Need help with Alclad, not getting different shades to show

Looking good!

Thanks again for the advice on the alclad.  I was able to achive the desired results with both of your help.  Here are a couple of pics to show the progress.

Thanks all.  Will try your suggestions.  I have done NMF before but not with Alclad so just have to get past the learning curve.  If all else fails, I will apply another thin coat of primer or gloss black or even dark grey on several different panels and shoot the alclad over that to get some different shades, or may just use some other NMF brands like some of the acrylics out there.

I agree with Mike.  Small differences in application make a big difference.  With their white aluminum it is not so sensitive, but with both the polished and just plain aluminum, the thickness of the coat is everything.  With either of those two colors I dial the paint flow way back, just slowly misting the paint on.  If you put on a very thin, translucent coating it will look pretty smooth and polished.  Just a slightly thicker coat looks different.

So I start with a very thin coat over everything.  I use Post-it notes for masking, so I can do second and third coats sooner and with less risk than with masking tape. But in any case, I mask off panels, and put down another very thin coat- it will look different. I sometimes then repeat for a third coat on just a couple of thin panels.

I use variation in the base coat for when I want to depict another alloy color tint, say a magnesium area among aluminums.

Sounds as if you're doing it right, but there are a couple variables that will influnce your results. Alclad metallics are very lightly pigmented, which is great for building a smooth semi-transparent to solid finish. The amount of the coating you use and the pressure you use both affect the final appearance. As you already know, it isn't necsssary to put down another black basecoat to get the variation in shade.

I suggest that you try some tests on a scrap model or sheet of styrene, working up thru pressure settings and amount of paint applied. What works for me, using a Paacshe Talon with a #2 tip is 15 -20 psi, applying light coats until I'm happy with the result. This sounds tedious, but if you mask with tape that has already been coated with your base color. it's a lot easier to appreciate the contrast in the secondary color(s) while you're painting.

Hope this will help. Happy modeling!

Mike