So, how should I go about ...

definitely not an expert... and I will have to look at the LHS or maybe michaels.,.. there is a "rubbing compound" type stuff that burnishes a material a certain metallic color... my mom used to use it on ceramics and plastics with her crafts...

That with a light bluish, then a light marinish/aqua wash would give that same effect I think... with a little red up near the origin of the exhaust just because the rub is kinda waterproof whch would produce the 'mottled' effect that exhaust has...

Like I said someone more experienced might be able to answer this better, but I have seen the same effect done on other materials, just need to check tomorrow to see if it will work on model plastic...

here's how to replicate it on SHEET METAL: take a small butane torch, heat the middle until it oxidizes. that's the effect you want to duplicate. paint the whole thing 1 color, dry brush various shades of silver, then drybrush a LITTLE rust. that may work

QUOTE: Originally posted by MusicCity So, how should I go about painting this? It's a can on an F-4C at Arnold AFB in Tullahoma, TN. The cans on my model are molded pretty much that way. I'd like to reproduce that heat discoloration but I'm not sure how to go about it. BTW, I took the picture today and there are about a dozen more On This Page

ok heres my take Music... barrowing your post for the pic...
Ok see the rusty looking color of the really heat tortored metel on the inside feathers... first hit them with red brown tamiya, let cure. Dry brush with a dark silver enamel, let cure red brown again but in a really wet sludge wash (use sparingly) let cure very dry brush bright silver enamel and let cure. Dont go back and forth on this, youll wind up with a silvery mud color. just do the steps.
For the outside feathers Humbrol buffable steel (if ya cant find it MM steel), let cure and buff. Dry brush with enamel silver and youll have it.
Hope this helps.
-Jeff

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I'll see what I can do with them.

actually I like Woodbecks idea better, but can't help thinking a little MM Burnt Metal enamel would be a good wash or drybursh in there somewhere. It's about the same color as the right side of very center fin in the forefront of the picture, and almost the entire outer feather directly below it......... maybe just hit an individual feather with a dry brushing of it here and there towards the tips...

You can use burnt metal too, it'll work

They are sprayed MM Stainless Steel metalizer right now, I did that before I took the pix of the real thing. I've got some burnt iron somewhere, and I think I have some rust. I'll come up with something that will look decent based on our help.

Thanks guys.

Scott

For rust, you might try Rust All. It seems (to me at least) to be somewhat easier to use and control than regular paint (either acrylic or enamels) and so far it hasn't lifted the base paint surfaces I've used it over.

Thanks, Quincy, I appreciate that. The cans can go on pretty much any time so I'm evaluating my options right now . I've still got a LOT to do on this bird, so I may keep putting it off until the end.

great! I'm anxious to see the end result... let us know when you get it done and post a pic!

I will, just don't get in any hurry 'cause I'm slow as molasses. The F-105 I finished last month took a bit over 300 hours and I'm only about 100 into this one

haha sounds like me... doing one for my dad so trying to take my time (whoever heard of a canopy in two halves along the midline? nice seam right down the middle trying to cure... of course I just found Edouard just released a PE kit for it so I am contemplating just ditching it and getting another...

I am just curious to see how you finally do it... am contemplating a jet build soon and could use some ideas on the same.

good luck!

Never seen one with a canopy in two halves, but I did bombers when I was a kid so I've done the noses with lots of panes in them. Some canopies do have a metal strip down the center, typically those with side-by-side seating like the A-6. I just don't understand why they would mold it like that though.

I have a feeling this will be a multiple attempt paint job. I just don't think I'm going to like the first few attempts

I think the sheet metal think it on the right track. Maybe apply some BareMetalFoil, then heat it up do that the metal will discolor itself a little.