Many NMF questions

Based upon my limited work with NMF I would reccommend the following:

1. Alcad metallic finishes - They are expensive but seem to give the best finish. (you can also mask over them). If you don't want to go to that expense, I would say to go with Model Master metallic finishes. (biggest problem is you can't really mask over them and they need to be sealed when finished) Either can be found at any good LHS or on-line.

2. Alcad requires a gloss black primer to get the best finish (I've used Krylon Gloss Black from the hardward store and it worked well). Model Master can be painted over primer, paint or plain old plastic. The primer or paint should be smoothed with very fine sandpaper because it's going to show any blemishes in the surface it's applied to (Alcad will also show any blemishes - silver coverings tend to do that)

3. I haven't buffed any Alcad as I felt it wasn't needed. Model Master comes in buffable and non-buffable colors.

4. Airbrushing is directed for both products (you spray them directly out of the bottle)

As far as being hard, it probably isn't any harder than airbrushing any other covering, as long as you follow the directions.

Hope this has helped a little

1. Alclad II, any hobby shop worth its salt

2. i recommend using alclad gloss black base (very easy to use), sanding......no

3. no, but a couple of coats of future over the final finish brings out an extra shinny metal surface

4. yes, cept you don't have to thin it, just shake and bake, and shake often.

Thanks a lot. I appreciate it. I want to paint an f-86 but i have no experience with NMF so thanks a lot.

just one more thing before you break out the primer, ANY surface blemishes will SCREAM if not addressed before the paint job gets applied. thats what makes metal finishes kinda intimidating to begin with, so you may want to do some spot priming along seams and sanded areas so you can catch those pesky scratches and such before the gloss black gets applied. plain old grey paint works well to do this with if you don't have some sort of primer available. good luck. later.

Thanks, again.