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Auto paints

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  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Second City
Auto paints
Posted by arki30 on Friday, July 1, 2005 11:43 AM
Ok, need some help on paint selections for car models. As I primarily use acrylics on aircraft models, I'm slightly clueless on paint types/applications for car models.

I'm looking for a high-gloss finish, so I'm assuming enamels are a better choice for this. If that assumption is correct, what's the best way to go to achieve that result?

Do you buff the paint before application of a clear gloss coat or buff after? Or buff at all? Which manufacturer has the better paint selection or products for this type of work?

As you can tell, I'm just fishing for other experiences/opinions from those of you who have done this before.

Thanks for any light that can shed on this.

Building Now:

1/48 Academy Bf-109G6 - 100%

1/48 Tamiya F4U-1A - 5%

Upcoming:

1/48 Revell F-14D

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: coastal Maine
Posted by clfesmire on Friday, July 1, 2005 2:15 PM
Automotive lacquers almost all the time on car models. With an occassional job with fingernail polish. (great gloss with them) Clear coat with gloss lacquer as well. Never unhappy. One word of caution, prime. Some plastics react badly to lacquers without a primer.
Here's a tutorial, check out his results:
http://www.briansmodelcars.com/tutorials/tutorial.asp?TutorialID=12&CurPage=1
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Second City
Posted by arki30 on Friday, July 1, 2005 4:09 PM
That's what I'm talking aboutmSmile [:)]! Nice tutorial link Thumbs Up [tup].

When you say automotive lacquers, do you mean literally paints bought at an automotive store? Or lacquers made by Tamiya or Testors for auto models?

I building one car model and that's probably all I'll ever do so I don't want to break the bank with a bunch of new products I'll never use again. Small quanities is what I'm looking for.

Building Now:

1/48 Academy Bf-109G6 - 100%

1/48 Tamiya F4U-1A - 5%

Upcoming:

1/48 Revell F-14D

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: coastal Maine
Posted by clfesmire on Friday, July 1, 2005 6:54 PM
I buy the lacquers directly from the auto supply houses. Even the small bottles of touch-up paint will do a whole model and the thinner by the gallon is way cheaper (and usually better) than model supply thinners. Sometimes they will have close-outs on colors that don't sell very good. Also, body shops may have half gallons and quarts that they will give away (whoa, big plus there eh?) since they rarely do the same color more than once. Check out other bulk (in model terms) items like mask, sanding paper and polishes that model places only give you very small amounts for similar prices.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Second City
Posted by arki30 on Friday, July 1, 2005 10:59 PM
Ah, hadn't thought about the touch-up paint idea. Thanks, appreciate the insight.

Building Now:

1/48 Academy Bf-109G6 - 100%

1/48 Tamiya F4U-1A - 5%

Upcoming:

1/48 Revell F-14D

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