advice on working with pearls

I'd like to add just a little here.

I wipe down my models with Isopropyl Alcohol after the bath, right before I get ready to spray it.

Also I use a primer coat before spraying, especially any translucent or pearl type paints. Usually with the more translucent paints I use either silver, gold or sometimes white as my basecoat depending on the final shade I'm shooting for.

modelbuilder;

Ensure you have an entirely clean surface to paint on. Give your car a bath with mild detergent and let it dry overnight. Wear gloves (Latex type or similar) to check after it dries for any remaining deposit or grit. Check your seams etc. Once you've done the inspection and everything is set. Place your can of pearl in a container of warm tap water (Not Boiling) amd let it sit for a few minutes. Once the time has elapsed give the can a good shake and you're ready to go. Start and finish your spray off the model and mist the coats on evenly. Don't try and cover it all in one pass or one session. You can wet sand any drip marks out in between coats once dry. Continue the spray process until you acheive the finish and depth of finish you're looking for.

There are great articles in the back issues of FSM you may want to read. Or you could pay a visit to the sister magazine Scale Auto Modeler and view some posts on the forum there.

Hope this helps.

Cheers;

Gregory