Model Master Insignia Blue question???

xierramilan wrote:

Greetings all. IM working on a motorcycle project that one of the colors was a hard to find TS dark Blue. So I shopped around for dark blues and I seem to like Model Master Insignia Blue 35044 1/2(NK).  But this weekend, when I AB'd on the bike parts it came out as a flat color. What happened????

This is a flat paint.  Note the Fed-Std paint color you cite 35044.   The 3 indicates a flat paint,  2 is satin and 1 is gloss.

You can buff it with a piece of t-shirt material and it will shine up some, but not to a high gloss finish.

Your choices are: strip the paint and repaint with a gloss paint OR overcoat with a clear gloss.  (Try the ModelMaster Boyds Clear Gloss)

AWE MAN!!!!! I didnt need to hear that it was a flat paint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What would yawl do...strip it and start over, or put gloss clear coat on it? I've never stripped paint from plastic before...so im leaning towards spraying gloss on it...but im not sure if it will look good?

And say I do spray gloss on it, do I spray gloss on it before I put decals on, or after???

It is totally up to you.    What is it,  the tank & fenders or the frame parts?

If it is the frame -- I think I'd just overcoat it.    If it is the tank & fenders  where I'd want a flawless gloss - I think I'd strip.    A soak in Easy-Off Oven cleaner for an hour or two should do the trick.   Follow up with a brushing with a toothbrush & a good rinse (eye & skin precautions apply)

Your other alternative, which I thought of while typing this might be to use the flat blue as a primer coat.   Did the flat blue show up any seams or divots that need to be repaired?  Did the flat coat go on smooth and not hide details?   If you are otherwise satisfied with the quality of the flat paint application use it as a primer coat.   Obtain a gloss blue (look at the little square glass bottles of Testors paint  or look at the large rattlecans at Lowes/Home Depot or an auto parts store).   The paint in the little glass bottles airbrushes well when thinned properly.   Or you can decant some of the rattlecan paint into a small glass jar by spraying into the jar.    You can almost airbrush that without thinning.    Test on scrap first.

EdGrune wrote:

It is totally up to you.    What is it,  the tank & fenders or the frame parts? If it is the frame -- I think I'd just overcoat it.    If it is the tank & fenders  where I'd want a flawless gloss - I think I'd strip.    A soak in Easy-Off Oven cleaner for an hour or two should do the trick.   Follow up with a brushing with a toothbrush & a good rinse (eye & skin precautions apply) Your other alternative, which I thought of while typing this might be to use the flat blue as a primer coat.   Did the flat blue show up any seams or divots that need to be repaired?  Did the flat coat go on smooth and not hide details?   If you are otherwise satisfied with the quality of the flat paint application use it as a primer coat.   Obtain a gloss blue (look at the little square glass bottles of Testors paint  or look at the large rattlecans at Lowes/Home Depot or an auto parts store).   The paint in the little glass bottles airbrushes well when thinned properly.   Or you can decant some of the rattlecan paint into a small glass jar by spraying into the jar.    You can almost airbrush that without thinning.    Test on scrap first.

Its the tank and cowlings of the motorcycle. Funny...cause we must have been thinking about the same thing at the same time. I was going to ask if I could use the flat blue as a primer coat. I had already used primer on the bike, sanded the flaws I saw and then put the flat blue on. It came out really really nice. But so flat looking. But then I thought well hey, can I spray a gloss blue over the flat blue??? and I think you already answered that question for me!!! I think its what im a gonna do!!! So thanks for your help!!