Decaling Over Enamel Metalizer Paints

I recommend to thin enamel paints with airbrush thinner and to clean the airbrush with just plain thinner (aka mineral spirits, aka petrolleum distilates). Enamels brush on very well. Remember to clean brushes with thinner and occasionally wash with mild dish detergent and warm water. Make sure you seal the Metalizers with Metalizer sealer. Some Metalizer paints can be brushed on, such as burnt metal, but aluminum is not one of them. It does not need to be thinned for airbrushing since it is airbrush ready. You can still use Future prior to decals or another clear gloss finish whether it be acrylic, enamel, or lacquer.

EDIT: Buffable colors should not be brushed on.

If you mean Model Master Metalizers, do not thin them. They are thin enough as is.

Ditto on using the Metalizer sealer product. I guess it's a lacquer gloss coat not really sure but I do like it alot and it sprays good. I thin it around 40/60 with lacquer thinner and use it many times on normal paints too not just metalizers. Decals go on it very well in my experience.

EDIT: One metalizer tip: They look great when sprayed on but avoid handling the parts. It rubs off VERY VERY easily even after it's dry. Put the sealer on as soon as possible. It's a lacquer based paint so it dries very fast. You can put the sealer on within 15mins.

I spray on the metalizer paint and then either spray or hand brush on a coat of Future, then the decals and then another coat of Future. This gives a slight shine to the final finish, but not a real high gloss. As I-beam said, the metalizer paints are very soft and rub off easily. Handle the model as little as possible until you get a coat of sealer on it. I usually use the buffing metalizers and then buff the different panels varying amounts. I have found that the MM Metalizer sealer reacts with the paint a little bit and evens this buffing difference out so as to be barely noticeable, if at all. Future does not do this.

Darwin, O.F.