"Century series Jets" GB 2014-2015 * CLOSED *

No, do not thin the alclad, I use it as is and it works great . I shoot at between 12-15 psi and 1-2 " from model. I keep the A B at a low angle to the model to have a wider spray fan and get les streaking that way.

The trick for me is the glaoo black enamel base. Then build up the alclad in very thinb coats with 15min to flash off between coats.

Do not put lots of alclad on at a time , it will eat the plastic , even with other paints on it.

The first few coats looks like it is not doing anything, then only does it start to become lighter....

Tip is to go easy with it.

The more you put on the lighter it gets. I will shoot 2-4 coats to get a dark allu look, mask off pannels then shoot 3 more coats to get lighter pannels.

The tone difference looks good without using different alclads.

Invest in a set of micromesh sanding pads, they are crytical to getting a smooth surface. I use the 12000 to pollish the black before alclad.

Gloss black with 2 coats airframe allu....

SOme pannels masked off...

The result....

Thanks Theuns.  I don't think I had a good black gloss coat down.  Also, I think I sprayed too much Alclad on too quickly.  I do have the micro mesh pads.  I will use the pads to smooth the finish out and slowly add more coats of Alclad.

I sugest you sand smooth, re-do the gloss black and then only do the alclad. I have tried in the past to cover up mistakes with new alclad but it simply does not ide it. it keeps coming through.

Only option is to mask off the pannel and re-do it all.

Theuns

Hey all,

Sorry that I have not been on lately as we have had a death in the family and some other major things happening here. I will be back as soon as I can.

Doug

Doug,

We'll be waiting for you.  Hope all will be well with you and your family.

Scott

CF-104 in 1/72 scale.

I scratchbuilt the ejectors for the Snakeye bombs:

Front view:

Great work seasick.

I like it seasick...great job...AND as a Canadian..i love the RCAF theme..i'll post a pic later today..

Photo update on the front page!! Great work everyone!!

seasick -  The 104 looks sharp.  Well done.

Theuns - You are correct.  I should strip the plane down and start over.  Unfortunately, I've already used 2/3 of an oz. of the Alclad on the 107.  At $8.50 an ounce, I'm going to lightly sand it again for a second time and shoot one last coat of Alclad.  Hell, I've spent more on paint than the kit.  I do want it to turn out nice and I think it will.  It just won't have that mirror finish like your plane.  I will definitely heed your advice the next time I build a NMF plane.  Thanks.

Craig  

I know what you are talking about, here in SA the Alclad costs about $11 so I am also using it sparingly.

It is a pitty we do have hassles with it sometimes....but that is how we build experience ;-)

Theuns

Yep, this is my first NMF plane.  I didn't expect to win any competitions with it.  With that said, I do try to do the best I can.  Like you said, this is a learning experience.  I think it will look pretty cool when I'm done.   Thanks again for the advice.

Craig

Theuns

I know what you are talking about, here in SA the Alclad costs about $11 so I am also using it sparingly.

It is a pitty we do have hassles with it sometimes....but that is how we build experience ;-)

Theuns

I WILL do a NMF with Alcad this year. My goal. I gotta get into this as the results are epic. I'm sure, too, that I will have some teething pains. Also, as I hear the fumes are deadly, I'll wait till I can do the painting outside.

Deadly fumes??/ Well I ain't dead yet  LOL.

You guys n the first world with all the "health and safety" are regulated to death.... here in Africa we see it only as a suggeston  ;-)

Theuns

HA!!!! SOOO true, eh??? Yup, I need a full body suit, respirator and a friggin' fume extractor here!!! BUT, I'll die from other cancers cuz of our stupid processed food!!!

Here we let "stupidity" weed out the weak.

I miss good old fasioned "common sence" ....it seems it has been taken away from us and we need to be told exactly what to do all the time.

Theuns

Theuns

Deadly fumes??/ Well I ain't dead yet  LOL.

You guys n the first world with all the "health and safety" are regulated to death.... here in Africa we see it only as a suggeston  ;-)

Theuns

Isn't that the truth, drives me nuts.   I paint inside during the winter up here in  frozen north America. I  Just try not clean the AB out with lacquer thinner when the furnace is running,,  (2 meters from my bench) 

John

John, that could be a hazardous combo!

Must say I am blessed, here I spray in the garage with the door wide open, winter or summer. It only gets down to maybe a few deg's celcius below zero here in the winter.....I still hate it though, I am a summer boy :-)

Theuns

That's why I wait until it's done running,   don't want to get blown up just when the next step is decals!!!  It's warm today about 38 F  this time last year is was between -20 and -40 F Burrrrrrr!

John

Okay all I am back. Things are better.

Got some painting done and need touch-ups.

Doug

Those fuel tanks look nice.  How'd you get those nice lines?

Craig

Great amount of work there Doug..keep up the pace!!

flyerduke

Those fuel tanks look nice.  How'd you get those nice lines?

Craig

Thanks Craig. I used poster tack. I need to get some silly putty and try that.

Doug

Thanks Rob.

Doug

Well, I've made some progress over the past week.  However, it seems when I take 2 steps forward, I take a step back.  I finished shooting the Alclad (101) using damn near the whole 1 oz. bottle.  After a day and a half, I taped off the tail section and shot it metallic gray.  I was hoping for a little darker shade.  It's noticeable, so I'll live with it.  I sure the hell won't re-tape it and do it again.  And as you can see from the photos, I broke off one of the horizontal stabilizers while removing the tape.   Next comes the fun part.  Taping off the red portion of the scheme.  I can't wait!  This kit is really testing my patients.

Craig

Great story and effort Craig!! Geez, quite a struggle, but it is looking good though!! Keep at 'er, don't let it beat you (easy for me to say when I shut down and demolished my Hase F-106 ). Your colour variance worked out very well.

Thanks Rob.  The encouragement helps keep me going.

I'm glad..I'm struggling with my Hind right now too!!

I know the feeling of a kit fighting you all the way....but it sure is a great feeling once you beat it into submition.

Looking good though :-)

Theuns

Looking awesome there Craig. I am waiting for next month to get here so I can get some Alclad paint for another Group build. This will be the first time I have used it. Kinda worried about using it. Oh well it will be another learning experience.

Doug