The best results I've had using Aqua gloss have been straight from the bottle, low PSI, and moving slow in my strokes to get it REALLY wet. I get the smoothest finish that way. A heavy layer with this stuff works great for me. I tried seveal light layers but never did get it right.

BK

plasticjunkie

Gamera

Aqua Gloss on the other hand sprays smooth from the get go. Just make sure to cycle enough water thru the ab to clean it otherwise it will lock up the needle in the tip if left sitting for too long so keep it moving.

 

Sorry for popping in here but I've been following the thread with hopes of joining at some point. My question is do you guys thin the Aqua Gloss or shoot it straight from the bottle?

Gamera

Try next time using a wide soft brush but make sure to let some of the Future run down the side of the bottle. I lightly touch the inside of the bottle with the bristles to bleed off excess Future. You don't want to flood the area, then brush to cover the model. You can re coat within a few minutes cause it dries fairly quickly. I do this several times to build up the gloss finish which comes out super smooth.

Aqua Gloss on the other hand sprays smooth from the get go. Just make sure to cycle enough water thru the ab to clean it otherwise it will lock up the needle in the tip if left sitting for too long so keep it moving.

For the canopies I use Simoniz Swirl Remover applied with a q tip then removed with an old cotton t shirt. This stuff is great as it removes any scratches or junk. I then dip it in Future and the clarity magnifies several times once dry in a few minutes. 

Mongoose: Nice work there on the EA-6! You sure you don't have anything else you could join us with? Would love to have you along. 

That's interesting PJ, I've had the same results with Future sprayed, it always created horrible orange peel with me as well. Spraying it on more heavy and it ran and I ended up with big drips on the bottom of the model. I haven't tried brushing it on. It's great stuff for dipping canopies but otherwise I avoid using Future for anything modeling related. 

Theuns

"Just shot several coats of Aqua Gloss on both Phantoms"

 

How does the Aqua gloss compare to brushed on future? Usualy I also do the future thing but over matt enamel it takes allot of coats and sanding to get smooth.

 

Theuns

 

Aqua Gloss goes on smooth and even when sprayed. For some reason, when I spray Future it goes on pebbly so I hand brush several coats for a glass smooth finish.

BK

Are you doing the Academy F-4B?

"Just shot several coats of Aqua Gloss on both Phantoms"

How does the Aqua gloss compare to brushed on future? Usualy I also do the future thing but over matt enamel it takes allot of coats and sanding to get smooth.

Theuns

Finally, today I began work on my F-4B VF-111 Sundowners. As soon as the pit is painted I will post up some pics.

BK

Ok, an Honorable Mention for Mongoose on his completed, seperately, EA-6B. Very nice work. 

TheMongoose

 Something from the Thunderbirds I think...

 

BK

Ok, I'll take an honorable mention on this one! Will pick something from my stash after  I finish the F-82 Twin Mustang I'm working on now. Something from the Thunderbirds I think...

Just shot several coats of Aqua Gloss on both Phantoms. I usually brush on several coats of Future but that takes a lot of time specially working on two F4s. I also got all the weapons painted.

Decals and weathering will be next.

TheMongoose

I would like to submit my EA-6B Prowler. Just finished it in July so I think that fits the bill?

 

BK

I would like to submit my EA-6B Prowler. Just finished it in July so I think that fits the bill?

@Cliff and BrandonK,

Thank you for the comments.

@Thuens,

I feel for you on the fit issue, but, it looks like you have it sorted out. Great job! 

I was close to putting it in the box again. The problem is that I made a commitment to myself that I will not start another kit till it is done ! 

Theuns

Theuns

Man the fit on thos kit is lacking! I wonder why they didn't just have 2 fuse halves instead of the 3 they have here.

I managed to wrangle the fuse together but I will have to do allot of filling and sanding on the bottom. Lucky for me I got a new re-scribing river tool so it should be OK.

 

I am starting to think my odea of folding the rotor and the tail was to optimistic for this kit, I am not sure all that work will add to the overall improvement of the final result. Maybe just build it and move on.

 

 

Theuns

 

The kit is looking really good by the way.

BK

Bish

 

 

BrandonK

 

Bish

 

 

BrandonK

I think all these modern kits are gonna look so cool with all that armament hanging under the wings.

BK

 

 

 

 

Mine won't. No weapons, just fuel tanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AWWWWW that almost makes me want to dry.

Don't worry, i am sure i can make up for it.

 

BK

BrandonK

 

Bish

 

 

BrandonK

I think all these modern kits are gonna look so cool with all that armament hanging under the wings.

BK

 

 

 

 

Mine won't. No weapons, just fuel tanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AWWWWW that almost makes me want to dry.

Don't worry, i am sure i can make up for it.

Gamera

Bruce: Hey, she turned out sharp, nice work! I like Bish's idea there about the rod, I've stuff like that to keep models from sliding around on a base though not yet to keep a nose wheel down. 

Theuns: Ouch, that does look like a pain. Well, at least it's on the bottom where it won't be seen unless they pick up the model and flip her over. 

 

As i am sure you have noticed, all my models, whether dio or not, are on a base. I used to add nose weight to tail sitters and glue all models down. But most of the time i found i had not added enough weither to tail sits and glue alone was often not enough. So started adding rod to all aircrfat builds, both nose wheel and tail draggers.

Of course, it tok me a hand full of builds to realise i was still adding nose weight even though i was going to use a rod to hold the front down.

For tail draggers, i just add a rod to one of the main wheels. For those with a nose wheel, i add one to the nose gear and at least one to the main gear.

Bruce: Hey, she turned out sharp, nice work! I like Bish's idea there about the rod, I've stuff like that to keep models from sliding around on a base though not yet to keep a nose wheel down. 

Theuns: Ouch, that does look like a pain. Well, at least it's on the bottom where it won't be seen unless they pick up the model and flip her over. 

Man the fit on thos kit is lacking! I wonder why they didn't just have 2 fuse halves instead of the 3 they have here.

I managed to wrangle the fuse together but I will have to do allot of filling and sanding on the bottom. Lucky for me I got a new re-scribing river tool so it should be OK.

I am starting to think my odea of folding the rotor and the tail was to optimistic for this kit, I am not sure all that work will add to the overall improvement of the final result. Maybe just build it and move on.

Theuns

Bish

 

 

BrandonK

I think all these modern kits are gonna look so cool with all that armament hanging under the wings.

BK

 

 

 

 

Mine won't. No weapons, just fuel tanks.

 

Wow, Bruce!! That is really amazing. I love it. I love it so much I think I'll add one to the stash. Awesome sauce!!!

BK

Thanks, Bish!

Adding brass rod does sound like it would re-inforce the wheel much better. I have some brass rod, looks like I'll be creative this weekend.

That looks really nice Bruce, i do like the look of that.

I used to just glue my models to a base, but there is to much risk of it knocking off if jolted. So now i just drill a hole in the bottom of one wheel and glue a piece of brass rod in there, then a hole in the base and glue the rod into that. I have not had one come off yet and with a tail sitter it helps counter any pull on the glued front wheel.

For a backdrop i use a large piece of white card.

Thanks, GH! 

I was thinking of glueing the wheels to the base. But, I think I will investigate wiring the gear down. Thanks for the suggestion! 

Nicely done.  Wire down the gear on the stand and that solves that problem, or if you show it just off the base in flight.

The pics are great, good detail in them.

PJ,

I'm looking forward to seeing those 2 phantoms loaded out! 

Gentlmen,

I am done with the Predator, but, I still have to finish the base. Here are the pictures:

In my haste, I forgot the add balast in the front so it's a tail sitter. And one evening I over sprayed the Testors flat lacquer and it ran.  I know I'm a better modeler than that, so, I'm still a bit upset with myself. Other than those mistakes, I'm happy with the results. 

I'll look to finish the base in the next week, then take the final shots.

Also, how do you like the pictures? I purchased a new portable photo studio, and a point and shoot camera on the cheap. But, I do know the back drop needs to be changed. 

Comments and critiques are welcome! 

BrandonK

I think all these modern kits are gonna look so cool with all that armament hanging under the wings.

BK

 

Mine won't. No weapons, just fuel tanks.

I think all these modern kits are gonna look so cool with all that armament hanging under the wings.

BK