My 1st build 1/48 Tamiya Douglas A-1J Skyraider

[Guest]

thanks mate, got a couple of noob questions now I'm just about upto decaling it.

Now I some stuff called carr's transfix I bought the paints the shop owner suggested I use it to put on the decals after they're on the model to help stick properly.

I've also been reading about clear coating models but have also seen that johnsons floor polish mentioned as well.

My understanding is I need to paint the whole model with clear coat before I apply the decals to give them a better surface to go on.

I gather once the decals are on I put on the transfix, when do I use the floor polish or do I really need floor polish at all.

Also once the decals are on and dried do I then paint the model with clear coat before I weather it?.

Sorry about the stupid questions

[Dave W]

You don't really need 'Johnsons Kleer' floor polish.We only use it because it works out a lot cheaper than the little bottles of clear gloss varnish.You need to give the model a coat of gloss clear before applying the decals.If you put them on a matt finish they won't settle properly and the carrier film will be visible.Which looks horrible and ruins the look of the model.After the decals have dried coat them with some more gloss varnish to protect them during weathering.Now you can weather the model.After weathering give the model a couple of light coats of a good quality matt clear coat.If you are brush painting you might only need one coat to cover the model.I would strongly recommend using Vallejo matt clear if you can get it.It gives great results every time.Its acrylic but you can paint it over enamel or acrylic finishes and just wash your brush in water after.

The method above is how I finish my models.Other people may do it differently.

[Guest]

Thanks for that Dave I'm only painting in acrylics

[Guest]

Just about finished only have to give it another coat of clear and stick on the canopy will post some pics once I've done this. I am stoked by the way I did the decals normally I suck really bad but these ones turned out not too bad.

[mossiepilot]

A cracking looking Skyraider Wayne, better than my first efforts.

Lets see it when all complete.

Tony.

[Guest]

airbrushing opens up alot of possibilities that you just cannot duplicate with a brush.... using an airbrush totally changed model building for me.... I still brush paint detail work... but do 95% of my painting with an airbrush..... once you get used to using a double action airbrush, you really have an uncanny level of control.... not to mention all iof the paint that you can use ...