Alclad

[Ian M]

I think the only reason Alclad says to use a black base, Gloss for shiny metal and mat for the rest is two fold. The first being that the colours are matched/designed over a black base, which is only really needed if you want a more accurate colour metal. Second I find that the effect builds quicker over a black base coat. Not that I use black all the time either.

The only real test will be to do a couple of test paints with the same final coat given over differing base coats. Even then I think the differences will be hard to photograph.

Which ever way you go for a base coat the result will be great.

I have just noticed that on the shiny metal lacquers, it no longer says use over Alclad Gloss black base. It just says use over any gloss black paint......

Ian M

[Dave W]

I've bought Alclad 'Aircraft Aluminium' and Gloss Black base.Total outlay of around £12.So i shall be using them together.As im an Alclad novice ,so will post my success/failures on the forum.

[stona]

Hi Dave,make sure you give the base coat plenty of time to dry. Alclad is quite "hot" and may damage an uncured undercoat. Mist the Alclad on and build up the metallic effect gradually.

The painting part really is easy,you sink or swim on the preparation!

Cheers

Steve

[Dave W]

Thanks for the advice steve.Dont know when i will get round to trying it out as we are close to moving house.So i will have to put the modelling to one side whilst i sort out the new house.The good thing about moving is i will be upgrading from a draughty shed to a concrete garage for my modelling room.

[Guest]

Another thing Dave - not sure what the other guys do but I run my compressor at a lower pressure than I would normaly do , with the pigments being so fine the alclad comes out of the airbrush like water ( hence why its so good and expensive ) as you know a gloss black base coat is needed to get the true colour but you can also go over just primer or whatever base coat then go over with an aclad colour but it will come out a duller finnish I`m sure you will work it out for yourself mate but as Steve has said its all in the prep work to get a nice result ,

Good luck with the move ,

Cheers

Richy

[Ian M]

Good catch Richard, Alclad does need a low pressure otherwise you will empty the airbrush in two seconds flat and wonder where all that paint went...and then you look up.

to save a lot of time and money, before spraying the lacquers play with the air pressure using water. its about the same viscosity! Dont forget to blow all traces of water out before putting the Alclad in the cup!!! ;-)

Ian M

[yak face]

Quote "Useless info #2 PTFE is the only surface a Gekko cant walk up. its that slippery. that being said why do my pancakes always bloody stick to the pan!!! " So thats why i never have any trouble with sticking when i fry a gekko ! MMMM! Gekko!

[stona]

According to my pressure gauge,not particularly exact,I spray Alclad at about 12-15psi,but as Ian said have a play.

Steve