Search found 41 matches

by Harry Joy
Tue Mar 27, 2012 8:11 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Best thinner for enamels
Replies: 9
Views: 7525

I had no idea it was called paint thinner :tank: :doubt: :roll: I don't have a hobby shop near me and don't want to wait a month to use it. I read some where about useing mineral sprites. Plus it costs alot for thinner from hobby shops. So I was looking for a brand name of something I can get from ...
by Harry Joy
Tue Mar 27, 2012 6:23 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Best thinner for enamels
Replies: 9
Views: 7525

I always recommend using the thinners the manufacturer says to use, usually the same brand. You can deviate from this, but not all paints are the same - not even enamels, so you should say what brand you are using. Frankly, since you are learning to airbrush, I'd definitely use the right thinner. Do...
by Harry Joy
Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:05 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Future as setting solution
Replies: 9
Views: 9157

It work for smooth, regular surfaces with thin decals. Anything convoluted or thick decals and the decal won't conform to the surface. Not correct. Take a look at this mid-60s Monogram Helldiver I made last year, using 40 year old decals from the box. The decals were affixed with non-thinned Future...
by Harry Joy
Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:20 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Best flat finish yet!
Replies: 18
Views: 19497

Well heck-fire.... why didn't he say "Microscale Microflat" in the first place? I think everyone knows about this one. And no, it's not the best thing since sliced bread. It's OK, but not all that.
by Harry Joy
Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:35 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Best flat finish yet!
Replies: 18
Views: 19497

I too would love to know more as to where I can get this Microflat. I guess Google to the rescue since you're not ponying up on the product info. :? So how did you do at Google? I've looked twice for this on Google, and I'm quite good at coaxing things out of the search engine, but I didn't find th...
by Harry Joy
Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:55 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Best flat finish yet!
Replies: 18
Views: 19497

How about more information? Link? Manufacturer? Type, as in lacquer, enamel, acrylic?
by Harry Joy
Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:38 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Reviving dead spray paint cans
Replies: 8
Views: 6995

Hold it upside down and do a few short sprays. When I used Testor's rattle cans, I had to do that all the diddly-danged time. Never had to with Tamiya sprays.
by Harry Joy
Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:37 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Tamiya or Vallejo?
Replies: 6
Views: 8509

Vallejo is good paint, and I have a pile of it. I've used it for a long time and most of my models have Vallejo in there somewhere. That said, it's not durable. If you can get it to last without damage, you've got a knack that few have found with Vallejo. I know plenty of people who like it even mor...
by Harry Joy
Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:21 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: cleaning models
Replies: 4
Views: 5394

I run warm water over them, lightly, if needed. I dab off, shake off, any excess water and let them air dry. It's not something I do often.
by Harry Joy
Thu Oct 13, 2011 2:14 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Paint sandwiching - bad idea?
Replies: 6
Views: 6060

OK - gave it a test shot in a small area and all looks good! This will tone down the greys and give the effect I was looking for! Sweet.... Kev (Orion paint job - shots to follow...) You should be good then. The Tamiya sprays dry almost instantly. They cure in only slightly more time. Like really d...
by Harry Joy
Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:32 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: High density foam
Replies: 6
Views: 6623

There are a multitude of variables. You might do well to give more particulars, since there are so many varieties of foam and the end uses intended for each kind.
by Harry Joy
Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:05 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Micro Sol setting solution
Replies: 12
Views: 11371

I use Walthers Solvaset. Walthers is one of the very first hobby decal makers in the USA. (1932 IIRC) I now make all my own decals and I like Solvaset the best. Some say it's too hot but used right it's GREAT!.....only IMHO.... Solvaset has to be used with great discretion. I consider it the "...
by Harry Joy
Thu Aug 18, 2011 1:40 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Basics. Weathering. Washes
Replies: 186
Views: 740818

What cuts pastels??? Are they oil based? There are all sorts of pastels. Some are oil based, some are water based, some are standard chalks, some are colored pencil leads.... It should be apparent by it's own characteristics, if you are looking at a pastel in hand. If you suspect it's oil based, it...
by Harry Joy
Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:17 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Decal Issues
Replies: 7
Views: 9442

It was almost certainly your dull coat. What did you use?

It's an easy fix. Just do it again, whatever you used. Often one coat will frost, but a second of the same product will go clear and fix the first while simultaneously finishing the job.
by Harry Joy
Sun Aug 14, 2011 1:45 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Basics. Colors. Types of paint
Replies: 185
Views: 730355

White spirits would be most likely called mineral spirits in your local hardware store. Mineral spirits are very commonly used by the enamel guys.
by Harry Joy
Sun Aug 07, 2011 11:21 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Basics. Weathering. Washes
Replies: 186
Views: 740818

Still working my nerve up for oils. Not sure how to use the MiG pigments. Plus, I've become attached to Future and Tamiya flat base, so I'm not sure what those can take and what they can't. Plus, I'm still left needing to wipe away excess after the wash, so I'm not sure anything in shallow panel li...
by Harry Joy
Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:13 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Basics. Weathering. Washes
Replies: 186
Views: 740818

I tend to prefer water-based paints and so tried using watercolors for some of my earliest attempts at weathering. Frankly, IMO watercolors are teh suxxorz for weathering. I don't use them at all anymore for any stage or step in modeling. For weathering, I use an oil/pigment mix, pre-made by Mig bec...
by Harry Joy
Thu Aug 04, 2011 10:32 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Photo etched stainless steel buckles
Replies: 3
Views: 4696

I am primarily an airplane modeler, so I look at photoetch sets all the time, and I don't know of anything that just has buckles. However, lots of airplane modelers make their own all the time, out of fine wire [very common technique]. There are also lots of tutorials for making seat belts out of ma...
by Harry Joy
Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:20 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Paint issues
Replies: 3
Views: 4984

I've never used those particular sprays, but it looks like the metallic paint wasn't cured yet. If the paint was one you hadn't used before, maybe it doesn't dry like regular spray paints. Not uncommon, and it's not uncommon at all for paints like that to need more time.
by Harry Joy
Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:11 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Anyone know about these photoetch tools?
Replies: 4
Views: 4983

If you are interested in a PE tool like this, go with something known, like Etchmate. I don't EBay, but a quick look garnered this:

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=etch+mate+

Etchmate is a good, quality tool that will do the job, and last a long time.
by Harry Joy
Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:29 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Flat and Gloss Acrylics
Replies: 1
Views: 2253

Yes, you can.
by Harry Joy
Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:22 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Best way to create 'soft' camo lines
Replies: 5
Views: 4622

The easiest thing is to actually mask it. Soft camo is very easy to do, just use Blutak or the generic equivalent. You'll find it at any office supply place with the tape and such. It's used to hang posters, and it's a bit like Silly Putty. Roll it into thin strips, mask, and fill with tape.
by Harry Joy
Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:59 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Quick Q: Is this a metalic paint or no?
Replies: 2
Views: 3309

It's not metallic, it's a pearly hue. But that might be what you are thinking of as metallic.

I just Googled up this, which shows a model painted with it:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/inde ... opic=28248
by Harry Joy
Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:35 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: simulating tinted glass
Replies: 17
Views: 24865

The best product, as you can glean from above, would be Tamiya's Clear Yellow. You can use it straight or add it to some Future.
by Harry Joy
Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:59 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: White glue
Replies: 9
Views: 7276

Use a soft, wide brush. Future can be painted quite easily. It seems to go down a little thick like that, but it self levels and isn't quite so thick once dry. I don't think I'd try it in an old spray bottle on anything important without testing first. I brush it fairly frequently though.
by Harry Joy
Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:16 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Future floor polish's sheen? Advice needed?!
Replies: 5
Views: 5155

No, I wouldn't, not unless it's a real disaster. If you go to strip the Future, like I said, you'll end up having to do a total repaint. Total. Unless the orange peel is really bad, it's best to just live and learn, and maybe try a light coat over it tomorrow.
by Harry Joy
Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:59 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Future floor polish's sheen? Advice needed?!
Replies: 5
Views: 5155

Any orange peel means you laid it on a little too thick. It's best to just let that be, if it's in a manageable area. Trying to fix it could make it worse. Or... wait for it to dry entirely, a day or so, then hit that area with one more light, light coat.
by Harry Joy
Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:41 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Future floor polish's sheen? Advice needed?!
Replies: 5
Views: 5155

Nope, shouldn't look like a sheet of glass. It's just a very nice gloss coat. No, you don't need to thin it. I don't, but I know one fellow who does. Most don't. Yes, Windex will take it off, but it will take the underlying paint, too.

Sounds like you did it right.
by Harry Joy
Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:00 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Airbrushing and spray booths
Replies: 12
Views: 12652

Here is a great recent discussion on the subject of modeling and somewhat over-cautious preventive measures at Hyperscale. I know a number of these men posting in the discussion in the 1:1. Many of the posters in the thread are semi-professionals or twice my age - I have no problem taking their word...
by Harry Joy
Tue May 31, 2011 10:05 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Airbrushing and spray booths
Replies: 12
Views: 12652

I suggest trying it without the booth at first. Of all the modelers I know in the flesh, and I attend two separate clubs and hang out at a hobby shop regularly, one uses a spray booth. The only reason he does is to appease his wife. Spray booths are largely unnecessary. People seem to think that an ...