Search found 192 matches

by Thomas E. Johnson
Sun Jul 30, 2017 6:04 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Source For Ultra High Quality LEDs???
Replies: 14
Views: 22003

Re: Source For Ultra High Quality LEDs???

And make sure you are placing them in such a way that they're not overheating as that is death to LEDs. It'll kill a diode faster than overpower it. And how does one achieve that, the way in which the LEDs get placed is pretty much dictated by the model itself? What about securing them in place? I ...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sat Jul 29, 2017 8:27 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: EL Sheets
Replies: 2
Views: 7251

Re: EL Sheets

I got some and experimented. I'm dropping that idea has the stuff just isn't bright enough and has way to low a lifespan.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sat Jul 29, 2017 8:25 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Source For Ultra High Quality LEDs???
Replies: 14
Views: 22003

Re: Source For Ultra High Quality LEDs???

I've begun ordering my LEDs from HDA Modelworks now, as I've been given good references about the quality and sourcing of his LEDs.

I'll probably get some from that model railroad supplier linked above also.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sat Jul 29, 2017 8:22 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Source For Ultra High Quality LEDs???
Replies: 14
Views: 22003

Re: Source For Ultra High Quality LEDs???

And make sure you are placing them in such a way that they're not overheating as that is death to LEDs. It'll kill a diode faster than overpower it. And how does one achieve that, the way in which the LEDs get placed is pretty much dictated by the model itself? What about securing them in place? I ...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:05 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Source For Ultra High Quality LEDs???
Replies: 14
Views: 22003

Source For Ultra High Quality LEDs???

I've been buying the prewired for 12v LEDs from Oznium.com now for many years, I've now had about 15-20 of them fail in the last several projects I've used them in, MONTHS after being tested, installed, and working fine, ruining my projects. I know I'm not over volting them as they are designed for ...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Tue Jul 04, 2017 8:18 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: EL Sheets
Replies: 2
Views: 7251

EL Sheets

I'm thinking of doing the Raytheon effect for the flood/spot lights on a 1/350 refit, and want to use this stuff to backlight the whole area(s). Where can I buy it in the sizes & shapes I'll be needing? I haven't used the stuff since the mid 90's....
by Thomas E. Johnson
Fri Sep 16, 2016 7:53 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Odorless Mineral Spirits Changing the Color of Paint....
Replies: 17
Views: 26800

NCC1966 wrote:Very weird! However, seems that you have your issue solved!

:D
Well the colors are now close enough to where I can accept that the difference is the result of the surfaces being steel, and the other painted wood.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:46 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Odorless Mineral Spirits Changing the Color of Paint....
Replies: 17
Views: 26800

Double post
by Thomas E. Johnson
Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:45 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Odorless Mineral Spirits Changing the Color of Paint....
Replies: 17
Views: 26800

Model Master is an excellent brand. I love it and currently is my favorite. Now it's possible that a clear coat give the darkening effect (specially the glossy) but actually it will be acting over all colors and not only this blue. It does mean that the balance of colors will be altered. In any cas...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Wed Sep 14, 2016 4:17 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Perfect Plastic Putty
Replies: 31
Views: 75210

irishtrek wrote:
Thomas E. Johnson wrote: Vallejo Acrylic Plastic putty is also similar, but thinner, and works great also.
Is this sold in hobby shops and if so does hobbytown carry it or is it also sold on line???
Some shops carry it. You can order it from Megahobby also. It is a regularly stocked item for them.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Tue Sep 13, 2016 1:54 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Perfect Plastic Putty
Replies: 31
Views: 75210

I first learned about this stuff from Trekworks YouTube videos, and I've seen it mentioned elsewhere. I bought some of it and I use it (it is British made). It works great and I like it a lot. Megahobby.com carries it. I use it for medium gap work, and now use Tamiya putty for smaller seam work. Val...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Tue Sep 13, 2016 12:35 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Odorless Mineral Spirits Changing the Color of Paint....
Replies: 17
Views: 26800

Certain pigmentation have more coverage power than others. One of the characteristics that make it happens is the amount of solid particles the paint has (that's why metallic paints has an excellent coverage). Enamel paints are made out of a base clear with pigment added to it. It means that the qu...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sun Sep 11, 2016 6:18 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Odorless Mineral Spirits Changing the Color of Paint....
Replies: 17
Views: 26800

It only did it with the Deck Blue (very dark blue). Tried several bottles of it also. It didn't do it with the other two colors.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Thu Sep 08, 2016 6:33 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Odorless Mineral Spirits Changing the Color of Paint....
Replies: 17
Views: 26800

"It has been about 20 years since I've used and airbrushed them" That is probably your answer right there. Your lucky you even could use a 20 year old bottle of enamel! Get some fresh paint and try again. I am also a big advocate for using the manufacturer's thinners. I know it costs more...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Thu Sep 08, 2016 4:29 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Odorless Mineral Spirits Changing the Color of Paint....
Replies: 17
Views: 26800

Odorless Mineral Spirits Changing the Color of Paint....

I'm using enamel paints (MM) for the most part on my 1/200 Missouri. It has been about 20 years since I've used and airbrushed them. I thinned the Deck Blue with odorless mineral spirits for airbrushing, but it appears to have changed the color of the paint. More correctly, it seems to have lightene...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Wed Sep 07, 2016 7:31 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Appearance of Painted Wood Decks vs. Painted Steel Decks
Replies: 6
Views: 12677

Yeah - I guess in a YUUUGE scale kit, it would work. You will probably have to overcoat it with something to darken the deck a little, or maybe fade the hull color a litter to look a bit more worn..? I thought about whethering the model, but not quite sure how to create the desired effects in such ...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Mon Sep 05, 2016 11:03 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Appearance of Painted Wood Decks vs. Painted Steel Decks
Replies: 6
Views: 12677

I can't say much about the pre-stained wood deck. One maker may get the color right while another misses it by a mile... Not a big fan of the whole "real wood" deck thing anyway, since it doesn't really look that scale (remember the graying effect - with range). For small scale stuff yeah...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Mon Sep 05, 2016 8:59 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Appearance of Painted Wood Decks vs. Painted Steel Decks
Replies: 6
Views: 12677

Well - there are several factors involved, the base tone of the material (wood vs steel), the surface texture and the fact that the wood will absorb some of the paint. I would expect the deck to be a little lighter than the steel sides and superstructure and the deck would look a little rougher in ...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sun Sep 04, 2016 3:56 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Appearance of Painted Wood Decks vs. Painted Steel Decks
Replies: 6
Views: 12677

Appearance of Painted Wood Decks vs. Painted Steel Decks

In my experience with real wood, when painted with the same color paint as steel or fiberglass, it still has a different color and appearance than the latter, different color reflectivity I guess. Would this also have been true on ships like US BBs during WWII, that had wooden decking painted with t...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sun Sep 04, 2016 3:53 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Is there a new Old Silver?
Replies: 5
Views: 10376

I wouldn't be surprised if they started reintroducing those colors, only in the Ayrcl formula. For a lot of navy colors, I've had to switch back to enamels, because the acrylics I'm unable to source by the bottle in the US. Lifecolor being an example. Can't by the individual colors by the bottle, bu...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sat Aug 20, 2016 5:16 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Airbrush Dilemma.
Replies: 13
Views: 20197

I have the Iwata-Medea High Performance Hi Line CH Dual Action Large Gravity Feed Cup airbrush that is listed in the initial posted question. It is the brush that I use for medium areas and fine detail work. I have never had any issues with using ANY type of paint through it. Cleaning it is also inc...
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sun Aug 14, 2016 8:15 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Painting Pippets
Replies: 13
Views: 29548

I ordered a pack of these.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Fri Aug 12, 2016 7:40 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: How to clean an airbrush real quick?
Replies: 7
Views: 13976

I flush it out with lacquer thinner or acetone. Takes about a minute and cleans it thoroughly.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Fri Aug 12, 2016 7:36 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Painting Pippets
Replies: 13
Views: 29548

Painting Pippets

I've been using Testors paint Pippets and they are garbage quality wise. Always split open on the first use. Can anyone recommend a brand and source that is of much higher quality?
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sat Mar 02, 2013 5:52 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Acreation model, did he disapear with my money?
Replies: 6
Views: 7495

He posted on FB last night that he was let go by Hobby Lobby, so I'm sure he will have the time now to get back to his business.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Fri Mar 01, 2013 8:23 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Acreation model, did he disapear with my money?
Replies: 6
Views: 7495

He has gone to work for Hobby Lobby, and has been pulling double OT shifts for the last few weeks.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sun Aug 05, 2012 4:54 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Enamel Paints
Replies: 17
Views: 15915

irishtrek wrote:Almost any paint has little tiny clumps and will eventualy clog ones airbrush.
I've yet to have that issue with Tamiya acyrlics.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sun Aug 05, 2012 4:53 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Enamel Paints
Replies: 17
Views: 15915

Kylwell wrote:They just clump on the odd occasion. Vallejo does it also, once you've opened them. Sometimes a vigorous shaking can emulsify them but it's just safer to run them through a strainer.
I always stir my paints heavily.
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sun Aug 05, 2012 4:05 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Enamel Paints
Replies: 17
Views: 15915

Tamyia and Polyscale acrylics are my preferred paints.

Since straining the MM enamels has been brought up, can I take that to mean they are not a fine pigment grind?
by Thomas E. Johnson
Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:03 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Enamel Paints
Replies: 17
Views: 15915

Enamel Paints

Its been over 20 years since I last used enamel paints as I couldn't stand them. They clogged my airbrush regularly no matter how much I thinned them, and smelled really bad and gave me headaches even in a ventilated area.. I prefer acrylics for models, with a good lacquer primer underneath. Now I s...