Questions using Alclad

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ArcadeKidd
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Questions using Alclad

Post by ArcadeKidd »

Hi All,

Two questions regarding Alclad.

1st, has anyone had success in polishing/buffing
out small imperfections after painting with alclad?
What did you use? Ultra fine sandpaper? Anyone
try Alclads polishing sheets?

2nd, is it possible to paint over alclad with water
based acrylics (tamiya)?

I'm doing a 1/48th scale aircraft that has some
squadron colours in red.

Thanks,
AK
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Kylwell
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Post by Kylwell »

Small imperfections will either be in the underlying paint or in the surface of the model itself. No buffing will get them out

Acrylics go over Alclad wonderfully.
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ArcadeKidd
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Post by ArcadeKidd »

Thanks much!

I tried the alclad sheets and they did ok. Basically a
very fine sand paper.
They imperfections I was talking about were very fine
lines from sanding. looks like I got them.

One more thing. As far as weathering with ground
up chalk pastels, am I better off doing it right on top
of the alclad, or should I seal it first with future??

I've found on other models that the pastels "catch"
better on paint than future.

Cheers,
AK
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Kylwell
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Post by Kylwell »

Pastels catch better on matte surfaces. Polished Alclad probably won't be the best surface.
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TER-OR
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Post by TER-OR »

Yes, I've buffed away imperfections like pet hair or small surface problems and then re-painted with Alclad. Weathering over it is tricky. I have applied a glaze of Future with India Ink. It settles into recesses great and makes looks excellent on nozzles etc.

http://starshipmodeler.com/other/tm_exyamato_Zero_2.jpg
On this, the engine is Alclad with the India Ink glaze to bring out the feathers etc.
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ArcadeKidd
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Post by ArcadeKidd »

Thanks for the advise guys!!

Cheers,
AK
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Post by Shinnentai »

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Dr. Yo
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Post by Dr. Yo »

Here is another Alclad question. I've used Tamiya gloss black laquer
instead of their brand ( It was reccomended by my local Hobby Shop )
and was wondering if a more generic gloss black would work as well...
and if using a different color of gloss laquer would produce any
iiIIiinteresting effects...
Last edited by Dr. Yo on Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Kylwell
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Post by Kylwell »

I've used both Tamiya gloss black and Alclad gloss black. Don't know what other base colors would do but I have noticed their Gold looks different depending on the base color.
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Post by Shinnentai »

I've heard that red makes a better base for gold than black, but I haven't had cause to test it myself yet.
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PetarB
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Re: Questions using Alclad

Post by PetarB »

ArcadeKidd wrote:2nd, is it possible to paint over alclad with water
based acrylics (tamiya)?
After coating Alclad with Future, I did a number of masks and coatings of Tamiya Smoke, and Clear Blue. Adhesion was perfect and maintained the Alclad metallic 'look'. Pic here.
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Post by TER-OR »

Ah yes, very nice work on the booster bells. I'll be trying that myself before long. Very subtle.
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starmanmm
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Post by starmanmm »

TER-OR wrote
I've buffed away imperfections like pet hair or small surface problems and then re-painted with Alclad.
What did you use? Sandpaper? And if so what grit?
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TER-OR
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Post by TER-OR »

I have some foam buffing pads - great stuff. I probably used the 8000 grit pads.
They're not these, but I think these would work.
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=AK301

I can't remember the brand I have, I get them at the model shop.
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starmanmm
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Post by starmanmm »

Thanks.

Sprayed a kit with some alclad and there are some rough spots.

My thinking is that if I can sand it smooth (with the 1500 or what ever) I can then re-spray it and should be out of the woods.

Sound right?
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PetarB
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Post by PetarB »

Anyone stripped Alclad of resin? With Tamiya spray black underneath. If so, I need some advice; what did you use?
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Post by Antenociti »

PetarB wrote:Anyone stripped Alclad of resin? With Tamiya spray black underneath. If so, I need some advice; what did you use?
simple green works fine, done this a few times with one particular model where the alcladII kept lifting off when removing the masking tape over the canopy..

ended up stripping the thing about 5 times before getting it right.

http://www.barrule.com/jeds/sci-fi/city%20hopper/5.jpg
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