Okay, so model is ready to be painted. Just checking correct order..

1) Finish model. (Well, for this me)
2) Paint model.
3) Apply decals
4) Paint clearcoat (future)
5) Apply wash
6) Sit back and enjoy my first time masterpiece???

Thanks!

Hehe.
I thought the "Finish model" would be last!

Seriously. I´d add a coat of future also before decals. They attach better and there will be less decal silvering.
After washes I would add drybrushing to bring up the details.
Also, you might want to apply a flat coat before weathering effects alike mud or dust.
I assume you make land-based vehicles?

1) Finish model. (Well, for this me)
2) Paint model.
3) Clearcoat
4) Apply decals
5) Paint clearcoat (future)
6) Apply wash
7) Drybrushing
8) Matt coat
9) Weathering
10) Sit back and enjoy my first time masterpiece???



Welcome to the site!

Toni

As Envar noted put the clear coat on before the decals.
The clearcoat is a smooth finish and give decals a nice flat even surface to adhere to. This will reduce or eliminate silvering of the decals.

hi you have missed out two important basic steps , after the model is completed it must be washed in soapy water to remove all the dirt , and waxy deposites left behind , after it has dried then it must be primmed in a light grey or black primer , to seal everthing and check nothing nasty shows up , then on to the rest of te steps cheers ian

Howdy Azarius,

First off, let me extend a hearty welcome to the site! How are things in the 'Great White North'?

...O.K., how's about another wrench of a suggestion?
Instead of using standard primer as your 'primer coat', use Testor's metalizer instead. Then when you get to the 'wear & tear' part of your weathering you just a Q-tip to gently rub off the top coat down to the metalizer undercoat and actually have real wear.

Tread.

Just thought I'd stir things up......pardon the pun.

if u are building a plane.
put the deacls on before puting on landing gear.
and the prop and all the small stuff.
it makes it easyer to put the decals on cause then u dont have all that stuff to worry about i a also do the wash and theflat coat before all teh small stuff goes on

Wow, thanks for the quick responses guys!

Its an M3 Stuart that I'm working on... Its all nice and green, sitting at me there, just begging to be finished.

As this is my first attempt at 1) Washes and 2) Clearcoats and 3)Drybrushing, I'm not really keeping my hopes up.

But everyone has to start somewhere, right?

Don't worry Azarius...........one tank at a time...


Tread.

Okay, basic paint is done... *whew*

Now to apply the decals.

So I've got this small patch of decals (4"x4") with a bunch of decals crammed together... Hints and tips for putting them on? And what is 'silvering'?

Should I put the clearcoat just on the areas where I'll be doing the decals?

Thanks guys!

Well if you are going to do washes judging by what people have said here id say gloss (Same thing as clear right?) Coat the whole thing then do what you need to do.

Silvering is when you put a decal on and the excess shows up with a clear shiny effect which I think doing gloss decal then flat coat makes the silvering not show up.

what you need to do is hold the decal sheet up to the light, you will see a transparant film around each decal when you cut the decal off cut as much of this transparant film off,then soak the decal in water i usually do it till the backing paper looks soaked then i take the whole lot to the model the decal should slide onto the model I use a Qtip to nudge it into place, dont worry about any excess water a tissue will get rid of it.Now the decal is in place i usually press it gently with the Q tip to firm it down.If you are putting the decal over raised detail you may need a setting product Ive never used them so I cant offer any help on them Im sure someone will help on that. hope this helps.

1. I used Testors decal set on my last build. I followed the directions (!) and all the decals came out OK.
2. The one thing I find I must come up with is some sort of cradle to gently but securely hold the model while I am decalling it. Yes, I have broken bits off while trying to hold the model in place and decal it at the same time.(mirrors, light brackets, antenna's take it tough. Of course all that kind of stuff could go on after the decals, but that would require PLANNING.)
capnjock

IMHO, if this is an AFV i work on, i always use matt coat, and matt coat and matt coat.
Nothing clear. Off course this is my way.
And for the decals, if you have some complicated surfaces like zimmerit, etc.. (i guess no such place on an M3), i suggest you to use, "Microset" & "Microsol" sets of Microscale.
It really works.
Happy modelling