The first question is.
how can i decide what kind of basecoat should i put on the airplane first.
should the whole airplane be covered in that basecoat.

The second question is.
after what coat should i preshade the plane.

3th question is.
what should i do after i preshaded the plane.

4th question is.
should i put clear coat after every layer i put on the plane.

if i will have some other questions i will write them later.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi Mclayne,

Since you're asking about basecoats and preshading, I'll assume you have some experience with an airbrush and more importantly, how to properly thin out paints. I usually get satisfactory results by using a toned down method of preshading. I do not use black as my preshading colour as it is too dark and tends to over-highlight the completed model. Pick a final paint and then choose a slightly lighter and slightly darker version of that initial final paint. First I always prime the whole model (30% thinner) with a coat of flat black and then proceed to spray ( 50% thinner- a few passes) the lightest of the three paints. Then load your airbrush with the darkest of the three colours ( 60% thinner) and pass over the panel lines and any other area of the model you want high-lighted. Lastly Blend in the previous two coats of paint with a highly thinned out (75% thinner) middle colour, to the point where you can blend in the previous two underlying colours. The B-17 wing shown below is a quick example of this toned down pre-shading, showing from right to left the four stages.

hope this helps,
Frank

P.S. no clear coat between layers of paint, after all the paint goes on then give it a clear coat before decaling.

Hi Frank!

Looks as if you could write a nice feature about pre and post shading! Especially with the kind of picture you've posted above...

Jean-Luc

Hi Jean-Luc,

I could, if there's interest... I will be away for another ten days starting today, but will be taking my AM Il2m3 Sturmovik with me. I plan on doing a 4 tone hard edge camo scheme on her. I'll take plenty of photos, if all turns out well, it could be a candidate for such an article.

Frank

If there's interest?? Oh yea there is! I re-read the post just to get the information from it. Nice.
I think a full even if it turns out short would really help. I would suggest you include things like the airbrush you use and paint you use etc.

That B17 wing is nice.

Hi Frank,

I'll raise my hand and ask for an article on your technique. I'm dabbling in pre-shading on aircraft right now and my first attempt was, well, good thing I can paint over it.

I got more out of your post than I've seen in ten articles on-line and I'm sure there's more out there like me.

If you could find the time, I'm sure there's an appreciative audience out there to take it in.

- Frank

Yeah, go for it Frank. I would consider myself an accomplished modeller but I never really got the hang of pre-shading panel lines

Lee

You bet that there's interest! H**l yeah! Go for it Frank.....

I would like to thank you all. any more help will be appreciated.
I have another question

could anyone please explain to me what those paints means, and for what kind of parts of any plane should i use them
G-Gloss Colour; S-Semigloss Colour; M-Matt (Flat) Colour


also one question, i was looking for future at the hobby shop, and i could find it, do they have another name for it in USA.

Shiny, highly relfective, like a new car.

[qute]S-Semigloss Colour; [/quote]
Has the sheen of a new leather coat



Minimal to no reflecrtance, like a woolen coat

Most military aircraft are painted in flat paints. Exceptions would be trainers or unpainted metal. Your instruction sheet will indicate the reflectance you need.

[uote]also one question, i was looking for future at the hobby shop, and i could find it, do they have another name for it in USA.[/quote]
You won't find that in a hobby shop. It's an acrylic floor polish. Look for it in a grocery store or other stores that sell cleaning supplies for the home.

I'll echo the interest part.. I watched that wing being painted and am still amazed how it looks.. Look forward to seeing the feature Frank..

Dave

Has the sheen of a new leather coat



Minimal to no reflecrtance, like a woolen coat

Most military aircraft are painted in flat paints. Exceptions would be trainers or unpainted metal. Your instruction sheet will indicate the reflectance you need.

[uote]also one question, i was looking for future at the hobby shop, and i could find it, do they have another name for it in USA.[/quote]
You won't find that in a hobby shop. It's an acrylic floor polish. Look for it in a grocery store or other stores that sell cleaning supplies for the home.[/quote]


thank you for your help i really appreciated

Ditto, Frank.

One question. Is your fourth layer (the middle color thinned to 75%) sprayed over the whole surface?

Thanks.

i have another question. I was looking for Blu-tac at the hobby shop. and i couldn't find it could you tell me where could i find one. the name would be nice. i leave in ohio.

Mclayne

Check out your nearest Walmart. They may have it in the craft aisle.. If that fails head to a local hardware store, might find it there too...


Dave

thanks man. APPRECIATED.

hi again i have another question. does any one now where can i find a website that could show me how to build a model airplane from world war II etc, step by step(i mean every step, it would be nice if they had vids not reading. so i can actually see it).(i've been in tester's models workshop)


also another question. How should i mask a conopy? step by step would be nice.

I would really appreciated. thank you for your help in advance...

Thank you all for the comments, I'll be home for the next four days and aside from a few pressing emergencies (my dog, Timber is going in for surgery tomorrow... bladder stones.... talk about eating into your hobby money ) I should be able to start this little tutorial.

thanks again,

Frank

what kind of tutorial

I'll photograph the Il-2m as I go along and then submit it as an article, showing how to pre-shade and post-shade.

I would do it as an informal 'how to' in the forum, but my photo capacity within Kitmaker is topped up, and I'd have to spend an eternity clearing out old photos to make space for new ones.

Frank

thank you I appreciated.but could also post how to paint the model(every step).

when you pre shade could tell also what to do before pre shading, during and after preshading.

could you inform me when you put that new topic

I hope to have the article in to Jean-Luc in the next couple of weeks. ( I'm currently away from home 20 days of every month, makes it difficult to accomplish it any faster) I'll try and take photos of all the stages of building and painting (interior and exterior).

Frank

Hi Frank!

I'm looking forward to edit your Il-2 feature! If you send me the pics for it (via the support Center or e-mail) they will be hosted in the content storage and this will save your gallery space.

Jean-Luc

thank you. I really appreciated. But were exactly will be post this topic.

Thanks again. :-)

i was looking for a black magic mask. and i don't where can i buy one. could someone help me out.