Modelling and Painting

[MissMarvelous]

Impressive!!! Very well done!!!

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Not much to show from yesterday, apart from some testing I did to use layers of paint and clear coat and then hairspray before applying a top coat. This allows the top coat to be easily removed while leaving the coat beneath the hairspray and clear coat untouched.
It's one way of being able to weather a model/prop...

Top square is silver paint, clear coat and then the top coat. Hence why I have labelled it "none"
The square beneath is silver paint, clear coat, hairspray and then the top coat.

You can see the results of my scratch at the paint with various items. Wire wool, cocktail stick, dampened paint brush etc.
I am actually really happy with the result and will be using this technique when I come to paint that blaster.


I can't claim credit for discovering this technique. But I am a whizz at searching YouTube...

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

These are ready now...



The gun body is assembled and along with the scope (not pictured!), have all been coated with hairspray...!

Tomorrow, if all is dry enough, I will spray the top coat and the next day, chip away at bits...

 

[MissMarvelous]

Amazing!! The wood effect is spectacular.

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Look like the hairspray is dry...!
Painting time tomorrow.

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

All done, now to wait at least 24 hours so that I can safely attack the paint!



Painting over hairspray is not as easy as you might think...

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

In other news, I am positioning myself to get everything that I want in order to make the best Polar Lights 1/350 TOS and TMP Enterprises that I can, while I actually have some money to spare...!

EDIT
Actually, if I want the best, I better get someone else to make the TMP Enterprise, because a 5 colour pearlescent aztec paint job is not going to be in any way easy...

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

It’ll kinda look like this, kinda...

 

[3rdstone]

Strangely, I never realised were the inspiration to this iconic movie gun came from but watching your pics I saw it:

A Mauser gun from around mid-1910s. I am only aware of that thing because the guy in my avatar had it in his arsenal.

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Amazing isn’t it...?

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

The blaster is on hold for a few days while I try to use my modelling painting skills (I’m doomed!) to repair this...

 

[MissMarvelous]

Just add an "OUCH" banner over it! That should do the trick... maybe add a little Homer Simpson just to make it even more friendly.

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Actually, I’ve done this...



Lots of rubbing to follow with 2000 grit wet & dry tomorrow and then the top colour!

Got up early to do a bit before having to head out to see a client...



I really would rather be painting a model!

Edit...
Last night and this morning.



This has really not gone well... Have to wait a couple of days and then clean it up and spray some lacquer on.
I guess it looks a bit better than when I started.
All good practice for painting those Enterprises!

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

I need to have a bigger better spray gun for doing those Enterprise models. All of this recent car spraying has made me realise that even more.

And all the videos that I have watched with regards to painting the 1/350 Polar Lights TOS and TMP Connies, the majority of them have used what is referred to as an HVLP spray gun.
Anyhow, I have been looking into it and the guy who runs the Trekworks YouTube channel responded to my e-mail query about what I had found to buy. He said that what I have found should be fine, but that I should have a separate gun for primer and top coats/lacquer.
It is great that he even replied, but it is bad that I should get two guns! To add insult to injury, these guns require more oomph than my airbrush compressor can manage, so I have to get a much bigger one that can meet and even surpass the airflow I need.

But after seeing how badly my rattle can attempts on my car have gone? Well, I am going to take the plunge. For your amusement, the links to the compressor and gun are below...
Compressor
Spray gun

I won't bore you with the accessories that are required... I think I have bothered you all enough.

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Whether or not to weather...That is the question (sorry Shakespeare)


Sticking bits together...


Spraying with various clear coats, in fact I have used them all. Matt, satin and gloss!


Have to wait a couple of days for it all to dry and then the final assembly...

Methinks that my weathering skills need some finessing... But it'll have to do now.

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Ta daaaaa...

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

In other news...
Transparent black paint!

 

[Flash525]

Is it truly black if it's transparent?

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to see it, does it make a sound?

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Back to K.I.T.T.

Purchased a new airbrush, as I couldn’t be sure what brand my existing one was and I wanted to buy spares.
Anyways, I ended up getting an iwata branded airbrush and the difference is night and day compared to what I’ve been using.
After further reading about painting techniques, I’ve bought paint flow improver and drying re-tardant fluid. Also I can use some of those in conjunction with de-ionised water and 99.9% isopropyl alcohol to make my own acrylic paint thinner.

The improver and re-tardant can also be used directly with your paint to improve application when laying on with your airbrush.
Observe...


This is gloss black primer, sprayed at about 20psi. Heavily mottled, even after a couple of coats. I stripped it back to the plastic with isopropyl alcohol, there’s no way I could get that “smooth showroom shine” from this start.



This is the same paint as before, but with a few drops of flow improver and drying re-tardant added. I also increased the pressure to 25psi. I almost can’t believe how different it looks.
My home made acrylic paint thinner is pretty good too...!

 

[MissMarvelous]

What about your car? Is it done?

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Sort of... Not happy with the results. So I’ve ordered more paint to go over what I’ve already done and give it better coverage. I hope!

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

I took the plunge and airbrushed the black gloss primer onto K.I.T.T

Not before testing the application of the paint onto my trusty plastic test spoon!


It didn't look too bad, so after much de-greasing of the body shell and blasting with 60psi of air from the airbrush to get rid of any particles. I went and did the deed. With more than a small amount of trepidation I might add...


Still looks slightly mottled to me, but hopefully the paint will level off a bit before it cures. It is now covered by the model box lid to keep as much dust and debris off of it as I can.

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Here's that stupid spoon again after being hit with a black gloss top coat or two...

 

[MissMarvelous]

Awesome! And I still struggle with my nail polish... Can I borrow your airbrush???