Never Paint It Black

[Modelnut]

I read in an old modelling book some years ago that all colors should be diluted with white for scale effect. It had formulas for each scale. I build mostly 1/72 scale and have been using colors straight from the bottle. I may need to start lightening the paint a bit. I need all the help I can get sometimes ! My paint jobs are neatly laid down, no seams, no glue globs, but my builds are lacking some "snap".

[Chris Johnson]

Another grimy black that follows demarcation lines like a dream when brush painting rubber tires is Badger's Modelflex brand. It's #16-03 in their railway colour selection. You can see their full selection of paints at:

http://www.badgerairbrush.com/Paints.asp

Although meant for airbrushing, I've never found a paint that works so well when painting tires. It just flows effortlessly along the demarcation line, and I use it directly from the bottle.

Cheers,

Chris

[Trackpad]

Here's my triplane with the first coat of dead black black applied. I'll be misting a "lighter black" over it (possibly Tamiya NATO Black, or maybe a touch of Smoke) to get a more realistic appearance and to emphasize the fabric appearance a bit.

[Fokker boy]

Here's my triplane with the first coat of dead black black applied. I'll be misting a "lighter black" over it (possibly Tamiya NATO Black, or maybe a touch of Smoke) to get a more realistic appearance and to emphasize the fabric appearance a bit.

That is one fine looking Dr.I,... I like it a lot.

[Chris Johnson]

While this may be a bit off topic for this thread, I have to say that I'm really impressed with that streaked effect on your fuselage Gary. I think it's time you let the rest of us in on the secret of your success. Not that I'll ever come close to matching it, but I'd sure like to try!

Cheers,

Chris

[Trackpad]

Hi, Chris,

No secret, and you can do just as well as I can: it's a decal! Here's the link: http://www.microsculpt.com. I think that you can contact Microsculpt via their contact page and order the streaked decal sheet.

Here's a build review that used them, and it gives a good idea of its use: http://www.modelingmadness.com/review/w1/tc/tmcdr1.htm.

Sorry to break the bad news to you, but the streaked paint on the Fokker...isn't! 

PS: If you or anyone wants to pick what passes for my brain for a few ideas on how to use and apply these decals, contact me any time. 

[Trackpad]

I read in an old modelling book some years ago that all colors should be diluted with white for scale effect. It had formulas for each scale. I build mostly 1/72 scale and have been using colors straight from the bottle. I may need to start lightening the paint a bit. I need all the help I can get sometimes ! My paint jobs are neatly laid down, no seams, no glue globs, but my builds are lacking some "snap".

Hi, Modelnut,

Ian Huntley was a noted aviation colour researcher. He recommends the following scale/mix ratios to match colour perceptions under northern European lighting conditions:

1/144th scale - add 7% white to the basic colour
1/72nd scale  - add 15% white to the basic colour
1/48th scale  - add 10% white to the basic colour
1/32nd scale - add 23% white to the basic colour

This is reported in Brett Green's Osprey Book, "Airbrushing and Finishing Scale Models." Hope this helps. Good luck! 

[uncletony]

Hi, Modelnut,

Ian Huntley was a noted aviation colour researcher. He recommends the following scale/mix ratios to match colour perceptions under northern European lighting conditions:

1/144th scale - add 7% white to the basic colour
1/72nd scale  - add 15% white to the basic colour
1/48th scale  - add 10% white to the basic colour
1/32nd scale - add 23% white to the basic colour

This is reported in Brett Green's Osprey Book, "Airbrushing and Finishing Scale Models." Hope this helps. Good luck! 

These ratios seem backwards to me. If you extrapolate, at 1:1 scale you'd be just using pure white!

[cduckworth]

Vallejo makes a black gray that I use on every project, figures, aircraft and tanks.  Brush paints over unprimed plastic and doesn't leave brush marks. 

[pepperman42]

So how is the little Fokker?....

Steve

[uncletony]

Interesting... thanks for the explanation...  I guess that makes sense   

[cduckworth]

Steve asked 'how's the little Fokker', it's still alive an well as a project.  Will spray the top wing white today and then mask all the white surfaces so I can spray the CDL and underside blue.  Will post some photos.