Hi everyone,
I put model railroading on hold for about 10 years and am just now starting up again. In the past I used Floquil flat railroad colors and added glaze to them to give me a glossy surface upon which to apply decals. It worked fine. I’ve forgotten the formula (color, glaze, thinner) I used. Can anyone refresh my memory with a good solution? I know that Floquil’s formula has changed; has that caused any different airbrush techniques?
Thanks. It’s good to be back!
[#welcome]
Most modelers getting into air brushing now days are using acrylic paints so I don’t know if you are going to find the answer to your mixing question.
However, when I prep for decaling, I paint the area with a clear gloss over the color coat. Then apply the decals, then apply a clear flat over them.
I think Scale Coat railroad paints are glossy. Then you can decal directly on the color coat, then paint a clear flat over them.
[I] I just found my Floquil paint book.
For air brushing they recommend: color=75%; glaze=5%; Di-sol=20% and spray at 8-10psi.
For air brush application for decals : 1 part glaze to 4 parts color. Retarder can also be added if desired. They don’t say anything about thinning, but I would think that you might need to.
Hope this helps.
I’ve used Floquil’s Glaze in the past, but only as a retarder. For that purpose, it was about 10% of the mix and imparted no gloss to the finish. For decalling, I apply a separate coat of Glosscote or semi-gloss made-up from Glosscote and Dullcote.
Wayne
Thanks! I appreciate the help. Yes, I guess the air brush fraternity has moved on from where I left. Nevertheless, these suggestions were great!
I’m firmly in the Floquil camp but don’t use glaze. I spray a separate glosscoat with the airbrush. An extra step, I know. Scalecoat I is great paint and I use it on my brass. It dries extremely glossy and their RR color selection is good.
Chris
From my copy of the Floquil publication “Painting Miniatures”.
Mix A) Un-thined; 80% Color, 20% Glaze
Mix B) 75% mix A, 5% Glaze, 20% Dio-Sol (add retarder as required).
From my experience, this produces an egg-shell finish, which is adequate (but not ideal) for decalling. Finish is outstanding for application of dry transfer lettering. I have never tried to increase the amount of Glaze in an attempt to increase gloss. I have largely abandoned Floquil, and now use Scale Coat unless I can not mix the color I desire.
Jim J.