well I finely started a paint/detail project [*-)] First I was using scalecoat 2 and a f-9 stewart shell with details for a northern pacific NCL look
observations 1. paint worked great ,just trust coverage got a lil heavy on roof ,note to self. order more thinner it goes quick !
after first color ,removed blue tape at projected color change line and was left a very clean line with no flash or run under , now Im tempted to paint on the thiin white stripe rather than decal [;)]
now some questions
useing a curing oven for about 2 hours , setting model inside a closed vehicle [:S] the paint is very close to cured ,
HOW long should I wait before applying MASKING on the new paint for 2nd color without fear of messing up the first paint color ??
than how long for appying decals ?
and 3. is there a subbsitute for scalecoat 2 thinner ? like laqur thiner or such ?
Scalecoat 2 is for plastic. I would not bake the plastic if I were you. I wait about 3 days before decaling but that is basically due to time to do hobby work and not just paint curing. You probably could have taken a short cut and painted the shell one color then mask and paint the second color. Preparation is key to paint adhesion. Skipping here will make any nice paint job null and void.
I,m sorry, I was in a bit of a rush this morn, I did NOT use a oven or bake, I simply left the freshly painted model in a closed up car for about 2 hours ( I think I learned the trick here) kept it some what dust free and was no more that 90-100 degree inside, ether way it worked like a champ.
the mask line was suggested to me so that if useing a decal for the stripe the two colors would meet rather than one over lapping the other leaving a level surface for the decal stripe, made since to me …
any how I’m real happy (so far) AND the SCALECOAT 2, though a bit quick working time wise, is NICE stuff ! but note to self, order MORE thinner next time ,it evaporates if you leave the lid off [:'(]
hmmm sorry for the large print ,I hit something by mistake
One question ? I know that the gloss finish is needed for decaling but do you dull coat afterward or leave it glossy ?? Jerry
If you would rather paint the stripe, I have found that a Ruling Pen from a mechanical drawing set, or bought from an art supply store makes great stripes. To use this properly takes some practice, but it’s what I use to apply stripes if the body is flat, as in your F-7. Otherwise carefully applied decal stripes works just as good.
As to the Scalecoat thinner substitute, I use Xylol, AKA Xylene, from one of the big box home centers like Home Depot, or Lowe’s. A gallon will cost between $10-20. I’ve been custom painting for over 30 yrs now. A gallon lasts me about 9 months. I bet it will last a lot longer for you.
Scalecoat thinner is a mixture of mainly Tuolol, (Tuolene) and Xylol (Xylene) in roughly a 50/50 ratio, with some other ingredients. Either one alone will thin Scalecoat, Floquil, and just about any oil based enamel very well. I used to use just Tuolene, but the stores in this area seems to have stopped carrying it regularly.