69NovaYenko Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 (edited) I'm about to airbrush my first black paint job. I understand that be it a 1:1 or 1:25 scale car that black is the most challenging color to shoot. Was wondering if any of the veterans out there had any helpful hints, tips or guidance that they would be willing to pass on before I attempt to lay down my first lacquer black paint job. I'll be using either MCM our Scale Finishes pre thinned black lacquer. What is the better primer undercoat gray or white? I truly want the final finish to pop. Edited June 29, 2016 by 69NovaYenko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelo7 Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 I just posted this on another thread: "I always use flat black (rattle can) with up to three coats of Testors High Gloss clear. Gloss Black is a pain to work with".But airbrush is different, so others will help you there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 I hate working with black too!As a matter of fact, a while back, I started a thread about a build I was doing called, "Man....I Hate Black"!I really don't have any inspiration to offer because I work with black so little, but I will say, it's a beautiful color when it's done right.I use MCW paints all of the time, but for a basic black, I would just use Duplicolor black & shoot it with a rattle can.It's the same stuff as the MCW paint & Duplicolor rattle cans spray well.I did a '60 Mercury & more recently, a '62 Ford with Duplicolor black & they worked out just fine. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xingu Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 I just posted this on another thread: "I always use flat black (rattle can) with up to three coats of Testors High Gloss clear. Gloss Black is a pain to work with".But airbrush is different, so others will help you there. Never thought to do this. I will have to try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 (edited) Shooting black is no different from shooting any other color. It's not magic or evil. What it DOES do is tend to show up any flaws in bodywork (like wavy panels, because it acts like a mirror, and reflections will not be 'true' if there are flaws in the surface). It also shows orange peel or dry spray, for much the same reason. High quality black has a lot of pigment and will completely cover ANY color undercoat. It just doesn't matter. Do your prep right, shoot several decent coats, sand and polish it like you'd do any quality paint job, and it will look great. There's no magic. This is the cheapest rattlecan black lacquer from Ace Hardware. The minor orange peel will polish out. Same body after a light sanding and hand-compounding. Edited June 29, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Zimmerman Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Shooting black is no different from shooting any other color. It's not magic or evil. What it DOES do is tend to show up any flaws in bodywork (like wavy panels, because it acts like a mirror, and reflections will not be 'true' if there are flaws in the surface). It also shows orange peel or dry spray, for much the same reason. High quality black has a lot of pigment and will completely cover ANY color undercoat. It just doesn't matter. Do your prep right, shoot several decent coats, sand and polish it like you'd do any quality paint job, and it will look great. There's no magic. This is the cheapest rattlecan black lacquer from Ace Hardware. The minor orange peel will polish out. Same body after a light sanding and hand-compounding. Agreed. Black is my favorite color to shoot, either from an airbrush, or from a can. .A good paint job , no matter what color , depends 99 percent on preparation. You can have a perfectly prepared model, and screw up the paint job, but you CANNOT lay a perfect paint job on a poorly prepped surface, no matter what the color..............'Z' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69NovaYenko Posted June 30, 2016 Author Share Posted June 30, 2016 Thanks for the advise one and all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) Ace is absolutely correct about everything. For airbrushing, my favorite Black is Model Master Classic Black enamel, cut with lacquer thinner or naphtha and polished with Wright's Silver Cream. But, as Ace says, you can get an excellent black paint job with almost any kind of black paint, if YOU do everything right. Edited June 30, 2016 by Snake45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 I've been pretty happy with the results I've been able to get with Duplicolor black & clear. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjordan2 Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 Steve, that convertible top is the perfect finish. What paint? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_G Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 ^That looks really nice Is the top masking tape? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) ^That looks really nice Is the top masking tape? Steve, that convertible top is the perfect finish. What paint? Testors flat black guys, right over the kit plastic. Then rubbed over with fingers tips. I've been amazed at how many people I've had ask me how I finished this top. The answer is so simple that I don't think some people believe me. Steve Edited June 30, 2016 by StevenGuthmiller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 Geez that's a beautiful model Steve. Holy cow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High octane Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 I've been pretty happy with the results I've been able to get with Duplicolor black & clear. Steve Your models are absolutely "stunning." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69NovaYenko Posted July 1, 2016 Author Share Posted July 1, 2016 Those are some beautiful black paint jobs. Thanks for all the advice and insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xingu Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Testors flat black guys, right over the kit plastic. Then rubbed over with fingers tips. I've been amazed at how many people I've had ask me how I finished this top. The answer is so simple that I don't think some people believe me. Steve Steve, you need a better story. Something like.......The room temp has to be exactly 85.2°F, humidity less than 50%, use 1982 Mercedes-Benz black touch-up paint #040, shake the can 102 times, invert can, shake another 102 times, spray 2 light coats, quickly put piece in oven preheated to 106°F for 6 minutes, remove from oven, wait 24 hours, spray one more medium coat and then wait 72 hours before you touch it again. Now, when they ask you if you are serious, you can tell them you are pulling their leg and then tell them the truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 Steve, you need a better story. Something like.......The room temp has to be exactly 85.2°F, humidity less than 50%, use 1982 Mercedes-Benz black touch-up paint #040, shake the can 102 times, invert can, shake another 102 times, spray 2 light coats, quickly put piece in oven preheated to 106°F for 6 minutes, remove from oven, wait 24 hours, spray one more medium coat and then wait 72 hours before you touch it again. Now, when they ask you if you are serious, you can tell them you are pulling their leg and then tell them the truth. Ah, so you think I should torture them a little first. I'll keep that in mind. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 Ah, so you think I should torture them a little first. I'll keep that in mind. Steve Remember Johnny Carson's favorite dictum: "Make 'em beg for it, then don't give it to 'em." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 Remember Johnny Carson's favorite dictum: "Make 'em beg for it, then don't give it to 'em." Sounds like my last ex. Which is why she's ex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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