Dave G.

The other issue with the swap, not mentioned thus far, is that AMT chose to use a steel axle rod through the backing plates to connect the wheels with. Typical early AMT. I had to do a little filing on even the kit flathead to fully clear that metal axle on a recent 53 build. FE Fords, I believe, you might have to make into a rear sump oil pan ( which in 1/1 was done on some drag cars). Just flip the pan around backwards. Nobody knows it doesn't have the extended oil pickup tube from the front pump, lol !

Besides pre mixing the retarder and paint in a specific ratio, I've found wetting the brush with retarder, then picking up the paint onto the brush to work quite well. It's an acquired skill that you learn very quickly if you pay attention. Same as I'd do in oil painting for more flow with linseed or stand oil on the brush, or even mineral spirits, then pick up the oil based paint . Great for long runs of tree trunks or limbs, the paint flows right off the brush. Well, retarder and Tamiya acrylic work similarly, the paint flows right off the brush and levels. But most paints can take up to 30% of some additives or thinners and not break the structure of the paint. It's kind of a generic percentage. Whether or not there is any gain between say 10% and 30%, or loss for that matter, is another topic lol. You'll generally be safe in that range, and the paint may even be able to take more. There comes a point where you lose film and opacity though.

Tamiya recommends using their retarder to cut the acrylic paints with for brushing. It's right at their web site. But I use Liquitex retarder fluid and it does fine. The other tip is using lapping strokes, not over lapping strokes. Thinning with retarder a bit ( say 30% or so), then using lapping strokes the paint flows together.

I don't use tack cloths at all,never have. I use the OMS on tissues, then blow off with my airbrush using just air. Or canned air will work as has been mentioned. In 1/1 I found tack cloths to be more trouble than they're worth, sometimes picking up trash from one spot and putting it down elsewhere. Or if there is chemical contamination, if you think about it, it gets on the cloth. I tossed those things in my first year of 35+ years shooting 1/1. And never used them in nearly 60 years of painting models.

I've gotten this even with using alcohol, so my final rub down of the model now is as I did in shooting 1/1 paint jobs. I switched my final wash to wipe the surface down with liberal amounts of odorless mineral spirits. And I've never gotten it since. The gloves are a real thought as well. So is sneezing over the model. If it were an airbrush being used it could be contamination in the lines from the compressor, but you said it was spray cans.

I scuff for dirt as well, using somewhere between 2400 and 3500. But I tend not to dehydrate straight primer because generally I've primed days if not weeks ahead of the color coat paint job.Priming is often one of the first things I do to a kit right after de- flashing. That's the case because I don't care for the look of bare plastic, unless I have to glue something in ahead of the paint, like external hinge mounts that are somewhat weight bearing.

The trick I learned with Stynylrez over in the FSM forums was to cut the Stynylrez quite a bit with hardware store lacquer thinner. I tried it and the results were very very smooth. But you and I spoke before about Stynlrez and the problems you had with fuzziness, that for the most part I wasn't getting even without the thinner.. All I can think of is maybe something climatic. And or proper mixing with something like a Badger power mixer. You can never properly mix Stynylrez with a stick or hand shaking. The power mixer does the job in about 2 minutes. Anyway, glad you find the Mr primers to do the trick for you ! Now you don't have to figure out the Stynylrez at all. I personally still use Stynlrez under acrylic paint jobs and I also like it as a barrier coat if a kit is yellow, blue or red plastic, as Stynylrez is a primer/sealer.

I think you will be pleased.

I've airbrushed the grey 1000 Mr Surfacer and it goes on smooth with a very slight sheen and I was not expecting that. No worries with top coating right over it. It's just that it fills micro scratches well from body sanding, that I'm not sure 1500 would handle. Even out of a can it's quite good but the fan is wider and the volume per push of the button higher than airbrushing it, the airbrush just better targets what you're spraying, at a controllable rate... I'm one who believes in one or two light coats of primer, I'm not one to bury a body in coat upon coat of primer. I just want the primer to level out any odd tones in the plastic and increase bond of the final finish, make everything one color and get rid of that plastic look. Thus, generally speaking the 1000 works fine for me, given that it also dries quite smooth, at least for me..

I only use Mr Hobby and Stynylrez primers. Im happy with Stynylrez actually but under lacquers I prefer to use the Mr Hobby, either their Mr Primer Surfacer or Mr Surfacer. But I airbrush them, even if Ive got a can, I'll decant it and airbrush it for far less waste. Not that I wouldnt use Tamiya but that I see no need to.

I decant 2x, add a little lacquer thinner and shoot it through a Passche H with #3 tip @ 25-30 psi. Now it can be sprayed in coats counting 4-5 and not have the buildup of 1 or 2 coats from the can. It levels great and I've never had trouble dehydrating @110f. There are some great colors that when mixed with the white make some convincing pastels of the 1940-60 era cars factory finishes. If decanting by the nozzle or spraying from the can, before you ever push the nozzle down heat the can up in hot water until when you shake the can it remains warm to the touch. Then shake with the rattler rattling ( I had cans with the rattler stuck in sludge and take a minute of shaking to just get it free and rattling. At that point the paint is not mixed yet) for a good solid 2-3 minutes. Your experience as well as finish if using the can directly, will love you for this.

I don't know about over seas shipping. But the paints are actual 1:1 paint materials used, from a company like PPG or Dizler ( I forget which brand but the real thing at any rate). In the case of metallic paints, the flakes used are more to scale than 1:1 though. Also it used to be, not sure about now, that the flakes are also more to scale than even Scale Finishes are. You can order paints by auto paint code, buy year and model name or even by sample chip. Again, last I knew, as I haven't used them in a few years.

{"I have used Duplicolor primer decanted in a airbrush with no problem. It may need thinned a bit."} Most spray paints I decant I put in a touch of lacquer thinner for airbrushing. I assume that would be the same for the Duplicolor ? I wouldn't want to see the OP use the wrong thinner and wreck his primer, I don't use Duplicolor primers personally but Mr products.

Hah! I didn't know there was any other seller but MCW themselves, aka Mike.

I have no favorite, I just use what will fit my need at the time, per model. If you're looking for one magic bullet, just be warned that it may be here today and gone tomorrow. We've seen that happen with several brands over the 65 years or so, at least I've been painting models for.

I've only ever heard and seen great things about the Infinity !

I just use the metal side cup on my 200 for metalizer, I like the taper in that better than in my gravity feed. Just turn the 200 on it's side and swing the metal cup upward. I think the ideal airbrush for Metalizer conservation in my case, though would be the tiny cupped version of the Badger 100 using a .2 or .25 tip setup.. I use the .25 on the 200 ( same tip sets as the 100, thus they could be shared)/ My own gravity brush is an Iwata knock off the cup is too big, though you could eye dropper the paint right into the body I suppose.. I have a .2 for that one. Also there is a nice little metal cup with good taper for the Paasche VL. If you cut the flow way back using the fine needle, it does fairly well too on conserving paints in general. But the small tip is something like .4, though it will only feed what you give it munch on. Still, and since I don't own a 100, the Badger 200, metal cup, .25 tip is my favorite for Metalizer and lacquers in general. Always has been, I've owned that brush since 1975 or 76ish.

I'm with everyone else, several choices in metal finishes but the MM buffing has not been duplicated as yet. IMO. I have perhaps half a bottle left of Aluminum Plate Buffing. Hah, and I try not to use it lol !!

To me Micheals is good for artist grade paints and grade 2 canvases, canvas boards etc.. In that regard both my wife and I paint and have bought stacks of canvases for classes or even 20x30 for our own art work. Become a rewards member and you can do quite well on pricing. I've never bought a model there. In looking around the model section it's never been well stocked even in it's hay day. Not compared with well stocked hobby suppliers, for certain. Find someplace else to get your model supplies from or shop online is my suggestion.

I would think the Sparmax should be fine. The pancake is noisy but you could air it up ahead of your session and shut it off. That's what I do with my 8 gal portable for airbrushing. It's a once a week air up kind of thing with the 8 gaL, so I listen to it bang away once a week or so. Meanwhile it's silent. I know nothing about the HyperTough.

Set the pressure to 25-30 psi, the highest pressure to ever likely be used. Then flow air. You will see a slight pressure drop to 28-29 psi, if it maintains that drop number you got a winner. I've used 30 psi with some enamels. And 25 regularly with enamels if to use enamel. Most likely both compressors will pass the test but it's good to know up front.

Same in art supplies, lots of gaps. Yet other items you may or may not want seem in over supply. It's everywhere not just models. And with every excuse under the sun,usually supply chain related. Also worker shortages. How about that weather, even weather patterns. Creation groans, believe it.

There hasn't been many models at Micheals stores in years here in the NE USA, least not of the three I visit.. I more go to Micheals because the wife and I do crafts and art painting. Hobby Lobby has much more for car models and once a week or every two weeks plastic models go on 40% discount for a day or two. The key is hitting the place on those days, who doesn't like a nice kit for nearly half price , even if to stash it if it's something you know you will be enthused to get to! But still not stocked like a really well stocked actual Hobby store. We have one of those in the area, he marks things up though, not down.

Rustoleum 2x decanted, thinned slightly more with lacquer thinner and airbrushed, comes out as nice as any hobby enamel I've ever shot. They may also have a safety yellow that may be good. But this assumes the OP wants to go the extra steps. If anyone is not willing to take any extra steps with any Rustoleum paint, then just stay away from the stuff is my suggestion. I've shot this stuff over Stynylrez primer which is a poly acrylic primer and sealer. What I'm not a fan of is trying to paint a model with Rustoleum 2x from the can. If you do that, heat the can in very hot tap water and shake liberally, repeat until the can remains warm to the touch. Now try spraying it. Rustoleum 2x settles, you gotta get the solids and resins all mixed in or the stem to the nozzle will hopelessly clog. There is nothing inherently wrong with 2x as an enamel paint as long as you use a primer sealer on the model. Of the two methods I mentioned, I much prefer the first. It's a thinner method,you can build on your coats and there is less waste with improved flow out. That said, I'm slowly turning over to Tamiya LP lacquers.

Thanks, ya I should have included that info. Yellow can be fussy with what color is under it, in whatever iteration.Be that acrylic ( water borne), lacquer or enamel.