1/16 scale paint question

[m3fan]

Greetings,

I have a goal of doing one of those miles deep black paint jobs on a 1/16 scale kit and was wondering about opinions on whether to use airbrush or spray can. My thinking is with the spray can the coverage would be more consistent on this scale. Would love to know opinions.

Thanks,

Russ

[Ace-Garageguy]

Getting a "miles deep" black paint job really isn't dependent on the spray medium you use.

Rattlecans or an airbrush or an automotive touchup gun or even a full-scale spray gun (with a 1.4 tip, the material turned way down, and a narrow fan) can all produce outstanding results.

The bad rap black has is due in large part to a simple misunderstanding. Black is actually rather an easy color to shoot, and usually covers very well.

BUT...because a slick black paint job is as reflective as a mirror, it WILL show every slight wave or divot or minor surface imperfection, and orange peel really stands out.

To get a "miles deep" black job, you need to remember these things:

1) Get your bodywork PERFECT. 

2) After you shoot your paint, at least 3 coats and probably better 5, you're going to need to "colorsand" the paint with progressively finer and finer grit papers (I go up to 12,000), and then polish very carefully.

3) Straight black lacquer (Duplicolor sprays really nice straight out of the can and covers VERY well), sanded and polished correctly, will be spectacular. BUT...if you want it to look even deeper, colorsand with 600 to get the last coat dead smooth, and top it off with 3 or more coats of clear. Sand and polish that, and you have a show-winner (if you do it right).

[m3fan]

Thanks for your input Bill. I also am a big fan of duplicolor as well, so I will give it a try and who knows I may even post results!

[redneckrigger]

As with any type of finish, be it a paint job, a chrome plating job, bluing or nickel plating on a firearm, or the refinishing of a fine piece of furniture, the actual application of the finish is secondary to the results. It is the preparation UNDER that finish that is number 1, 2 AND 3 in importance. As Bill said above, once you have PERFECT bodywork, then you can proceed from there, and he nails it perfectly.