Painting Advice Needed !!!

[Bill Anderson]

Hi,

I have  Revell '57 Corvette w/427 kit.  I finished the chassis, motor, and interior and IMO they came out nicely.  So my next step was to paint the body shell.

I used a Testor's rattle can and it was faulty, throwing out blobs of paint (subject of an earlier thread).  So I cleaned it up (very little paint got on it) and ordered some Tamiya Mica Red.

Yesterday I started to spray the shell with the Mica Red and it just wasn't covering.  So I thought, what it needs is a primer.

Not having any available, I foolishly decided to use some Testor's gold, which I had used successfully months ago on another model.

Well, of course the gold covered with a fairly light spray, but when I hung it to dry I noticed the paint was bubbling in places!  That is another first for me.

Sooo, I scraped, sanded, and used thinner to clean up the shell.  Then I ordered a can of Tamiya light grey primer.

I "assume" the primer will cover nicely, but will the Mica Red lacquer cover over it?   

I've considered buying another kit for the body shell, but I'm hoping I can save the one I have.

Honestly, I've had more paint problems in the last month than in all the previous decades of model building.

Your comments are more than welcome! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Edited July 31 by Bill Anderson

[Ace-Garageguy]

1) I'd suggest reading all the info available on this site about correct stripping techniques.

2) I'd also suggest reading up on correct prep for paint, including removing mold seams, scuffing, primering, etc.

3) Yes, Tamiya colors will cover primer. That's what they're designed to do. Their primers and paints are a system that work together....but it will take multiple coats of paint, applied correctly, to get a consistent finish.

4) Strip that thing right and then prep it right...you should have no need to buy another kit to get a body.

5)   

 

 

Edited July 31 by Ace-Garageguy

[Mark]

I'm pretty sure the "mica" colors require a base coat of a similar color, like pearl paints or candies.

[Bill Anderson]

Thank you both for the sensible advice!

Like I wrote, this experience was a first for me, and I've been building models since the mid 1950s.  

I'm not placing blame (that belongs to me), but my nemesis was those two cans of Testors paint.  Pretty sad, for I've never had a problem with them before. 

[NOBLNG]

Tamiya also makes a pink primer that may require fewer coats of the mica to get coverage than the grey would.

[Bill Anderson]

Well, so far so good......  spent significant time sanding the faulty paint, and got it to the point it was primer ready.  Did a light coat, and didn't see any obvious imperfections.  So that was followed by 3 light coats of a dark red from Tamiya (name/number in not by me now), and this morning I did a light coat of Tamiya Mica Red, and later I'll do a second light coat.  Have to say, the result is pretty good - not contest quality but definitely acceptable.  Gotta say, some lessons were learned and/or re-emphasized during this whole process.

Thanks all!!!

[Bill Anderson]

Well, it ain't show quality but it works for me!