how much paint and clear per model?

[foxbat426]

I'm on my third build, a 69 GTO - my question is how much paint and clearcoat in lets say ounces should one be using on 1 - 1/25th scale model.

Also How many models should one small can of testors spray paint or clearcoat cover?? I'm using an airbrush, but somehow I feel i'm using too much.

[martinfan5]

Average size model car, if you do paint the proper way, two to three mist coats, then one or two wet coats.

On the average I can get two models painted out of one can, sometimes three, but that is pushing it.

[High octane]

Use as LITTLE primer, color coats, and clear coats as you can get away with. The more coats, the more detail is going to fade away. I use three coats of clear so I have enough to "polish out" without cutting into the color coats.

[Fat Brian]

I agree with the posts above, I get about two paint jobs per can unless it's either a large model like a semi truck or the color doesn't cover very well and requires a few more coats then normal. I get a little more out of a can of clear since color coverage isn't an issue, you just want a nice smooth coat.

[foxbat426]

Looks like I've been using too much - maybe i need a new airbrush or maybe i'm pushing the wet coats too much - i just finished a GTO, I think it came out really nice and it still has to "tighten up", but you do lose detail. I just can't seem to get a good paint job with so little paint.

[Guest]

Looks like I've been using too much - maybe i need a new airbrush or maybe i'm pushing the wet coats too much - i just finished a GTO, I think it came out really nice and it still has to "tighten up", but you do lose detail. I just can't seem to get a good paint job with so little paint.

Switch to laquers. That's the only way you'll get a good paint job with out a lot of paint buildup. Most laquers will cover very well with two coats of paint easily. I have gotten away with only one,but that's a rare occurance. I usually only spray one coat of clear laquer if I don't plan to polish, three to four if I polish. The best part about laquers is how quickly it dries. Hours with laquers versus days with enamel.

[Mike Kucaba]

Here's another tip.If you are using an airbrush.Once you have good color coverage hopefully with one thin coat,Hit the high spots with a little extra.Areas that you think you may polish thru.Do the same with the clear also.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Foxbat426:

"Also How many models should one small can of testors spray paint or clearcoat cover?"

As far as the Testors one-coat lacquers go, some colors don't cover all that well and take almost a full can to get the depth and even color I'm looking for. Flaming Orange metallic is one. It took me 5 coats of color, almost the whole can, over WHITE primer, to get what I wanted on my '70 Chevelle SS454 Gearz contest entry. I did colorsand between color coats, which uses up a little more paint, because you HAVE to reshoot metallics after sanding and before clearing to get an even finish. And if you're getting low in the can, don't try to squeeze it, because it will sometimes spit and cover unevenly towards the end.

Also, don't expect two cans of paint to be exactly the same color. That means don't paint the hood and deck with one can and expect them to exactly match the body painted with another can. And, try to mount your loose panels on the car and spray everything together, if you want show quality results every time.

Pro painters of 1:1 cars often use coverage-cards, simply glossy paper cards with a black and white printed checkerboard pattern, to let them know EXACTLY how many coats of color will be required th get full coverage.....when you can't see the checkers anymore through the paint. There's no hard-and-fast rule for how many coats this will take, on real cars or models.

I've also found that 3 coats of Testors lacquer clear will do it, if you shoot it slick, and still leave you enough to wetsand and polish withoug risking breaking through into the color. That's probably around half the can.

Edited July 3, 2012 by Ace-Garageguy

[slusher]

l am not trying to be wasteful but if l use a rattle can l just try to get one model per can due to the chance of a spitting can or running out...Slusher