Bill97

I have a can of clear spray lacquer on hand that I used to top coat the metallic copper spray I used for the lower part of the hull. I like to use it over the copper spray because the copper spray seems to be susceptible to fingerprints even after it is dry. Could I use that same product over the Vallejo acrylic Air? I would do a test on scrap material to see if it is OK. Wondered if numerous very light coats with drying time between each would accomplish what I need. Do not want the acrylic paint to soften “melt” and ruin all the hard work I have done.

Hey guys I know this is not the correct blog for this question but I am wondering since you have been so helpful if I could just simply ask you another question here. For the first time I am using acrylics on my new Cutty Sark build. Until this point I have always used enamels. I purchased an airbrush kit and am using Vallejo acrylic airbrush paints to do some nice effects on the deck and other parts. Once finished and thoroughly dry I want to seal the deck for protection with a matt or satin finish. What should I use? Do not know if I can put solvent based laquer, polyurethane, or other similar product over acrylics. Or, do I need to use some kind of water based top coat? After all the work I have done getting the aged look to the deck I would hate to see it ruined by putting something wrong over the acrylic. Any help andadvice would be greatly appreciated. #1 Posted 15 hourFor the first time I am using acrylics on my new Cutty Sark build. Until this point I have always used enamels. I purchased an airbrush kit and am using Vallejo acrylic airbrush paints to do some nice effects on the deck and other parts. Once finished and thoroughly dry I want to seal the deck for protection with a matt or satin finish. What should I use? Do not know if I can put solvent based laquer, polyurethane, or other similar product over acrylics. Or, do I need to use some kind of water based top coat? After all the work I have done getting the aged look to the deck I would hate to see it ruined by putting something wrong over the acrylic. Any help andadvice would be greatly appreciated.

For the first time I am using acrylics on my new Cutty Sark build. Until this point I have always used enamels. I purchased an airbrush kit and am using Vallejo acrylic airbrush paints to do some nice effects on the deck and other parts. Once finished and thoroughly dry I want to seal the deck for protection with a matt or satin finish. What should I use? Do not know if I can put solvent based laquer, polyurethane, or other similar product over acrylics. Or, do I need to use some kind of water based top coat? After all the work I have done getting the aged look to the deck I would hate to see it ruined by putting something wrong over the acrylic. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

This has been an extremely interesting and helpful discussion which is obvious by there being almost 50 replies. As I said in the initial topic question, I was not aware this blog site existed until I Googled ideas about sails. In retrospect it would have been very helpful during my recent Constitution build. With all the different opinions, methods, and tried and true techniques, it makes me wonder what other area of model ship building is open for so much individuality? Be it painting, displaying, historical accuracy, etc? I have always been a follow the instructions sort of builder. Find part “27” and glue it here and so on. I paint (enamel) colors close to the instructions or pictures I find of the actual ship. But outside of using the plastic formed sails or not using them, I have rarely, if ever strayed from the box instructions and parts. So I am now just wondering what other areas for you provide for as much thought, experimenting, and individuality as does the sails? I need to step outside the “box”!

Ok. Next question in this great topic. If you make your own unfurled sails, either cloth or paper, do you go with a process that produces a formed billowed sail or a flat hanging sail?

Oh, and thanks mtaylor for the linc and PDF on furled sails. This sail thing adds a whole new dimension to the ship building hobby. In the past it was just a question of adding them or not, and if adding them just using the preformed ones that come with the kit. Not anymore! My eyes have been opened! For authenticity, is it always the case that if the sails are unfurled the yards are at a different position on the mast and slightly angled off 90 degrees?

Looking at all these beautiful ships has me wondering what your favorite scale is? I have always worked with models in the 1/96 to 1/100 range thinking there would be so much more detail and also pieces large enough to handle with tweezers, etc. of course I then end up with ships nearly 3’ long that take up a lot of display space. Are the smaller scale models just as, or more, enjoyable

Wow! Seeing the ships you guys have built makes me feel I am not worthy to even be blogging with you. These are incredible! Great job. The detail painting is extremely impressive.

Don’t tell anyone but I believe I have been misspelling furled. Hey what can I say. I use my brain for model building not spelling! 😀

With all this discussion I am now wondering if I should go back and add sails to the Constitution I just finished. I have the masts and yards positioned as if not with sails. I guess I could attempt to make some as if furrowed. I still have the plastic formed ones from the kit I could use for size.

Oh my gosh Rob I hope you didn’t have to type all that out just now on your device. Maybe had it already in print that you copied and pasted! Thank you so much. I am going to print that out and practice. When you say first have the size of each sale I am guessing it would be OK to simply match the size of all the ones on the preformed plastic sheets that come with a the kit?

Rob I am intrigued by your design of making the sails with paper, glue, etc. Would you care to share your process? Any chance you may have made a YouTube video showing how to do it? That is if you don’t mind sharing your secret.

I have built several ships in the 1/96-1/100 scale. I always debate before I start if I will or will not rig the ships with or without sails. As you know most times you have to decide this early for placement of the yards and angle of the masts. I always feel that after spending countless hours on rigging I don’t want to hide it with the sails. However a ship in full sail is impressive. I am getting ready to start the second 1/96 Cutty Sark that I have built in my 68 years and then plan to spend the rest of my days working on the Heller HMS Victory. I have read a number of posts and watched YouTube videos on making furrowed sails but have not tried it. In general, what is the majority opinion on adding the sails on ship models of this scale?

I really enjoy the rigging as well. It can be repetitive and monotonous, but I think it is the most rewarding as each mast is completed. The two most frustrating parts to rigging for me is being careful to keep all the line tensions uniform so as to not bow a mast or yard, and lacing a line from high on a mast all the way down to the designated tie off pin crossing it over or around another line already tied. I don’t like to have a line pulling against another causing it not to run straight.

Thanks Bonedoctor. Beautiful ship. I found an interesting product Vallejo makes called Old and New Wood Effects. It is a series of different color acrylics that you apply with an airbrush, fine tip paintbrush, and washes. Depending on the desired effect, old or new, the advertisement shows some pretty realistic results. May order it just to give it a try.

One last week thing Bonedoctor, I really like the paint color scheme you used on the ship components. I have seen a number using different colors on the deck houses and so on. With your permission I would like to steal some of your ideas.

By the way your shop looks great also. I am jealous. I have a folding table and pole lamp set up at the foot of a bed in our guest bedroom. All my supplies, tools, and paints are set up best I can manage. I turn 68 in August so I am not far behind you. Finished my USS Constitution as you saw in the pictures above. Working on my Cutty Sark now and refining my skills. And the big one! Going to tackle the Heller 1/100 HMS Victory, which I expect will take me up to your current age!

Bonedoctor, your Cutty Sark is beautiful!! Is that a Revell 1:96, or a different one? Your deck is incredible. Is that paint or wood veneer? I know you said the scale of the Revell was to small to try to use veneer b

Wow! That is beautiful! Great job. I have ordered my Heller HMS Victory and will begin later this his year after I finish the Cutty Sark I am currently working on. I have read on various sites that the Heller instructions are not in English. Is that correct? And if so, how difficult did that make the construction?

I have many of the build but I don’t want to bore everyone who has also built the Constitution. Many doing a much better job than me. But here are just a few more.

Thanks everybody for the kind remarks. I did this model about 50 years ago as a teenager. No idea what came of it. Talked about it from time to time. Daughter surprised me with a new kit last Christmas. Here are a few more photos.

I recently completed my Ravell USS Constitution I received as a Christmas gift. Five months of work. I am pleased with it. Like most on here I opted to leave the sails off so as to better see the rigging. I am about to start the Ravell Cutty Sark. When I did the Constitution I did not paint the deck. Just left it the cream color right out of the box. For the Cutty Sark I have decided to paint the deck as I have seen a number of modelers do. I was looking on line for hints and ideas and stumbled onto this blog, which I had no idea existed when I did the Constitution. Wish I had. Reading over it now I see a number of ideas and hints I would have employed. Will definitely refer to it during my Cutty Sark build. I have seen several recommended methods for painting the deck and plan to practice them to see which method I am the best at. I have a full pallet of enamel paints I use for my models. Have not tried acrylics, which many recommend. Just my sheer quantity and variety of enamel paints would make starting over with acrylic cost prohibitive. I need to find advice on how to make my own white or dark enamel wash. A number of you use that as a final step when painting the deck.

Good morning. Just stumbled on your blog. I recently completed the Revell 1/96 USS Constitution and now getting ready to begin the Cutty Sark. Like you, I prefer to leave the sails off so as to see the rigging, which the Constitution had tons of. On the Constitution I did not paint the deck. Just left it the cream color of the plastic. However, after reading your blog and others I am interested in painting the deck on the Cutty Sark. I am wondering if you would mind explaining in more detail how you did yours?