Grumman F3F-1 and F3F-2 by Landlubber Mike - FINISHED - Accurate Miniatures - 1/48 - PLASTIC - with aftermarket

[lmagna]

I don't want to take over Mike's fantastic builds with my get well stuff but thank you all just the same. Definitely DO NOT slow down on my account Mike. Your daughters will run all over you and we will miss some very fine modeling skills if you do! NOT a good thing.

 

Getting a little more mobile every day and most of the drug haze is fading away. Hopefully will see what I can do in a few more weeks when all the dust settles. Not expecting a spring chicken at my age but who knows?

[Landlubber Mike]

Glad to hear you're coming along Lou - hopefully the dust settles sooner rather than later.  Hang in there my friend!

[Richmond]

I'm a latecomer to this log, there has been wonderful work undertaken to these little planes.

 

I noted your issues with masking, there was an interesting article  in the Journal by Kurt Van Dahm (Vol 64, pages 282 to 284) and one thing that was recommended in addition to burnishing was  spraying a light coat of the original /base colour along the edges of the masks at 90 degrees to the surface to seal the edges and prevent bleed under the tape. Obviously you need to be careful with coverage so as to not to cause a raised edge.

 

I haven't tried it myself but it seems quite logical.

[Landlubber Mike]

Thanks very much!

 

I've read similar tips, as well as spraying a bit of clear coat to seal the edge.  My guess is you have to be careful as you say not to spray too much and get a raised edge.  One thing I personally need to be better about is spraying multiple thin coats rather than try to get the paint down in one go because I've gotten raised edges from putting too much paint down.  Better to spray a light coat, and then come back if you need it.  In the long run, saves much more time over having to fix raised lines, bleeding, etc.

[Richmond]

I use a dual action airbrush and its something you get use to - after while your finger sort of automatically knows how far back to the pull the trigger. I also use quick drying paints (Tamiya or Mr Colour) plus I live in the tropics so you can paint the next coat almost immediately, so there no need to be impatient.  Also I don't lay anything paint or varnish that hasn't been thinned to at least 50/50. Primers even less. 

 

It didn't mention it specifically in the article but maybe you could thin your paint further for any bleed protection activities, I suppose it all comes down to trial and error.

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

the planes look fantastic Mike!   the rigging looks superb.......    

[Landlubber Mike]

Thinning sounds like a good idea.  I've been mostly using Vallejo, which you can shoot straight from the bottle.  I've found, however, that some of their products (like the Metal Varnish) greatly improve with a little Vallejo thinner added.  Some of their primers are a bit thick too, so I might try thinning them a tad as well.  In any event, now that I'm a little more familiar with various paints and the airbrush, I'll probably resort to thinning even Vallejo.

[jwvolz]

Just catching back up Mike. They finished up great. Nicely done!

[Landlubber Mike]

Thanks Joe, really appreciate it!