Help Please from someone with some knowledge!!

[Guest]

The film Titanic was a bit of a let down for me - I already knew how it was going to end!

If you are going to model the Titanic - this could be a good be a good excuse for going for a very weathered look on a "sea bed" diorama base! At least if there are too many glue stains on the model you can take the "plastic welding" screwdriver in one hand, a candle in the other and do some remodelling - a little submersible rover on a flying stand alongside the wreck would be great for a sense of scale too!

Those "plastic welding" screwdriver tools are also great for opening paint tin lids, no self respecting toolkit is complete without a few old retired screwdrivers!

[Guest]

Welcome,

I like your ambition: 1/72 Sherman today, tomorrow the TITANIC.

The tank's looking good; even better when you follow the tips given and remove the sprue attachment marks. Of course construction is only half the fun; you have the delirious pleasures of painting (and possibly "weathering") to come.

The only advice I have to give is read as many modelling websites and references as you can (this is the best of course), but don't worry about getting that perfect job first time; it'll come - but gradually. And the satisfaction of having built and painted something yourself that looks really good is what it's all about. ( I never understood the attraction of "collectibles" - far more intersting to make your own stuff).

[Guest]

does no one else have an incredible urge to build a tomcat after watching top gun? or is it just me lol.

It's just you - Personally I wanted to have a full frontal lobotomy after watching that film...bad bad film!

And that shot where the two jets are flying, one inverted above the other and their cockpit glass is almost touching...geeze what about the 30 odd foot of vertical stabilisers sticking out the top of those big old warbirds! That scene was it's deepest low in my opinion!

And Tom Cruise too..at least he's used to low level flying as he's such a short chappie - he had to stand on an old orange box for most of the film!

"Take my breath away!" - Please do! Make it stop!!! :P

[Guest]

Aw, come on Alan, where's your sense of poetic license?!!

I enjoyed it purely for the enjoyment of watching the flying sequences, I actually can't stand Tom Cruise, but the highlight was any scene containing Kelly McGillis!!

[Guest]

I never really had much respect for Tom Cruise until I saw him at a film premier and he cut down some so called comic who sprayed him in the face with water from a prop microphone for a prank...

I think this thread must be the most offtopic thread yet!

Good fun tho!

What an image: Bunker singing Celine Dion and flying on the front of the disney cruiseliner! - Just another day at the office!

[Guest]

I think I have to jump in at this point and stop you all dissing Top Gun and making out Titanic was a good film!!! Weirdo's!! I grant you the ship part was fantastic but the rest of it - complete codswollop!! Now Top Gun and those jets - much more enjoyable (I personally hated Tom and Kelly and liked the Anthony "Goose" Edwards who Tom kills!!)

And if you don't have ambition then what do you have? I could just aim for a bigger tank (just bought a Sherman Crab and a Matilda - both 1:35) but I like to aim for the stars - coz even if you don't quite make it, you still got an amazing view on the way

[Guest]

Oh and thanks bunker for the back to basics links - was very very helpful for us novice folk!

Re paint: Do I just jump straight in with a matt enamel or do I need to prime it in some way first?

[jspitza]

Ok, fine-I'll make my own Titanic movie and call Kate. I have great luck using Testors Model master enamels and my airbrush is an Iwata Eclipse CS-love em both!

Usualy, a primer is the requirement for professional results BUT some folks have applied paint in very fine layers to smooth out the surface. I find that if the surface is large and flat, a primer ensures a good bond and smooths the surface to help hide cracks and other imperfections missed by my impatience. If the parts are very small, I either paint by brush without primer in very light coats to help reduce visable brush strokes. For your project, I'd pick up some canned primer spray and apply in several light mists. You will see all of the detail including seems, glue joints and other areas needing to be sanded.

[Guest]

For your current project I agree with Jeff. Use an off the shelf spray and give it two or three very light coats and you will be surprised at just what a good finish you can achieve.

If I use spray cans always shake the tin for ages and ages. When you think you've done enough do some more!! You will ruin the entire model if the paint isn't shaken enough so you ave to make sure it is mixed thoroughly. I also always sit my spray tins in warm water for a few minutes before spraying for a few reasons. The paint mixes better when it is warm, the increased temperature increases the pressure in the tin a bit and gives a better mist and finally it helps the paint to dry if it is slightly warmed before hand.

I am sure you will be very pleasantly surprised with the finish you get.

[Guest]

Howdy Miss AJ,

Personally I use "off the shelf" spray paints regularly, very rarely do I "break-out" any of my five airbrushes to spray a model unless its for use with Alcad paint or if I want a special finish like a camo scheme.

I am sure by now, you have probably seen one or two of my models. Well each one of them with the exception of ones months ago, were all painted with off the shelf spray paint from wal-mart. Alot of times, the paint i have used on some of these models is the cheapest spray paint that wal mart sells...their own brand. Now all the details I do with a brush and testors bottled paints.

But, I am happy with the finishes I end up with.

One word of advise is to take your time masking off the areas you dont want to recieve paint. You can use cellophane tape, masking tape (paper type), or a combonation of tape and newprint cut to shape.

Always allow the previous coat of paint to dry before applying a different color or before attempting to mask over a previously painted area. I sometimes "cheat' at this, but I have been doing it for many, many, many....you get the idea, Years.

If you use cellophane tape or any tape with a really sticky adhesive, first, tear off a piece the size you need and "stick it" to your pant leg or shirt, rip it off the clothing and do it again, maybe even a third time. What this does is removes some of the 'tackiness" of the adhesive, that way when you apply the tape, paint underneath the tape wont come off when the tape is removed.

Nothing is worse than ruining a paint job by peeling off tape only to discover that the paint under the tape came off with it.

I hope I have been of some help to you, if you want to see the results spray paint can achieve, feel free to click on my gallery and look around.

Have a good day,

Greg aka GEEDUBBYA (GW)

[jspitza]

I have found Duplicolour primer filler and primer invaulable for fixing seems fast! Its a little on the heavy side especially the filler but its a lot cheaper. Have you tried this Greg?