Question about how to paint a kit that is molded in black.

[jerseydevil]

I am getting ready to start a kit that was molded in black. I plan on using a Tamiya Metallic Blue, and I am wondering if I should add a coat silver to avoid having problems with the black plastic changing the shade of the blue top coat. In the past, I painted a model that was molded in red with Tamiya Metallic Green and didn't have any problems, but I want to make sure I don't have to go through the labor of stripping. What do you guys think?

[fordrodnkustom]

I would use a gray primer undercoat but the silver you suggest would work too. I've never had black bleed through like some other colors but depending on the type of paint you use it could darken the final tone of the color.

[jbwelda]

I agree with Ron but would use the silver rather than primer, assuming the silver is some quality brand like Tamiya. I would not use cheap hardware store paint (Rustoleum, Krylon, Duplicolor etc) but that's just my own prejudice against having to strip and repaint when the cheap stuff screws you. I would suggest Tamiya Silver Leaf or Bare Metal Silver

jb

[jerseydevil]

Thanks guys, with that said I am going to prime with Tamiya Gloss Aluminum as a primer since I have it on hand, and then I will do my top coat in Blue Metallic. The kit I have in mind is the Testors / Italeri Volvo 760 Turbo. I wanted to make sure I don't have to strip this kit because it an older kit and harder to find.

I had one bad experience with black plastic when I primed it with white and sprayed with a Testors non metallic red; which prompted me to pose the question in the forum. I really suspect that the metallic paints seems to have better coverage from another experience with using Tamiya Metallic Green and white primer over red plastic, but I really didn't want to chance it with this kit. Thanks Again!

[jbwelda]

Tamiya Gloss Aluminum was going to be my third suggestion so I think you are going to be ok there. To my mind its not so much to block the black from "leeching through" the paint but more to lay down a good reflective solid base to spray the metallic over...the metallic is usually pretty translucent so it would definitely look dark if shot over black, be it the plastic or paint color. Shooting the aluminum over the body first will seal off the plastic and also give a good reflective undercoat for the final color.

jb

[deuce]

I've never had any problems with the "cheap" paints that were mentioned (have you priced Duplicolor lately???), but I agree with the silver. Pretty much a moot point since this is on your Harley model that you posted in another thread?

[fordrodnkustom]

Jul 25, 2019 9:09:05 GMT -5 deuce said:

I've never had any problems with the "cheap" paints that were mentioned

Me neither but the rule of thumb always applies.....test on a plastic spoon first. Cheap insurance for sure.

[jbwelda]

my problem with duplicolor is that the nozzles really don't seem to work too well. for me, the first spray works ok but then the nozzle clogs and I get spattering paint and other problems, non-smooth flow. This has happened consistently whenever I dare to take someones advice and try it again. I currently have five brand new cans of duplicolor that I am not even going to bother ruining anything with after trying one of them out on a body only to get very uneven coverage and paint drooling down my hand.

The rest, they are just cheap paint, the cans spray like a fire hose, the paint takes forever to dry, even in arid California, and I often get runs or bubbles where the paint built too fast, and of course the nozzles. Plus most of this stuff is not really kind to plastic, at least not the plastic that is in higher end Japanese kits. Still, I am tempted when I see the color and texture selection promised by the cheap stuff, its just that promise is rarely realized.

Give me Tamiya: expensive but great quality, great coverage, great nozzles and highly predictable performance. What it costs to buy is compensated by not having to buy Castrol Super Clean to strip it off because it went on too thick or won't dry or just looks bad texture-wise. If Duplicolor is anywhere near as expensive as Tamiya can be (note: it doesn't have to be that expensive if you shop around online), then the only reason I can see for using it is color selection, and then I would have to decant and airbrush it. I much prefer the convenience of a buzz can though and I have yet to find anything that consistently produces good results amongst the hardware or auto store shelves.

I am just not that accomplished a painter to mess with anything else and expect it to turn out good.

jb

[deuce]

I agree with the nozzle issue on Duplicolor. I was painting some spots on my truck and I got the "spitting" effect. I found that starting to spray way before you actually hit what your aiming at helps some, then continue a bit past what you are spraying. I may experiment and see if other nozzles fit.

[fordrodnkustom]

This kit is molded in black styrene. I used Rustoleum spray from Big Mart out of the can over Tamiya gray primer. Very happy with the results.