1/32 Tamiya F4U-1a Corsair - Boyington 17740

[speedgraflex]

For what it may be worth as input, I prefer Mr Mark Setter and Softener as a duo to the Microscale pair, and yes, I have used both on every kind of surface. I do think UV Flat Clear when used pre decal may be of interest.

[jkim]

I have the Setter and Softer arriving this weekend so I'll give it a test!

I've glued the vertical tail and started masking in preparation for the imminent painting stage.


The first paint stage is a metal base layer (Tamiya AS-12) on the inner wings for chipping. I'll be doing a two-stage ZC primer/metal chipping effect in this high wear area using good ole hairspray.

[BlackSheep214]

[jkim]

After a couple of coats of hairspray had dried, I sprayed Zinc Chromate Yellow (Tamiya) onto the top of the wing.



A few hours later, I started working a wet brush over the ZC and it started coming off in large bunches. I immediately stopped and decided to let the ZC paint dry even further but when I got back to it, I had the same results. The water was acting like paint thinner and taking way too much of the Zinc Chromate. So much so that I was able to completely remove it with water with the Tamiya AS-12 completely intact.

So back to square one...

[Medicman71]

Well that's odd. Wonder why it did that.

[speedgraflex]

Whenever I see you paint AS-12 I just want to send you my spaceships! That is some tasty grain free paint application, John! Great work. Sincerely. I have only one idea about the interference layer using hairspray though, sorry! I wish I had more experience. My only thought was I think what happened on White 8 happened here and I wonder if you are using the same hairspray? I would just toss the can and get another one. I think the aerosol can mix is bad.

[jkim]

Hmmm... maybe! But as opposed to the hairspray not working, it was as if it worked TOO well. The hairspray is supposed to created instability between the ZC and silver so that was definitely achieved. But the ZC paint layer, instead of coming off little bits at a time, came off in sheets. It was actually kind of amusing to be able to wipe off the ZC layer COMPLETELY with just water while preserving COMPLETELY the silver layer beneath.

Since then, I wiped the silver areas off with a clean rag moistened with Windex to get any residual "stuff" off so I could start afresh. I unscrewed a new bottle of MIG Heavy Chipping Effects liquid and sprayed that onto the wing. It went on LUMPY. I waited a few minutes to see if it would level and it just sat there LUMPY. Didn't feel good about it so I wiped it off and have since sprayed it with the original hairspray but a much lighter coat.

BTW... I think the K-4 episode involved MIG Scratches Effect solution and tape! The stuff initially did not want to chip at all, hence my decision to use the hairspray here.

[speedgraflex]

Apologies for messing up the details of what happened with your K-4. I inverted your solution! Hairspray saved the day rather than ruined it. Apologies, John. I should have revisited your narrative before writing a reply.

[jkim]

Actually... I had to revisit my own narrative to remember what happened there.

[speedgraflex]

No worries! Good luck with Round 2! All the best!