The Ship Model Forum

As you guys might know, I decided to use Tamiya Navy Blue/Testors Dark Sea Blue combo to represent 5-N/20-B.
However, Testors' spray is way to glossy, so I am looking to dumb it down a little.
So currently I am using Testors Dull Cote. It sorta does a job, but very slightly, so it still shines. Which spray should I use instead? TS-80? PS-55?

Try Tamiya Flat Base XF 86 mixed with Future. You can airbrush this, but clean out your airbrush well right after. Start about 50/50 and add one or the other until you achieve the amount of matte you want. You can get a perfectly dead flat surface with it. Don't use Tamiya Flat Base by itself as it will dry with a chalky-white residue which will disappear when over-sprayed with the right mixture.

Ah, I don't have an airbrush, it's incompatible with my wife

You can brush it on, but it won't look as nice.

Now this you have to explain to us!



No, seriously, maybe we can give you the right arguments for you to use?

Lose the wife, and gain an airbrush!

Well, before we lived in a 1-bedroom, so I could go to the flight of stairs to spray from a rattle can.
Now we rent 2 bedroom, so it is less of an argument, but I think it's more of a psychological aspect - an airbrush would mean a terminal and irreversible stage.

Well, coming on this forum has already made your modelling habit terminal and irreversible...

But really, do you support her interests and hobbies? Maybe she could support yours?
Anyway, getting an airbrush and compressor isn't a big deal: they are just tools, and they are as easily discarded (sold, thrown away, or just collecting dust in the attic) as anything else if you lose interest...
Just my 2c of course

Cheers,

Marijn

Vallejo makes matt, satin and gloss varnishes - they all work very well and I'm sure could be hand brushed. The bottles are small the fluids white - but they dry clear. (A matte fluid medium from an art store would work too, more money but way bigger bottle - Golden is best, Liquitex okay.) The Pledge/Tamiya clear base works pretty well - but handbrushing Pledge makes it more glossy so you might want to try 3 Pledge: 1 Tamiya Clear, and if that doesn't work, go to 3:2. (If you ever want a really gloss coat, brush on straight Pledge - it's considerably brighter than done with an airbrush.) If you don't mind a spray can, Testors makes a matt clear that's very dull. Matte finishes have their place (very useful to put on before a pinwash) but I'd say some shade of satin - maybe toward matte I think would usually work as well.
Eric

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A model boat is much cheaper than a real one and will not sink with you in it.

Have to agree with Biggles. Lose the wife, buy a good airbrush. Your airbrush will never get mad at you if you forget your anniversary (the day you bought it). It will never get mad and make you sleep on the couch if you use or test another airbrush. Your airbrush is always ready to do what you want it to do. Your airbrush will never take your credit card and go shopping. Your airbrush will never get mad it if finds you looking at catalogues with other airbrushes in it. Your airbrush will never get mad it if sees you checking out other airbrushes. Your airbrush will never get mad at you if you don't take it out for a while.

Just a few of the reasons airbrushes are better than wives!

Bob M.

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Give me a fast ship, for I would like to get out of harm's way!

How true!!

Hey.....I think you guys have hit on something here !

We need to start a domestic relations advice thread. It could advance the hobby by decades !



(or make a lot of lawyers richer)

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"Why spoil the beauty of a thing with legalities"
Teddy Roosevelt .."The Wind & The Lion"

That is the only post I have read here in this forum that makes me laugh so hard!!! Lol

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On the way:
--1/350 Tamiya DKM Tirpitz Nov 1944

--1/350 scratch-build HMS Lion never built battleship (1938)

And our artworks!

Actually, I think a very SLIGHT sheen looks better than a completely dead flat finish.