U-Boat and subs

[Simon Bags]

I'm sort of half way finishing a U-Boat at the moment, but I've sort of lost interest. I've also got a boxed US WW2 sub in the attic as well, anyone ventured into this realm of models?

Bags.

[Red Firecracker]

Simon Bags said:

I'm sort of half way finishing a U-Boat at the moment, but I've sort of lost interest. I've also got a boxed US WW2 sub in the attic as well, anyone ventured into this realm of models?

Bags.

Any pics? Something either Das Boot esq or Cold War has been on my list to do for ages.

[Simon Bags]

Red Firecracker said:

Simon Bags said:

I'm sort of half way finishing a U-Boat at the moment, but I've sort of lost interest. I've also got a boxed US WW2 sub in the attic as well, anyone ventured into this realm of models?

Bags.

Any pics? Something either Das Boot esq or Cold War has been on my list to do for ages.

It's a type 4 Atlantic U_boat, one of the big things (model wise, about 2ft long or more). I would post pictures, would love to post pictures, but they're on my local hard drive and you think I can work out how to post them? Nah. I use the add picture bit, locate the picture, it loads it, but when I post it, I get the red cross thing.

Typical.

[Eric Mc]

Have you tried the "Upload an image (beta)" facility just above the box where you type in your post?

[Simon Bags]

Eric Mc said:

Have you tried the "Upload an image (beta)" facility just above the box where you type in your post?

Yep. I've even made my images small in size so they don't exceed the 2mb limit. It asks me where my images are, I tell it, upload it, says sucessful, then it shows the complete path to my image, but no image shows when I submit the message, just the red cross of death.

Like this:

[Simon Bags]

Let's try another then....

[Simon Bags]

Hey, this is working......got a few but let's have one more just so you can see how rubbish at painting I am....

[Red Firecracker]

Ah, success! Looking good as well.

What are you painting with (brush, rattle can, airbrush)? Just wondering if you're pre-shading the panel lines ready for another light coat of grey over the top.

[Simon Bags]

Red Firecracker said:

Ah, success! Looking good as well.

What are you painting with (brush, rattle can, airbrush)? Just wondering if you're pre-shading the panel lines ready for another light coat of grey over the top.

Morning. After I'd assembled the hull (which took some time, took some filler, took some sanding), I did some extra aseembly like conning tower etc, and sprayed it all with standard primer (Halfords I think) and then sort of decided that wasn't far off the colour I wanted so left it. That's the only spraying I've done, all the rest is with brush (I thinned down blacks and browns etc, applied with thin brush, then blended in as much I could with a fatter dry brush).

All the bits are more or less built like guns, tower, snorkel are built, just need to be put on, weathered etc.

I really really wish I was an expert at air-brushing. Got the means to get one, just not the knowledge to use it, never even held one and really wouldn't know where to start.

[Red Firecracker]

[quote=Simon Bags

I really really wish I was an expert at air-brushing. Got the means to get one, just not the knowledge to use it, never even held one and really wouldn't know where to start.
[/quote]

Easiest way to learn is to just get one and have a bash. A lot is written about techniques, and getting the right paint consistency etc etc which can be quite daunting, but there's no substitute for getting your hands on one and having a play.

I still use a single action cheapy for a lot of my stuff, only getting out the more expensive dual actions for fine detail etc, so it needn't cost the earth.

A fine spray of grey over your brush painted dark lines will tone them down nicely and give the effect of paneling/plating.

[Evangelion]

Simon, I've found when I upload photos that when I click Return To Topic, they appear as red crosses at first but a couple of refreshes later I can see them. This is probably what's happening to yours 'cos I can see them all.

[Simon Bags]

Evangelion said:

Simon, I've found when I upload photos that when I click Return To Topic, they appear as red crosses at first but a couple of refreshes later I can see them. This is probably what's happening to yours 'cos I can see them all.

Hiya, yep, only sussed that yesterday. Same thing happened, went back to topic, just saw red cross, got annoyed, deleted post, did it again, same thing, then posted, left desk for 2 minutes came back, et voila!

Good stuff.

Simon.

[Simon Bags]

Red Firecracker said:

[quote=Simon Bags

I really really wish I was an expert at air-brushing. Got the means to get one, just not the knowledge to use it, never even held one and really wouldn't know where to start.

Easiest way to learn is to just get one and have a bash. A lot is written about techniques, and getting the right paint consistency etc etc which can be quite daunting, but there's no substitute for getting your hands on one and having a play.

I still use a single action cheapy for a lot of my stuff, only getting out the more expensive dual actions for fine detail etc, so it needn't cost the earth.

A fine spray of grey over your brush painted dark lines will tone them down nicely and give the effect of paneling/plating.

I reckon I might just have to go get one and have a play like you say. I do like brushwork though, very satisfying, but you can't beat the quality of air-brushing for certain areas such as weathering etc, which I miss.

Take it whatever I get, I'm going to need a small generator fo some sort to run it, and I'm guessing I can't just go ahead and use the standard small pots of Humbrol type paints?

I'll do some forum searching and see what I can find.

Thanks for all the tips, comments and help Chaps, really appreciate it.

Simon.

[Red Firecracker]

Simon Bags said:

I reckon I might just have to go get one and have a play like you say. I do like brushwork though, very satisfying, but you can't beat the quality of air-brushing for certain areas such as weathering etc, which I miss.

Take it whatever I get, I'm going to need a small generator fo some sort to run it, and I'm guessing I can't just go ahead and use the standard small pots of Humbrol type paints?

I'll do some forum searching and see what I can find.

Thanks for all the tips, comments and help Chaps, really appreciate it.

Simon.

You could start off with a can of compressed air, but that is an expensive way of going about it.

My first compressor was one of these;



which is about 80 quid on its own or you can get some deals with an airbrush and hose as well. Two companies I have used in the past are;

Everything Airbrush

and

Simple 2 Trade

You can use the small Humbrol pots thinned down, but I'd really encourage you to explore the world of acrylic paints as they smell a bit nicer (!) and are much easier to clean up. They also dry quicker on the model so your work flow is a bit quicker.

I've used these paints before;

Vallejo

although most of my work at the moment is using base coat paints which are essentially car paints pre-thinned for airbrush work.

[Simon Bags]

Red Firecracker said:

Simon Bags said:

I reckon I might just have to go get one and have a play like you say. I do like brushwork though, very satisfying, but you can't beat the quality of air-brushing for certain areas such as weathering etc, which I miss.

Take it whatever I get, I'm going to need a small generator fo some sort to run it, and I'm guessing I can't just go ahead and use the standard small pots of Humbrol type paints?

I'll do some forum searching and see what I can find.

Thanks for all the tips, comments and help Chaps, really appreciate it.

Simon.

You could start off with a can of compressed air, but that is an expensive way of going about it.

My first compressor was one of these;



which is about 80 quid on its own or you can get some deals with an airbrush and hose as well. Two companies I have used in the past are;

Everything Airbrush

and

Simple 2 Trade

You can use the small Humbrol pots thinned down, but I'd really encourage you to explore the world of acrylic paints as they smell a bit nicer (!) and are much easier to clean up. They also dry quicker on the model so your work flow is a bit quicker.

I've used these paints before;

Vallejo

although most of my work at the moment is using base coat paints which are essentially car paints pre-thinned for airbrush work.

Hey thanks, didn't think they'd be that cheap, was thinking they'd be at least twice that price. Agreed on the paints, humbrol will need thinning down and I seem to remember seeing some clips on youtube (boy, those Japanese Guys know how to build and detail models don't they?) and they all seem to use the Tamiya Acrylics.

So, knowing that I'm into the sort of U-Boat and possibly 1/24 Tamiya Car stuff, can you recommend an air-brush as well? Just need something that will cover a reasonable area, but then can be easily adjusted to do some detail work like weathering?

Take it every time you finish spraying, it involves quite a lengthy clean up process?

Simon.

[Red Firecracker]

Simon Bags said:

Hey thanks, didn't think they'd be that cheap, was thinking they'd be at least twice that price. Agreed on the paints, humbrol will need thinning down and I seem to remember seeing some clips on youtube (boy, those Japanese Guys know how to build and detail models don't they?) and they all seem to use the Tamiya Acrylics.

So, knowing that I'm into the sort of U-Boat and possibly 1/24 Tamiya Car stuff, can you recommend an air-brush as well? Just need something that will cover a reasonable area, but then can be easily adjusted to do some detail work like weathering?

Take it every time you finish spraying, it involves quite a lengthy clean up process?

Simon.

Tamiya acrylics still need to be thinned and there are some issues getting hold of Tamiya own brand thinners. However, Halfords screen wash performs the same function! You'll want to play around with pressures etc as well to get the best coverage/coat quality.

As I said earlier, I do 2 main types of spraywork, large area coverage and detail. For large area coverage (which at the moment is the majority of my work) I use this;



Pistol Trigger Airbrush

For fine detail work I started out with one of these;



Spraymaster Ultimate MultiPurpose Gravity Feed Airbrush

These are Chinese copies of superior airbrushes but I feel they are ideal if you are starting out and wish to see if you get on with the concept. I have to say, for the money they are very good and I do still use mine on fine work occasionally. You can get bottom feed versions, but I find gravity feed works best for me. I've since invested in various other brushes from the more well known brands.

I find it best to set out a range of parts needing painting and just work through in one session. For simple colour changes I wipe out the bowl, run some thinners or cleaning solution through the airbrush a couple of times and then start on the next colour, do a quick test spray first onto some paper to check colour/pattern. At the end of the session I'll have a bigger clean, remove the needle etc (I never store my airbrushes with the needle in the brush) and then if I've had a busy week spraying will do a strip down and thorough clean. Yes, it takes a bit more time but the results far outweigh any negatives.

[dr_gn]

Simon Bags said:

Red Firecracker said:

Ah, success! Looking good as well.

What are you painting with (brush, rattle can, airbrush)? Just wondering if you're pre-shading the panel lines ready for another light coat of grey over the top.

Morning. After I'd assembled the hull (which took some time, took some filler, took some sanding), I did some extra aseembly like conning tower etc, and sprayed it all with standard primer (Halfords I think) and then sort of decided that wasn't far off the colour I wanted so left it. That's the only spraying I've done, all the rest is with brush (I thinned down blacks and browns etc, applied with thin brush, then blended in as much I could with a fatter dry brush).

All the bits are more or less built like guns, tower, snorkel are built, just need to be put on, weathered etc.

I really really wish I was an expert at air-brushing. Got the means to get one, just not the knowledge to use it, never even held one and really wouldn't know where to start.

Respray it all with a matt grey rattle can, then buy some Promodeller water based wash and try that. It should give you a more subtle effect, and if you don't like it you can just wash it off with soap and water. If it looks good, just overspray with satin or matt varnish.

http://www.promodeller.com/promodellers-weathering...

[Zad]

Rather than use Tamiya acrylic thinners (which can be both expensive and difficult to obtain) get 1 litre for just over a £10er at Maplin or ordered at your chemist, and a small bottle of acrylic flow improver (you only need a tiny amount) from an art shop.

[dr_gn]

Zad said:

Rather than use Tamiya acrylic thinners (which can be both expensive and difficult to obtain) get 1 litre for just over a £10er at Maplin or ordered at your chemist, and a small bottle of acrylic flow improver (you only need a tiny amount) from an art shop.

I've never seen "Acrylic Thinners" sold at Maplins, or at a Chemists for that matter. I did recently purchase a bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol from the local independent Chemists for not much money. You can happily use this for thinning Tamiya acrylics, and it is much cheaper than the Tamiya stuff.

[Zad]

Sorry, finger trouble

Yep, Isopropyl alcohol is available at Maplin, Chemists etc. A tad cheaper than Tamiya X-20A