Weathering on Satin Latex paints
 

I will be using latex paints on my warbird project and have some questions regarding weathering over latex. I haven't decided if I'll use interior or exterior, what brand, or even what finish yet.

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This much I do know...

1) I want the plane to END UP with a SATIN finish.

2) I also plan to do extensive weathering details and airbrush-work over the latex.

3) I want to protect the airbrushed weathering effects from wear, gas, cleaners, etc. that may damage/remove them.
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I've read how some of you use clearcoats over latex and/or weathering to seal everything up. I don't want the yellowing effects of oil-based clearcoats, so that' not an option. Nelson Hobbies has Gloss and Flat, but not satin (I suppose you could mix half-n-half of each to get satin).

I think a detail gun will not be able to shoot a fine enough pattern for weathering detail, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get latex through my Iwata airbrush, probably not... so I may be using water-based model acrylics to weather with. This is what leads me to believe I'll need a clear topcoat, in which case the "finish" of the base/color coats would be irrelevant... The clearcoat would determine the final finish.

Experiences with such issues would be appreciated. Advice on latex finish options, brands, weathering paints and clearcoats under the above criteria would also be helpful.

Thanks,

Neo

Weathering on Satin Latex paints
 

For what it's worth, latex works just fine in an airbrush. The key is thinning to about the consistancy of skim milk. Latex is high weight, but also very high coverage, so it doesn't take a lot to cover (even a light color over a dark one). If you are going to be using gas or diesel power and don't need to be hot fuel proof, there are satin finish clear water-based urethanes which can be used to seal things up. Urethane is also heavy, so be careful. (BTW, water based urethanes can be sprayed with an airbrush, too.) Good luck, Dzl :)

Weathering on Satin Latex paints
 

Thanks for the info. I'll be running gas, so glow-proofing is not an issue. However, I read a couple posts that said water-based polys are not gasoline proof?

Neo

Weathering on Satin Latex paints
 

Here is the usual source for latex model painters, Ray V's article on painting with latex:
http://www.modelairplanenews.com/how_to/latex1.asp
As I recall, he says not to worry about clear coating at all with gassers; just use a satin finish latex enamel.

Weathering on Satin Latex paints
 

Yeah, I've read that a few times. My concern with that technique is the lack of protection for my airbrushed weathering. I don't think I'll be using latex for that... need to test it. If not, I'll need to seal the weathering to avoid losing all that work.

Neo

RE: Weathering on Satin Latex paints
 

Just wanted to follow up on my thread to finish the thought.

Finished painting and weathering my SBD using latex and waterbased acrylics. Here's a shot of the airframe all done. Still lotsa work left to do, but at least the painting and weathering is done.

The latex satin exterior covered very well with very little paint. I did a little weathering/mottling with latex, but the majority of the weathering was done with waterbased hobby acrylics (Model Masters, Tamiya and Poly Scale), all shot through an Iwata airbrush.

All this was then sealed in with 3 coats of Nelson Hobby water-based Polyurethane clear coat paint. Here's a shot of the plane right before the clear was shot.

http://www.renderwurx.com/rc/SBD/gfx...icture0026.jpg

Here's a complete article...

http://www.renderwurx.com/rc/SBD/htm...weathering.htm

Tom

RE: Weathering on Satin Latex paints
 

Tom, your plane looks great and the article is interesting and informative. I am just in the testing stages now of using exterior latex for the first time. So far the results are great. My attempts at using Nelson's paint have not resulted in what I am looking for, however I have not tried their clear. The old K&B is back under a new name, http://klasskote.com/ I have been thinking of trying that as a clear coat over the latex. Do you have any thoughts on that?

RE: Weathering on Satin Latex paints
 

Don't know anything about Klasskote. If it's epoxy based paint, it should be fine over latex, but definitely do some rigorous testing befor using it on a project.

Tom