Hello all, I have nothing but trying to piant gloss on aircraft. It goes on like oil on water. I use all differant brands and same problum. What is the secret with gloss paint ? Do you prime? I have a F-4B that I need to paint gloss gray. I gave up and pianted the lower part flat white for now . Can I put gloss white over top ( both Tamiya ) .

Thanks ...
Help Rigger .....................

Sounds like you are trying to put it on too fast and too thick. I would prime it as well. With gloss coates, you need to put on a couple of dust coats first. Just mist the model and let it dry fully. After a couple dust coats, you can then apply the final coat and allow it to flow so it comes out smooth. Glosses are harder to work with than flats, as you are probably finding out.

Hopefully you washed your model before trying to paint it. Gloss paints will go on better over a primer coat. You should have no problem going over the flat white, As Gino said, do light dust coats first, building up to a final wet coat. The same with the grey upper surfaces, a grey primer coat, then dust on a few light coats of the gloss grey, then a final wet coat.
Hopefully you are using an airbrush.....

Rigger, at the risk of not answering your question, do you HAVE to use gloss paint? You may have better luck using a flat finish paint, then adding a gloss cote prior to application of decals. Flat paints are much easier to work with than gloss paints.

Further, while the color call out for the F-4B is indeed a gloss finish (FS16440), these birds would definitely weather to a matt finish on the top sides, with a satin finish on the undersides. Only a factory fresh bird would still have a gloss finish.


Now to actually answer your question.........I always prime whatever I'm painting, irregardless of finish. As others have mentioned, mist coats are probably your best bet, assuming you have an airbrush. And yes, freshly washed plastic is a must prior to painting gloss paint. If you do not have an airbrush, I would highly recommend using flat finish paints.

The picture shows what is possible if you clean the plastic, prime, and use mist coats. No gloss coat has been added, and the paints were Gunze Aqueous thinned 50/50 with rubbing alcohol.




Good luck, and most importantly, have fun.