I am quite new to modelling and there are many things i am not sure of.....

What is the use of a surface primer?

Use of mr surface 1000 spray?

I never use primers unless I do large areas like ships and some planes. Mr surface 1000 is used for evening out imperfect surfaces.

BH

Welcome aboard, Jim.

Mr. Surfacer is a liquid putty with many usages. The 500 comes in a bottle can be used to fill gaps. I also stipple it on tank hull or turret to dipict casted texture. I use 1000 in a spray can as a primer. The light grey finish will give you a chance to look for imperfections on your model before putting the base coat on. I consider this primer as necessary if you have multi medium on your model. It gives a consistent surface for the base coat to adhere to.

If you use the search facility and type in "Mr. Surfacer" or "Primer" you will find a lot of information that should be able to help you out

Here is one of the discussions that touched on Mr. Surfacer:
Mr. Surfacer

Has anyone tried to use the 500 for making zimmerit? Would it be too difficult to work with?

thanks for the help.....

as for the decals.....wat is the step to apply them to blend it into the parts?

HI Jim,

mr surfacer 500 can be used to depict non-slip texture on modern AFV as well, just mask the areas to remain smooth and then spray from the can.

Decals must be applied to smooth / glossy surfaces or it will "silver" or may not adhere well. Use either Future floor polish sprayed through an airbrush...It's acrylic based, so the flat coat later must be the same medium.

Since I use humbrol paints, I usually apply a clear gloss coat of humbrol by brush to the areas the decals are to be applied, let it dry completely then apply decals. Dry completely, then followed by a final coat of flat clear humbrol paint, by brush to those areas. Then airbush to cover and "seal" the entire model to protect it from the elements and handelling.

For large areas of decal application of course thinned down the gloss and flat coat and use an airbrush.


After placing the decals in luke warm water....to apply decals onto the model, I recommend using Microscale's Micro Sol for setting decals over irregular surfaces. And Micro Set for better adhesion ( for the use with decals that come with kits...they're aren't that great )

Try to cut the excess clear film as close to the decals, as this will prevent airpockets as well as "silvering".

I believe one of our local hobby shops have these, if you need help getting them let me know.

Hi Jim
I don't use Mr. Surface since I build aircraft mostly and don't want a textured surface.
Your second question about decals though, I can help you with.
Here is a link you need to check out about Future.
http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html
When applying decals, you should put on a coat of Future first. When it's dry, you soak each decal in warm water for around 30 seconds and then slide it off the paper and onto the model. Two other products come in handy for this part. Microset and Microsol are the products I use for this step. They help the decal to soften and conform to irregular surfaces. These are not an absoulute must but they are extreemly handy. Last step is to apply another coat of future over the decals.
If you remember anything from this advice, it should be to use Future before and after applying decals. Future eliminates the "silvering" effect under and around the decals caused by tiny air bubbles trapped under the decals. Basically Future creates a smooth surface on the model for the decal to properly stick too.

Hope this helped out, and make sure you check out the link above. It's worth the 5 minutes it take to read it.

Hermon

Sorry Nick, must have been typing my reply as you were already posting yours.

Heres the Future link again.
http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

Hermon

No problem Hermon, Yous describtion was more stright forward, where else I'm long windered..heheh