Hi,
I'm currently building an Airfix Do-17z, and due to budgetary constraints I'm hand painting rather than airbrushing. I've done a couple of models previously using rattle cans, but in this case, largely due to paint colours, I'm hand painting.
I'm using Tamiya XF-23 light blue for the underside, and unlike an earlier thread have got the hang of Tamiya acrylics (I think), having hit upon getting it on quick and not revisiting a rapidly drying area with the brush. It's gone on beautifully smooth, with only a few brush marks evident after 3 coats, which I can live with.
The upper side of the fuselage, however, is a different story entirely. Here I am using Humbrol 241 and 242 as per instructions. Apart from the fact that even after thorough mixing there is less differentiation between the colours than I would have expected, it has produced a very rough and fragile finish. ThIs is despite very thin coats. I've tried putting future on, but it makes little difference, I had hoped it would 'self level' and produce a smoother finish? Any tips?
As for masking content, how do you avoid a ridge line between two different colours where they have butted up against the masking tape? I've ordered some Micro-mesh, but even with the finest grade the state of the paint is such that I think it would just strip it.
All suggestions most welcome!