silver911

Very true mate Thanks for advice and input 👍 Ron

Where to begin! Long story short...1 seal coat (Mr Super Clear Matt) and 4 coats of primer (Mr Surfacer 1500 in a 50/50 ratio with Mr Colour Leveling Thinners) later...still the same result!!! I did not take pics as I was so frustrated/disappointed...again! Whilst outside having a smoke...and holding the rear wing in my hand...a neighbor wandered over...asked what I was holding...so...we got chatting...and I explained all the crap I was having with the two wings. "How about I put them through my ultra sonic cleaner"...so...having nothing to lose I handed them over...and off he went. 45 minutes later...he handed me back 2 'frosted' wings! He told me to give them another sanding...then give them back to him for another run through the US cleaner...and 25 minutes after handing them to him...following a thorough sanding...I got the two wings back. In my rush to get them primed...I forgot to take a pic but...the only way to describe how they looked is a pure white/frosted finish all over. Not wanting to waste another load of the 1500 surfacer...I used my cheap rattle can stuff...which has always worked in the past...and the result............ Obviously...this is only the first stage (primer)...and adds a little pressure in hoping the silver goes down equally well...but I feel I now have a fighting chance Will leave them for 36 hours before thinking about applying a metal shade. Ron to be continued.......

What can I say Rich...superlatives just don't suffice. I know of maybe five people who can scratch and weather to this standard...actually...what I should have said was...four others besides yourself. Respect Ron

What wil be eh mate! And anything else that will cross mate Knowing me...I will be up in the wee small hours........... I have to say...the difference in the colour after the second scrub with soapy water struck me as being a lot to do with left over bleach...as both I and Pascal reached the same conclusion. It's certainly something to remember for the future...more so...as this has never happened to me before. Cheers guys Ron

Right...following Pascal's comment about possible remaining bleach in the plastic...from de-chroming...both wings have been scrubbed twice...with warm soapy water...a day apart. Strangely enough...they look whiter (frosted) in appearance now... I have now got the bits I ordered...and have given the wings a seal coat...which I will now leave for 24 hours...then give them a dusting of the Mr Surfacer...fingers crossed... to be continued.......

This is what makes you such a high level modeller...the research you have done into the 'real world' aspects...structural strength...load bearing ability etc. ...then translated the information gained...into practical application within the model...nice one 👍 With regard to the x-brace...I much prefer the revised version...a higher level of perceived reality...it works! Something I have mentioned before...and still think would add a worthwhile level of detail...weld beads/seams...as much as nuts and bolts also work...welds always look right...just a thought Nick. And...yes...I am glad you like the generator/power hub idea...and look forward to your interpretation of it. Lastly...I honestly think some search/spot lights would...again...raise the perceived level of reality. Pete's net idea is a really good one...and I feel it will introduce a nice offset to all the hard surfaces/materials. As much as I enjoy putting ideas forward...it's the greater fun of how you perceive and interpret them...that gives me the biggest buzz. Please feel free to ignore any and all suggestions mate...I wouldn't be offended in the least. Ron

Your very welcome Andrew Here is another option...(they have other sizes).....https://prime-miniatures.co.uk/content/course-simulated-conduit-19mm-brass-colour-45cm Ron

That's an update and a half mate...you have been a busy boy! Now...me being me...something has been bugging me for a while...couldn't quite put my finger on it...until now. It was your comment about the wheels popping off with the weight that finally registered with me...and the 'X-brace you have added at the back of the station...which I like by the way 👍 So...here it comes...it's the trailer bed itself! Let me clarify this with an example...if you look at the bed of the half cab...and keep in mind it's main purpose is to transport a 'wasp'...it looks like it can easily hold the weight...and more. Now look at the bed of the main trailer...it's the relative thickness I am referring to...to my eye...it's just too thin to spread/carry the weight of the station evenly...if at all...I mean the whole vehicle. Obviously...you have to strike a balance with perceived 'reality'...too heavy in appearance...and your brain tells you it wouldn't be going anywhere! I get what you say about the flight deck...your reasoning makes perfect sense...however...I return to a comment I made earlier in the build...the space at the front of the trailer/station is...to my eye...the perfect place to mount a generator to power the workshop and station. This would also provide you with the ideal 'hub'...from which to route your cables/power lines etc. to the whole structure...including a couple of main boards/fuse boxes on strategic locations on the exterior of same. I must stress...the above are my personal observations...in no way are they any kind of criticism...meant only for consideration...so feel free to ignore. Your scratch work is sublime...much more difficult than my work on the 312T...where I am replicating a given part that all can readily identify...which is far easier than what you are trying to achieve. Believe me...I am enjoying watching this come together...just as much as your enthusiasm shines through in each update. Respect Ron

May I suggest you look at page 12 on my 312T thread Andrew. If you scroll down near the bottom...you will see a very similar hose that I made...and a description of how I made it. The technique is simple...and once you have it shaped to your needs...it can then be painted yellow. Hope this helps Ron

Real class mate...a great build by anybody's standards...well done you Look forward to the MFH 'Bug'. Respect Ron

Never need to apologise for offering to help mate. I have the thinner as well Many thanks for ratio info...very useful. Cheers Ron

Hi mate...strangely enough...I just came across a jar of it I had forgotten I had...and I am inclined to agree with you regards the Zero...so Mr Surfacer 1500 it shall be. Also...since Pascal's comment earlier...I have scrubbed both wings in warm soapy water to kill any possible remaining bleach that was absorbed. I will also order some Mr Super Clear Matt come payday...somewhere in there is the solution. Cheers Ron

Hi Chris...thanks for compliment and thoughts...will have a look at that Barcoat...nice one mate I did have some but can't find it...but still need to get primer issue sorted...appreciate suggestion Makes sense Pascal...and reinforces my thinking that the primer is being attacked from beneath...meaning the plastic is leaching something out...whether it's the bleach...or mold residue. On the off chance it's the bleach...a good wash in warm soapy water might do the trick. Thanks for input chaps Ron

Just as an aside to the problems...the pics show the other parts I also primed...same level of sanding...same primer...no issues at all..... Makes it all the more confusing! Ron

Hi Toby, many thanks for suggestion. Personally...I have never liked Alclad...far too fragile for my liking...especially with the amount of handling the wings will incur whilst assembling etc. Kindest regards Ron

Worth a shot Malc Without a name I don't know what I am looking for mate. Update me if you remember it please. Never knew that...nice one for info. Would you know a rough dilution ratio for alcahol?

Hi Pascal...and thanks for recommendation of 'Gravity Colours'...problem is getting it over here...none of my usual suspects stock it ! My primary concern remains the same...in that the primer is being attacked from below by something in the plastic itself. Failing that...the Zero primer reacted with the plastic...and that reaction continued into the silver following it. Input is much appreciated. Ron

Hi Nick...not such a stupid idea...in fact...a technique I often use after filling a gap...it blends the filler into the plastic nicely. In this particular instance...I am a bit loath to spread it over the wings as such...simply in case it goes badly wrong...which...given the current state of affairs...is highly likely. Cheers Ron

Thanks for suggestion mate...however...my experience with shellac many years ago was it's a heavy bodied varnish...much like yacht varnish. I really need something I can airbrush. Thanks for the idea...much appreciated. Ron

Hi mate If you look at the last pic directly above 'Chapter2'...and read the below explanation...you will see that I sanded the primer smooth...so decided to spray the silver next day...which didn't at first look to bad...but...then 3 hours later (see pics). Probably my bad lay out of story Malc. Ron

Trouble is Malc...as per the pic I posted earlier...the primer went down ok when applied...it was 3 hours later that the defects began to appear...no top coat had been applied! This is my reasoning for suggesting the primer is being attacked from below...i.e. the plastic itself. I understand what your saying about how 'hot' a top coat can be...but...being as I use a lacquer (Zero) primer/filler...and leave for 24 hours minimum...an acrylic or enamel top coat would not usually be considered 'hot'...but correct me if I am wrong. Your thoughts are much appreciated mate Ron

I had also considered 'Klear' as an option Mr C. My main concern is it's longevity under lacquers...also...I am sick of stripping back and sanding now...with the ever present risk of opening up more defects...that...and inadvertently altering the profile of the parts. I for one have never come across this particular problem in 45 years of modelling...just proves there is always something to learn. Cheers for thoughts Ron

One thing that seems to have gone right...the PE fittings and plates etc. Also...I have to re-scribe the dividing line on the main body of the rear wing...it wasn't in quite the right place...so I took the opportunity to fill it in. to be continued.......

And this is where I stand as of this morning...both wings stripped back and a re-sand done..... My plan is to order some Mr Hobby Matte Varnish and give both wings a good dusting with it. My reasoning being...the plastic needs sealing before a re-prime...hopefully that will do the trick...but...open to other suggestions?....... Ron to be continued.......

Chapter 2..... Having put down a good few coats of the primer/filler...my first option was to give the wings a gentle sand with 800 grit sponges. This seemed to do the trick...so...nothing ventured nothing gained...I went ahead and gave them four coats of silver..... But...two hours later..... Right...my theory is this... When you de-chrome Tamiya parts...you are left with a glossy/yellowish finish...this...in my previous experience...refuses to accept glue or paint...so needs sanding down...to provide a 'key' for these to take to. I believe that...in doing this...the surface has become 'micro porous'...that is to say...it has opened up lots of tiny imperfections in the base plastic. Not only that but...my instincts tell me...the plastic is 'leaching' something...which is attacking the primer and paint from below! If any members have suffered similar issues...and have a solution...please feel free to tell me Ron to be continued.......