Once upon a time, I loved building models, but I was young and foolish. So I would just build them as fast as possible and not worry about things like the right colors of paint etc. In retrospect, I’ve regretted this although this hobby did give me great joy when I was young. So I don’t regret it that much.
I started with models again as a hobby when I was stuck at home during Pandemic lockdowns. I’ve focused on building a number of American and British fighters from what my dad always called “THE WAR”. I’m painting by hand, not airbrush. I’ve gotten sufficient competent for me at assembling and painting the models although the canopies still unnerve me. So I have an essentially completed P-40, P-47, P-51 (two), Corsair, Spitfire and Hurricane. And a B25 because that was a great example of the type of problem solving.
And, now, I face the question of what to do after they look good enough painted (at least to me !) but without decals. I bought Testors Glosscote and Dullcote, which seems to be a potential next step. I don’t like the look of the first plane I’ve used clearcote on — not too shiny, more that it’s a little yellowish.
Is the “cote” a necessary next step? Or can I go right to decals? Or should I try a different clearcote or Dullcote from Testors? Or perhaps the problem is that I should “thin” it before painting it on (not using airbrush)?
I will not be offended by any comments that you might have and will contemplate them all carefully.