Minicraft 1/48 T-34A

[keavdog]

Interesting theory. I'm glad you can make use of the decals!

[Medicman71]

John, my theory is that much of what we see when looking at reflective surfaces is the sky, which is blue on good days. I have done many of my nmf models this way. The other shoe to drop is that I have a lot of Olds Engine Blue that I have little other use for. By the way, I will be using some of those T-34 decals you sent me on this model.

May have to try this on a paint mule and see how it looks.

[Stuart]

Interesting theory about the blue John - looking good so far.

[jeaton01]

I followed the blue with a rub down with SNJ aluminum powder. Boy does that show any flaws. The picture is after after working on those. Next I sprayed Alclad ALC 101 aluminum.

[keavdog]

You are an NMF groundbreaker. Never heard Alclad over SNJ what's your theory there John?

[Medicman71]

Very nice!

[jeaton01]

You are an NMF groundbreaker. Never heard Alclad over SNJ what's your theory there John?

Not really a groundbreaker, John. In the dim past before SNJ and the first Alclad, there was a fellow (Les Sundt, I think) who did some outstanding metal finishes using aluminum powder, applying it over a paint substrate that was tacky enough to have it adhere. I can only imagine how well he prepared the plastic, because unless the finish is absolutely smooth all the way down using the powder will show every defect in sheen difference and smoothness. In the way I used it here over the blue and under the Alclad II, it allows a thinner application of the Alclad, while also allowing you to see any defects and rapidly correct them, sometimes with multiple sessions of applying the powder and fixing issues since it is immediately possible to repeat the process. The downside is you must be careful not to smear errant powder on anything you may have nearby. For a messy person like me that is sometimes an issue, but that's just the way I roll.

[tempestjohnny]

I still have a bottle of SNJ. I'll have to experiment with this

[jeaton01]

Unlike the F4D, the decals on this one were a delight. They were Caracal decals gifted to me by John Keavney, what a Prince!

[keavdog]

Happy to help John. Looking awesome!