StuartMont

Okay, so the sequence should be micro set, first decal, micro set, overlay decal, micro sol. Do I have it right?

Hey guys, when you stack decals like this does the micro sol go on the bottom decal before you place the overlapping decal? thanks! Stuart

Thanks for the kind words and for providing your insight into successful model building. I’m also going to buckle down and mix and apply a wash to the engine displayed on the dolly. Someone earlier commented that it looked way too clean, I took that as a compliment 😀 Stuart

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Good morning, Based on what I see it sure seems only one coat is required and I worry that I put too much on. can you tell by looking at the photos? 24 hours will be up after lunch so it’s time for decals. The tail fin is chock full of them so I’ll start there and will post results. As always thanks for the help! Stuart

Thanks for the prompt reply. I do not own an airbrush (yet). Stuart

Quick question. Do I need to wait between coats of the gloss? It’s going on tomorrow morning. thanks!

Awesome, thanks!

Good morning again, I followed the exacto/decal set solution method to get the decals on the fuel tank to settle down. It worked great at the locations where I actually placed the decals in the right spot. The photo shows these, one being a little off center but it still settled down nicely. I am happy with the results, thanks!

Good morning, Thanks for the very detailed recommendations. I went to Walmart yesterday and bought Revive It and will proceed with your directions on the decals on this F-16. Since restarting model building I have used nothing but acrylic paints. I assume using oils on top of acrylic paint is an issue - it was pointed out to me that water based washes are required in this case. So if I go down the road with oils do I have to change my paint type? Stuart

Ralph, Thanks so much for taking the time to write out your procedures. I’m getting very close to finishing the painting so this is all next. Yeah, I do get your last point, especially when I saw there were so many ways to make a wash for weathering a model (something I have not been brave enough to do yet). Once I get bolder with the models I need to decide. Stuart

Thanks for the responses guys and thanks for explaining slivering, I googled it and found nothing relevant to this conversation. As usual though I need to pester you with some questions. All of the models I have built were done “by the book” in terms of paint. When I read glossy my mind goes to shiny and looking at my models this doesn’t seem to apply. 1. In the future is this a procedure that can be used “universally” or rather just at problem areas? You could see that I’ve whined about decals from the moment I recommenced building planes 😀 2. If I do this, for example, on an upper wing surface am I now coating the entire upper surface of the plane to even out the appearance? 3. Is the procedure described by Gil equivalent to the “2 step” decal solutions I see online? I am embarrassed to say that it takes me a long time to write these posts because I don’t want to insult anyone with stupid questions. If I could go to Las Vegas in August I would personally thank you all for helping me. Stuart

Thanks guys. Solvents will be another first for me with this model but appear to be very straightforward so I’ll post results, fingers crossed. I will take heed to the advice on caution. I actually bought it in the hopes it would help me remove ruined decals on my F-14 so I’ll make sure I have the right stuff. I’ll post more progress on this one. Stuart

Good morning everyone. Thanks for allowing me to present these progress photos for the F-16. There have been some significant challenges to inexperienced modelers with this one. The decals on the weapons have also been troublesome. For example, the fuel tanks have decals placed over uneven surfaces. Getting them to stick was a real chore. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on how to treat this issue. Please don’t hold back on comments, anything and everything. As you will notice I have not attempted any washes, etc. as recommended . . . Thanks very much guys.

Thanks for the response Gil. I did some searching of the basement and it looks like glue in place is the answer. Stuart

Hey guys, hope everyone is well. as shown on the instructions i put two polly caps to accommodate the tail wings. Unfortunately it appears that one of the caps dislodged when i glued the fuselage piece over them. So the tail wing now, of course, just flops in with no support. I could glue the tail wing in place and leave the other side moveable. one other thought i had was to stuff the hole with modeling clay and insert the tail wing into that. If anybody has other thoughts I’d like to hear them. Thanks all in advance, Stuart

Thanks very much for the “recipes” Pete and Gil. Lot’s to consider to make the engine look more realistic. Stuart

Thanks for the prompt recommendation , I tend to dive right in 😀

I only have used acrylic paint and water to clean my brushes so I’ll look for a wash online. It looks like there’s lots to choose from. I do see that the majority of them seem to be enamel so cleaning brushes will be different. As always, thanks! Stuart

Thanks Gil. I appreciate all of the advice provided by you folks on fixing the issue PeteJ - are you thinking of a specific color wash? I’ll also do some research about it. Bought a book on weathering aircraft but still waiting for it. Stuart

Just wanted to show you my progress on the model. I’m going to display the engine on the dolly next to the finished plane. As usual would love to hear comments and suggestions. thanks, Stuart

So I used Vallejo Acrylic Putty to (try and) fill the gaps. I went through 3 cycles of apply, wait 20 minutes, trim, wait 24 hours, sand. I think I made a mess of it. There are two photos attached that are from the same view as the first two I posted. There are some areas that look pretty good and more that don't. I think I failed the go real slow advice. Also, on the first pass I put way too much on it. Getting the excess off made a mess right from the start and I had to sand too far beyond the gap. The last two passes I did a much better job of application. Saving grace, a good length of the gaps will be hidden by other pieces. Please provide any thoughts you might have. I do have a few questions: 1. Should I have put the five major pieces of the engine body together before painting? I know hindsight is 20/20 but that would have saved some of the problems. 2. I definitely want to put an FOD cover on the exhaust end. I've tried to use google images to see what this might look like. Perhaps someone has a photo of a real F-16 engine with the cover. Do you all think this is something I will have to fabricate myself? I have tried to look online at hobby stores, etc. and have found nothing. Thanks so much! Stuart

I really appreciate the kind words and most of all the patience with my incessant need to ask for clarification on provided responses. Per usual I will print out the responses providing experienced insight and recommendations to my ever thickening notebook. Once I had the opportunity to restart this hobby the best thing I did was join this organization and post on these forums. I am very happy with the Mosquito. I got very excited when I found a YouTube video with the exact paint scheme I chose for this one. What a beautiful plane and I think I did it justice. As I noted I am starting on the 1/32 F-16 and already ran into issues with the engine needing advice from you folks. Those questions I posted to the “tips . . .“ forum. Stuart

Awesome and thanks!

I hope you guys don‘t think I was rude but I did not know these additional responses were posted. I did end up fixing this, it looks a bit jury-rigged but only if you get real close 😀 I will do some homework to see if I can set notifications when folks post responses to my questions. Don‘t want anyone thinking I am ignoring someone taking their time to help me. Love these model planes. Stuart