Before I go further, a bit of a backtrack on the fin colour. The Heller info shows it as light grey but I couldn't find any photos showing that. After I'd posted my request on the subject, Larry found a colour profile of the Tunnan (as per Heller markings) showing a grey fin but I've still not tracked down any photos of it so I'm still to be convinced.

Björn posted info that suggested the fins were either dark green or NMF and I had wondered whether someone had mistaken a dull Aluminium fin for light grey for the Heller markings. So, in the absence of anything proving me wrong I'm going for an overall NMF finish. Thanks to Larry and Björn for the info.

Back to the build ...

I don't do NMF finishes (or silver either) as I'm no good at it, but the Tunnan was a chance to have a go. I'd heard about Gunze Sangyo Mr Metal paints and I wanted to give them a try although they're not cheap. Before I go further, don't confuse this stuff with Gunze Sangyo Mr Super Metal color as that's different stuff and a lot more expensive.

Anyway, I bought 2 jars last year, Aluminium and Chrome Silver. All my tests have shown they're no different, which didn't please me at all. Either that or I've bought some wrongly labelled paint. I used Aluminium for the Tunnan, here's the culprit:



The first thing to say is it's great to spray straight from the jar, needs no special undercoat (unlike Alclad) and it goes on beautifully. It also seems to be very forgiving as the kit surface has taken a lot of damage on its journey.

BUT ....

It ain't aluminium. Not even close. The pictures don't show it up but it's really very bright and sparkly and to be honest it's closer to silver than anything else. Using a silver rattle can would have got the same effect.

ALSO ...

It's very weird stuff as it dries to a powder. This means it can be buffed but you can't get an even finish so the whole point of it being buffable is irrelevant. When I tested it last year I tried it on a number of primers and base colours (inc black, ala Alclad) and it seemed to make no difference

It also never dries out. This a photo of me rubbing some of it yesterday on a test piece that was sprayed last year.



Back to the Tunnan. I gave it a coat of the stuff and then tried buffing it, which didn't work out very well as I got a very patchy and uneven finish. So I gave it another coat and left it alone. I then sprayed Klear on it, which seals quite well. It also dulled down the finish, which was handy.

I've now got to figure out how to tone it down further, some panel washes (and maybe filters) may do the job but I'm going to have to experiment. If you want a silver finish it's worth giving this stuff a go. But if you want a NMF finish forget it.

One other thing, it's a bitch to clean out of the airbrush, luckily for me I got a cheap double action airbrush (when I bought a new compressor last year) and I use it specifically for spraying metal.

(The photo really doesn't show up the brightness of the finish, if it looked like this in real life I'd be happier)




Neil

If you wake up in the morning feeling like you've had it, be grateful.

http://www.neilscrim.co.uk

What you say sounds like my experience with most "metallic" paints. That's why I use Alclad and have never looked back. Goes on great right out of the bottle, undercoat is optional for most shades, covers well and evenly, and cleans up without leaving sparkly stuff in the airbrush. And finally, the makers know how to spell "aluminum".

But having said that, your Tunnan looks mighty fine with the Mr Metal paint.

Stuart

I'm not a big fan of working with these colours either

But practice makes perfect - and it's always usefull to learn from someone elses practice - I think I'll give Alclad a try some day

Still, the Tunnan looks nice

* * *
William De Coster / Belgium / Plastic Stories

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Looks like the old standbys are not done yet !!!!!

Thanks,
Allan

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

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