Just as a note to all Aeroscale members. My name, Russell is spelled with two ss and two lls. Thanks. Ha ha ha.

Sorry Russell..didnt mean to spell your name wrong

It's okay Jim, it isn't you in particular, I have that problem all the time! Ha ha Hope my photos helped you make a decision. Russell

JP, If you are looking for different tones in your aluminum finish( for example,doped wings, or burned metal panels near a jets exhaust)...I use thin coats of Tamiya "smoke" after masking, or even simply flat clearcote.

Thanks Jim.
Yep clear coat and smoke I've got. The sunderland in particular has many shades. I'll use the drybrush technique on
the panels once a solid coat of alu is laid down. it is nice the way the kit is constructed as I can leave the engines and
cowlings off till the end. But this is basically the look I'm after.

Hey JP !

I have seen Jims take on using smoke for shading as well as other members on the site and the effect really works well .

Russell , nice builds !

Thank you for the compliment Terri. Hope it helped Jim make a decision about what paint to use. Russell

I just wanted to weigh in here...

For a beginner, who wants the easiest route to a good NMF, with the lowest probability of problems, I would recommend the Tamiya lacquer spray cans. They have a good quality spray nozzle and are very easy to use. THere is no need to decant the paint - just "dust" on the paint carefully and build up your finish over multiple coats. The paint dries quickly. Go slow, and spray light. Once you have a nice base of the Tamiya, you can then mask off some panels and spray them with differing shades of Alclad if you choose. The Tamiya produces a very durable base, and will protect the plastic from the Alclad, which is pretty hot.

Go to my blog and find my 1/32 Ki-84. This was my very first attempt at natural metal. I used Tamiya AS-12 spray can, then Alclad for the varying panels.

Be warned - this stuff STINKS, and if you're married, could result in divorce.

..nice blog Bill ! ... and good call on the cans.

I was going to post a similar response, although my 'can' of choice is Halfords 'Aluminium' automotive spray paint...can also be polished to varying degrees of sheen with 'Brasso' metal polish...

This is great stuff folks can't thank you all enough. I've also been practicing with BMF on my little shorts Sc.1
although it would work out hideously expensive for the sunderland it will work for isolated panels.
Since the LHS seems to be shut every time I go near it. I'll try halfords this evening.
The Dornier Do-X will get the Halfords treatment. I've a few pots of different metallics in enamel from
warhammer days to try out for masking panels and drybrushing them.

Will post results here as I find them. Keep the suggestions coming I'm sure it is helping more folk than me.


Thanks bill. and yes I can't afford a divorce or paint booth just yet so I'll steer clear of spraying alclad.