Undercoat for lozenge decals?

[StevePratt]

I'm curious what you more experienced blokes do to prepare wings/fuselage, etc. for lozenge decals? A colour undercoat, perhaps?

I was playing around with a Roden 1/72 Fokker D.VIII for "practice" as I'd never done a lozenge scheme before. I brushed on a nice coat of Future on the natural plastic, let it dry, then applied the decals. It looks OK, but I couldn't help but wonder if it wouldn't look a bit better had I put on a white undercoat before the Future.

Thanks,

[bobs_buckles]

Hello Steve,

I use a light grey primer first then lightly sand this with 2000 (super fine) wet and dry. I then dust a coat of gloss pollyscale clear. Let that go off and Bob's ya uncle.
I'm positive there is an easier way than this but im cool with it

Cheers.
Bob

[chris_h]

I use a rose pink on the underside and a dark green for the top, with a coat of Futures prior to decal covering. I used to use a light grey on both but the decals are slightly transparent and the colours are influenced by the undercoat. The other advantage is that my mistakes are not so noticeable, but then I’m sure you won’t have that trouble
Chris

[RAGIII]

I have always tried to use an approximation to the Lightest color on the lozenge as a base. That way if you get a small glitch you see something that belongs, instead of a glaring discrepency! JMHO,
RAGIII

[bobs_buckles]

Originally Posted by RAGIII

I have always tried to use an approximation to the Lightest color on the lozenge as a base. That way if you get a small glitch you see something that belongs, instead of a glaring discrepency! JMHO,
RAGIII

Hey Rag,

That makes perfect sense!
I'm going to adopt this method in future... Cheers

Bob Von Buckle

[davecww1]

Chris has the right idea, especially when using kit supplied lozenge from Eduard or Roden that usually looks too light, the dark color will tend to make the slightly transparent lozenge look much better. I do not have that problem by using my favorite Americal Gryphon lozenge, since it is dark enough and also opaque enough that all it requires is a coat of Future clear gloss over the gray plastic. But since they are out of production now I may have to try a new method once my remaining stock is used up!
Dave

Originally Posted by chris_h

I use a rose pink on the underside and a dark green for the top, with a coat of Futures prior to decal covering. I used to use a light grey on both but the decals are slightly transparent and the colours are influenced by the undercoat. The other advantage is that my mistakes are not so noticeable, but then I’m sure you won’t have that trouble
Chris

[Sreiko]

In this way maybe gloss black... but when I hear term too light maybe they want to make it lighter to match scale effect. By the way I don't like scale effect's

[StevePratt]

Thanks for all the input, guys. Definately got some food for thought, as I have several lozenge schemes on my to do list.

Cheers!

[StephenLawson]

Eagle Strike, semi gloss clear, white or light cream undercoat just to give the decals something to bite. Then texture with a black wash after thoroughly dry.

[NeilE]

Hi All

Pegasus recommend applying a Khaki colour for the upper lozenge and a Violet or Turquoise for the lower. Rather than add a coat of future over a matt finish prior to the decal application, I just mix some in the Gunze acrylics I use. Gunze acrylics love Future and the result of the mix is a nice, and also very tough, gloss or semi-gloss finish (depending on how much future you mix in). Mixing the Future in also prevents pooling and gives a nice even finish (on another angle, its great for yellows etc lending to them a nice consistent finish).

For what its worth, whilst Americals would be my first choice in Lozenge decals, I also use Pegasus Lozenge. I prefer its colouration to other brands sometimes promoted here.

Cheers

Neil_E