Gloss Camoflage Paints

TMar · 2 July 2011, 04:39 AM

Maybe this is a dumb newbie question but why don't paint manufacturers supply gloss versions of camoflage paints or do they? From what I've gathered, the standard process uses matt paints which are gloss coated for proper decal application then matt coated to dull the finish back down to the original paint. It seems the whole finishing process would faster and cheaper by using gloss paint. in the first place.

I can appreciate the use of matt paints in the past, say thirty to forty years ago, when there were a lot of casual modellers who wanted a one step finish and didn't own an airbrush. However, it seems that to-day the casual modeller has all but disappeared, due the proliferation of new hobbies and die cast models. Current modellers appear very comittted and matt paints only make sense for those entering the hobby, of which there seem to be disappointingly few.

So, am I missing something or are gloss camoflage paints a potential market waiting to be tapped?

CB · 2 July 2011, 06:01 AM

I think that was the intention behind the Compucolour and Xtracolour gloss camouflage enamels. I don't think they ever really caught on due to the extended drying times required by those paints in particular and gloss enamels in general. I personally find gloss paints in general to be more difficult to work with than flat paints. I have also become accustomed to the flat paint/gloss overcoat/ flat overcoat process and I am reluctant to change (old dog too lazy to learn new tricks).

Old Man · 2 July 2011, 06:28 AM

Back in the early days of the hobby, Sir, the Testors and Pactra enamels we used were gloss, whatever the color. Modelers began to complain camouflage colors should be matte, and eventually the manufacturers brought out flat paints....

'14-'18aviationcollector · 2 July 2011, 06:42 AM

Hi guys,

I have always used Humbrol paints, since I grew up in England in the 1970's, and they were available then and are still readily available now. Some of the colours seem to have gloss and matt versions, but the availability of the matt and / or gloss versions of a given colour seem to be quite random. Not every matt colour seems to have a gloss version, and vice versa, uness I am mistaken.

I used to think that WW1 colours were all matt but recent evidence, including some samples I have indicate that when new these paints and dopes had quite a degree of gloss, which admittedly seemed to wear off quite quickly, but almost certainly not completely.

Regards,

David.

terri werner · 2 July 2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CB

I think that was the intention behind the Compactor and Xtracolour gloss camouflage enamels. I don't think they ever really caught on due to the extended drying times required by those paints in particular and gloss enamels in general. I personally find gloss paints in general to be more difficult to work with than flat paints. I have also become accustomed to the flat paint/gloss overcoat/ flat overcoat process and I am reluctant to change (old dog too lazy to learn new tricks).

I agree , this method works the best for me as well . Always had trouble with gloss .

GAJouette · 2 July 2011, 08:00 AM

"I think that was the intention behind the Compactor and Xtracolour gloss camouflage enamels. I don't think they ever really caught on due to the extended drying times required by those paints in particular and gloss enamels in general"

CB,
I think you're spot on the intention behind these two paint brands. The very long drying time is certainly a pain to deal with. I've used Xtracolour paints for years and I've found that if I thin with a lacquer thinner the drying is very much shorter. When I could still get it I used Floquil's Dio-Sol. Never had any problems doing this as long as I didn't thin it while still in the tub.

Regards,
Grgory Jouette

albatros1234 · 2 July 2011, 08:28 AM

mrkit via mike taylor has a line of ww1 camo color in semigloss,but its pretty glossy.i have some.

My Homepage

Trackpad · 2 July 2011, 10:33 AM

I've got enough Xtracolor gloss paint to float the proverbial battleship, and I swear by it. It is by far my "go to" paint. Thinned with lacquer thinner (2 parts thinner to one part paint) at a minimum, and sprayed at about 16-18 psi, the paint covers beautifully and will dry in about one day.

Not a WW1 subject, but here is a 1/24th scale Airfix Spitfire that is totally Xtracolor, including camouflage, national markings, squadron codes and serial number. Some areas were painted using as thin as a 6:1 thinner/paint ratio: subtle shading, highlighting and so on:

I also use Misterkit, Tamiya, Xtracrylix, and ModelMaster paints, but usually when they are "special to subject" colours as well as to keep my options open. Hope this helps!

Kaiser Bill · 2 July 2011, 01:00 PM

I've just recently learned that you can thin enamel paint with lacquer thinner without any adverse effect...(who'd a thunk it??) So gloss or matt "machts nichts aus" (makes no difference) it all dries much faster. If there is no gloss camo color available for my project...it doesn't matter because it all gets gloss coated before the 'cals go on anyway..so.....

JMO!!

TMar · 2 July 2011, 03:55 PM

It's great to hear there are gloss camoflage paints. Thxs for the tips from the proponents, especially to Trackpad for the specific thinning and application instructions. Trackpad, I see that you're a fellow Canuck. Where do you source your Xtracolor? From what I can find on-line, this appears to be a UK product (or at least the sources I've found are UK based) and their law apparently restricts exporting of paint products.

One other question. Does the application require priming prior to the colour coat, to prevent crazing of the plastic, or does the lacquer thinner burn off sufficiently during the airbrushing process?