Humbrol Metalcote

[Hobbes]

I've got a Hawker P.1127 that's supposed to be in NMF. I've got some Humbrol Metalcote, but I've never applied it with an airbrush before.

- Can it be thinned?
- the Metalcote is supposed to go on in a single layer. Is this doable when I'm airbrushing it?
- I recently tried to apply Metalcote over a Humbrol enamel. One Metalcote color wouldn't stick: the paint didn't transfer from the brush to the plastic.
I tried another Metalcote color, and that one went on as it should. I've heard that some colors become unusable when left in the tinlet too long. Is this what happened in my case? The paint wasn't too thick or anything, the tinlet was unused (but I've had it for about a year now).  

[lancer]

I've got a Hawker P.1127 that's supposed to be in NMF. I've got some Humbrol Metalcote, but I've never applied it with an airbrush before.

- Can it be thinned?
- the Metalcote is supposed to go on in a single layer. Is this doable when I'm airbrushing it?
- I recently tried to apply Metalcote over a Humbrol enamel. One Metalcote color wouldn't stick: the paint didn't transfer from the brush to the plastic.
I tried another Metalcote color, and that one went on as it should. I've heard that some colors become unusable when left in the tinlet too long. Is this what happened in my case? The paint wasn't too thick or anything, the tinlet was unused (but I've had it for about a year now).

Harro,

Metalcote is good stuff.

It CAN be thinned. I normally use a 2:1 paint to thinner ratio

It will go down in one coat, but I normally run a second coat over the first for a better finish.

I've tried brush painting with it but like you I found it didn't go on. I think it's formulated for airbrushing.

Hope this helps.

[Hobbes]

What sort of thinner do you use? Metalcote smells a bit like cellulose thinner, or do I use normal lacquer thinner?  

[lancer]

Either Humbrols own thinner or good old white spirit.  

[Hobbes]

Good, I'll try that next time.  

[ysi_maniac]

Good, I'll try that next time.

Me too.