Paint Method question

Tolley

New Hunter
I have a question for the experts regarding painting style.

It seems that most people will lay their primary color first that being green then paint the yellows and metal over top to get the weathered look.

Has anyone layed a metal base with clearcoat down first then painted the yellows and greens over top then sanded down to get the effect and if so how has it worked out?
 
I don't think anyone sands down to get the layered effect, only becuase most of us want the scratches exctally the same as the original and with sand paper it wouldn't do that.

But many people (myself included) use the layering meathod. But you just mask off the areas you want to show through with liquid mask or even mustard, paint over it and then scratch it off after the paint drys.
 
i always do layered. even though the movie wasn't done that way, it looks more realistic when people see you up close.

just search for layered painting and you should see a bunch.
 
Layered for me!!...(y)
but after seeing the AWESOME topical work here lately, I think I may try it.....:) ...seems to go alot faster with more control..
 
NO SPIDEY NOOOOOOO!!! And Brian you are only partly correct in that the original movie helmets wern't layered, they were both. They have bits that are layered and bits that are topical.
 
NO SPIDEY NOOOOOOO!!! And Brian you are only partly correct in that the original movie helmets wern't layered, they were both. They have bits that are layered and bits that are topical.

Bingo. Both topical and layered. Best of both worlds.

I'm normally a topical guy but this year started doing layered. I've got to admit though, I prefer the accuracy of detail you have with topical. Layered is still sometimes up in the air as to whether or not your scratches will come out exactly as you wanted them to. I noticed that the masking fluid contracts a bit as it drys.
 
Bingo. Both topical and layered. Best of both worlds.

I'm normally a topical guy but this year started doing layered. I've got to admit though, I prefer the accuracy of detail you have with topical. Layered is still sometimes up in the air as to whether or not your scratches will come out exactly as you wanted them to. I noticed that the masking fluid contracts a bit as it drys.
Also masking for the layered can get a little frustrating... Topical is a much easier route, but I prefer the layerd like TK-7602 just for the realism.
 
NO SPIDEY NOOOOOOO!!! And Brian you are only partly correct in that the original movie helmets wern't layered, they were both. They have bits that are layered and bits that are topical.

to quote Tyler Durden...

The ESB helmet is at least 90% layered and masked with only very small areas that are topically touched up. Joe Johnston said he masked and painted the layers, and the tour pictures of the ESB helmet support that statement.
 
NO SPIDEY NOOOOOOO!!! And Brian you are only partly correct in that the original movie helmets wern't layered, they were both. They have bits that are layered and bits that are topical.
:lol: :lol: ,,again I was just "considering" topical...;)

But as others have said, the real movie Prop was More Layered than Topical...(y)
 
topical!!! I am working on a MS3 that will be 100% topical...my jet pack... all topical...my armor topical.....

Hey Spidey...make up your mind buddy:confused :confused ...my vote topical
 
Bingo. Both topical and layered. Best of both worlds.

I'm normally a topical guy but this year started doing layered. I've got to admit though, I prefer the accuracy of detail you have with topical. Layered is still sometimes up in the air as to whether or not your scratches will come out exactly as you wanted them to. I noticed that the masking fluid contracts a bit as it drys.


That is true about the masking fluid drying, to fix this I put mine on really thick. Like I will start with it thin to make sure it goes exctally where I need it, then before it drys I go back over it with with more. It contracts a lot less when there is lots of it.
 
Ok, here comes th noob question of the day: What are the differences between layered and topical? The sintra armor I've been working on has been painted using layers, however I don't understand how it could be done any other way. Thanks!
 
That is true about the masking fluid drying, to fix this I put mine on really thick. Like I will start with it thin to make sure it goes exctally where I need it, then before it drys I go back over it with with more. It contracts a lot less when there is lots of it.

i've also found that if you put it on thick and then paint over it as soon as a skin forms, it's MUCH easier to pull off.

when i did my backplate, the latex was still liquid inside of the thick areas when i painted over it. by the time i was peeling it off, the stuff still hadn't dried, and made the paint come off REALLY easily.
 
I am a topical guy. I have done some masking, but I always seem to find my self touching up masked areas with topical afterward anyways. Some colors, like silver look excellent topical to the point it really hard to tell. I really like the control you have with topical, and its forgiving if you make mistakes. You just paint over and try again
 
Ok, here comes th noob question of the day: What are the differences between layered and topical? The sintra armor I've been working on has been painted using layers, however I don't understand how it could be done any other way. Thanks!

Layered is where you build up layers of paint, using masking fluid, you can replicate chipping.

First paint the base coat silver, then put some fluid on in different patterns (or match the screen shots).

Then spray on your next layer of paint.(green)

Once dry, peel off the mask and you will see the bottom layer (silver).

Tropical is where you just paint the final color (green) and apply scratches with some silver paint, on top of the green.

I prefer tropical myself, it looks better up close. Plus, as you get wear and tear, the real chipping will show the silver base coat.


I also make sure I primer my object first, then spray about 4-7 coats of silver. Then I follow up with a acrylic coat, just to lock it in.
 
Check the helmet section, the first thread in it sticked at the top has a complete list for the paints for the esb helmet and the rotj armor.
 
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