BoroDad Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 I'm building the Academy F-86 and am really enjoying it (1/48 scale). It was all going so well until....I messed up the yellow decal on the bottom (the one that completes the yellow fuselage band). It started with poor alignment of the yellow fuselage band -- the ends did not end at identical points on the fuselage. I was tired and let this sit for a few days. When I went to put the bottom band on, I noticed it would not align properly. The bottom decal ended up being destroyed in my feeble attempts to make it look good. I think my options at this point are: 1. Find someone who is willing to part with their decals 2. Try to paint the bottom portion to complete it. I am leaning towards option number 2, but need to know what color would be a good match. I used airframe aluminum Alclad II, so I think I'll have to put a white primer coat over the area? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. This one is going in the corner until I have a plan... Thanks in advance for helping!! Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thegoodsgt Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 The same thing happened to me when I built my 1/72 F-86. Tried to wrap those darn decals around the fuselage and wound up with a mess. The geometry is just too complex. I went with your option 2, painting the bands on. It's quite easy actually, just take your time to get the width correct and consistent all the way around. IIRC, I painted the yellow first and then masked it off for the black trim. I didn't obsess over the color; I mixed up a suitable yellow by eye, and I think the results are acceptable. (I tried to represent paint chipping on the bands that turned out crappy.) Good luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CrowTRobot Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Paint 'em! It's not that hard, and you'll be much happier with the end result. The yellow bands on my F-86 were painted with Testor's Insignia Yellow Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BoroDad Posted June 29, 2011 Author Share Posted June 29, 2011 After seeing that picture, I feel like tossing my...beautiful job!!!! I will try to paint the missing yellow band. Do I need to primer it with white or gray before hitting it with the yellow? It'll be over aircraft aluminum alclad II... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 (edited) Why did that post twice?? Edited June 29, 2011 by Jennings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 You *always* need to prime with white when painting a light color like yellow or red. I can't think of an exception to that rule :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CrowTRobot Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Do I need to primer it with white or gray before hitting it with the yellow? It'll be over aircraft aluminum alclad II... Yep. A white base will make the yellow coat much easier to apply, and you'll need fewer coats. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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