admiralcag Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 I have a question on the finish of a hi viz F-14. The upper surface IIRC is flat gull grey and the bottom is gloss white. On the aft area of the engine, just above the ventral strakes, the "NAVY" decal is placed. How should I handle the flat coat on the flat gull grey section? This may be a noob question, but it has bothered me for years. I am contemplating a VF-1 build from when the squadron was on Enterprise. I also have a Monogram 1/48 scale F-14 that I want to finish. Thanks! Vern Quote Link to post Share on other sites
picknpluck Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 It's not flat full grey--it's gloss. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote74 Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 As @picknpluck noted, the Tomcat's gray over white used gloss versions of both schemes. The USN finish standards changed from matte to gloss light gull gray in 1971, so no F-14 wore the "mixed" scheme. To answer your original question, since it's best to apply decals to a gloss surface (which by definition is smoother), if your final scheme calls for a matte finish it's best to apply matte clear over the decals (depending how thick the decals are and how complicated you want to make things, a thin gloss clear coat *after* applying decals can help "blend in" the decals before the final matte clear coat). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
admiralcag Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 22 hours ago, Quixote74 said: As @picknpluck noted, the Tomcat's gray over white used gloss versions of both schemes. The USN finish standards changed from matte to gloss light gull gray in 1971, so no F-14 wore the "mixed" scheme. To answer your original question, since it's best to apply decals to a gloss surface (which by definition is smoother), if your final scheme calls for a matte finish it's best to apply matte clear over the decals (depending how thick the decals are and how complicated you want to make things, a thin gloss clear coat *after* applying decals can help "blend in" the decals before the final matte clear coat). I did not know about the multiple schemes. I'm glad I asked. I do put an additional gloss coat on to protect the decals from weathering. Thanks so much, guys! Vern Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cajun21 Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 A lot of the full color 14's I have seen were "semi-gloss" or "satin" finish, 50% gloss + 50% flat mix. Also 100% high gloss on a model, even 1/32nd, looks out of scale (just my opinion). Cheers, Itch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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