Good evening,
I want to apply a AK filter to a model that I’m working on and the question that I have is do I gloss cote before or after I use the filter. I think most weathering goes on the gloss cote. But I feel like the filter should go first then the gloss any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Brantwoodboy
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I gloss coat before applying washes/filters.
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It’s my understanding, the majority of folks gloss coat before proceeding. The gloss helps the wash disperse more evenly and flow. It also helps protect the paint from the weathering process etc.
With all of that said, I’ve always washed, weathered, glazed etc directly on the paint. The old enamel/laquer paints I like (Humbrol/Floquil etc) bite the plastic and don’t lift etc. I like the effect of going directly on the paint. The washes don’t flow as well and require more active work etc. Just my personal preference.
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I filter right on the flat paint,my understanding was that the filter is supposed to subtly change the tone of the entire paint surface,not to accumuate it in panel lines or corners like a gloss surface would do to a wash,once I filter,then I gloss coat it to protect it and to ready for the pin wash.
That has been my understanding from what I read,but I stand corrected if not accurate.
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I agree with Anthony above, a filter over a gloss coat would be uneven and patchy, however it is needed later for the wash (which can be removed easier, also)
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I always go paint/gloss/decals/gloss/filters so that the filter subtly changes the tone of the paint but doesn’t stain or darken it.
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I do my filters the same way Anthony describes.
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Matt,I need to test your filters over gloss method to see how it acts
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If you are doing filter w oils you’ll be spreading the oil paint ‘dots’ w mineral spirits or something similar. If your base paints are acrylics like i use and you don’t put down a clear lacquer or something similar you will have a mess on your hands. I personal do a light but even gloss coat, decals if any, I gloss them lightly, then do my oil dots and pin washes. Final flat lacquer coat and pigments etc. Obviously any dry brushing and detail painting prior to the 1 st gloss coat. I also advise using a color wheel and be selective on the oils you use, cause blue and yellow dots will result in a green tint to everything. Watch your other combos so you don’t end up with an unintended subtle hue.
PS, I allow what many might consider excessive drying time between these. I mean like days between the gloss and my filters, likewise after the filters and between my flat clear coat. I never rush thru this process just to be safe.
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As I understand (from Adam’s Armour) which is a very helpfull book, a filter goes straight over the basecoat. (Also a gloss or matt coat is a filter. BUT… if you airbrush an enamel filter over acrylics it will be disaster. So my answer is straight over the base paint if it is the same kind of paint.
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