Paint+Decals=Too Dark. Best way to lighten?

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STR
Posts: 243
Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:36 pm
Location: Chicago, IL

Paint+Decals=Too Dark. Best way to lighten?

Post by STR »

Title says it all. Doing the ERTL 1/1400 E-D, with decals from PNT and Accreation. When I painted, the color seemed pretty good. It gives the right level of contrast to the aztec decals, it's just that the whole thing is too dark. Granted, it's still gloss coated, but I'm not sure the flat coat will do enough to lighten the color. Do I just live with it and flat coat it? Is there some technique I'm unaware of?

A couple of photos. The saucer is gloss and decal coated. The battle/engineering hull is flat TMM light gray, so far uncoated. The area just ahead of the saucer impulse engines is gloss coated, but has not decals.

http://img30.imageshack.us/i/imag0024h.jpg/
http://img8.imageshack.us/i/imag0014y.jpg/
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photoguy
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Post by photoguy »

Honestly, the photos don't look too bad. I'd probably let it go as is. HOWEVER, if you want to mess around with it, you could try some very thin transparent white and mist it on with your airbrush from about a foot away.

OOOoooh, you could spray it through a piece of window screen, and give a second layer of detail to the aztec paneling, then hit the whole thing with your semi-gloss or dull coat. That might actually look really good. :D
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STR
Posts: 243
Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:36 pm
Location: Chicago, IL

Post by STR »

Thank you very much sir. After looking long and hard at it (coincidentally putting on yet more decals) I've come to agree. I looks okay. I'll dull coat it and be done with it. I can always get another kit and try again next year.
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