I want to purchase some ALCLAD from Sprue Brothers but I was curious if there is a "shelf life" on this paint ???
Also I plan on using TAMIYA gloss black decanted for a base for the ALCLAD. Any input?
I plan on building a MIG 21 in NMF. I want to use ALCLAD Aluminum and ALCLAD Dull Aluminum for a NMF pattern look and slight weathering.
Thanks Bill L2
I've got several bottles that are at least a couple of years old. I haven't had any problems, other than it takes longer to get all of the pigment off of the bottom of the bottle when it's sat for a while.
I've used Tamiya's white and grey primers, gloss black lacquer, Alclad grey primer, and Mr Surfacer 1000 with good results. The last model I primed with the grey Tamiya, it ended up with a rough surface. Today, Mike Starling showed Bill Leary and I a P-47 that he had primed with Alclad's grey & polished with a coffee filter. It turned out great! The main thing is that you use a lacquer-based paint as a primer. Acrylic or enamel will have problems, because the Alclad's carrier is so hot.
Ben
Thanks Ben for the reply. I will make sure I get the Tamiya laquer for the base.
I sprayed some Alclad today that was five years old, at least. No problems at all. The biggest issue with Alclad is the quality control problem that let a significant number of bottles get out that didn't have enough Japan dryer in them. When sprayed, it never dries and ruins any project you happen to be working on. The best thing to do is to spray it on a test model just to make sure as there is no way to positively tell which batch is good and which isn't.
Lee K
Thanks Lee