Global Scale Modeller

Hello everyone!

I am pretty new to this hobby but I am really willing to try things and hopefully..at some point...get to know how to do them properly.


Here are a few questions I have:


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So I have a question about the salt chipping technique.

I am currently working on a F/A-18E. When I get to the point of doing this...I want to try the salt chipping technique. But I am a little bit confused when it comes to the best way of doing it. Since the chipped paint isn't rust or anything like this I was thinking about a few ways of doing it but I am not sure which one is the best one and which one will give me the best result and the best look.

So here they are:

1) I've been thinking about doing the top coat which in my case it is going to be Dark Ghost Grey (MRP-097 = FS36320) then do the salt chipping technique, let the salt dry and then use some Smoke clear (MRP-271). The idea behind this would be that the Smoke would darken the dark ghost gray a little bit more. Then remove the salt.

2) I've also been thinking about painting the top coat the same as the coat that is on the underside of the jet which is Light Ghost Gray (MRP-038 = FS36375) then do the salt chipping technique then apply a coat of Dark Ghost Gray (MRP-097 = FS36320), let it dry and then remove the paint.


Which is the better option? In case you have any other suggestions please let me know.

This is the effect I am after:




Also...should I use different types of salt? Or is fine table salt good enough?

This is the reference photo I have with the salt applied on the model:



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While working on the canopy for the previous model I encountered a few problems:

1) Should I polish with Tamiya polishing compound ( I have all three) or dip it in Humbrol clear gloss? Or both? Which one do you think it's the best method? Also...do I need polishing cloths for tamiya compound (tamiya sells some)? Or is a microfiber cloth enough?

2) After peeling off the masking tape I had some glue remaining from it. I have no idea how to remove it. It also ruined the whole polishing process. How do I remove it? What's your technique? ( I bought some WD-40 today...I've heard that might help)


3) Should I use some liquid mask on the canopy and on the fuselage as well? I am thinking about buying some tomorrow.

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What colors do you use for your exhausts? I am looking for results such as those:

for the current project:





Which one of those looks better to you? And what colors do you think those are? (I assumed I would need Chrome, Jet Exhaust, Plate Burnt Metal and Smoke..so I bought those today)

for a future F-15E project:



I think the above one is a chrome finish with some brown weathering to represent burn marks? Am I wrong?

or maybe this for the F-15:



I think this is burn metal.

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I really hope everything I've asked makes sense to you guys and you've understood what I meant. In case you didn't...please let me know and I will try to explain better.



Best regards,
Mihai Ilie

I'd go with option one as you described for the Rhino salt chipping.

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I don't know.

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I used this as a basis for most of my exhaust painting now.



I adapt as need and do lots of test on plastic spoons (prime them, gloss coat black, then try different metal colors on them. I'll then label and save the spoons in a bag to reference later.)

2) After peeling off the masking tape I had some glue remaining from it. I have no idea how to remove it. It also ruined the whole polishing process. How do I remove it? What's your technique? ( I bought some WD-40 today...I've heard that might help)

The only tried & tested way, I have found, to remove adhesive is to use (petroleum) lighter fluid.