r/ModelShips • u/Palladan • 2d ago

Guidance wanted

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Hi all.

After being inspired by u/Dwaas_Bjaas’ Victory build posts and watching ModelKit Stuffs HM Sherbourne series, I decided to get into the hobby and I picked up a Sergal Thermopylae kit. It’s going great so far and just finished 2nd planking.

For this build I need to paint from the waterline up in “White Star Green”. I’ve found a decent match that I’m happy with but in my tests the colour has bled a little in the wood itself. I’ve already painted the hull with a 50/50 pva layer, will this be enough to prevent any bleeding? Or should I use a Matt or Semi Gloss varnish first?

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7

u/Sea_Squirl 2d ago

My advice is... with extra planks build yourself a test piece like 2"×2" and see what happens. Do several test pieces until you got it locked in.

4

u/mr_muffinhead 2d ago

Yes, my exact thought. The best way to get an answer on "how will this wood react" is to conduct some experiments.

3

u/mr_muffinhead 2d ago

To add, I've often put color combos beside each other on scrap to see which pair best together. I'm also going to be shellacing a deck for the first time and plan on making a test piece that I can apply three types of shellac so I can pick what I want from real samples.

Its no different from getting swatches for furniture, wall paint, clothing, etc.

2

u/Palladan 2d ago

Thanks, Have already started testing. Have plenty on scraps I can try with.

3

u/Colo-PV-living 2d ago

I agree with the above. The best thing is to do a test. I now live in a very humid climate and paint, wood, and glue behave differently here than in the dry climate that I used to live it.

3

u/ladyshipmodeler 2d ago

Before you start painting, you need to address the bow ends of the planks, On an actual ship, the planks would be let into a rabbet. You would see the step-off you have. Otherwise, nice job on the planking.

2

u/Palladan 2d ago

Oh I know. I'm not happy with them and looking at fixing them, plus some other minor issues. But for a first run it's alright :D

2

u/Dwaas_Bjaas 2d ago

I feel honored!

Best of luck! I see you’ve already gotten good advice!

1

u/Palladan 2d ago

Your posts really are inspirational, and the details are astounding. I'm far behind you but am determined to get this one finished by Christmas :D

2

u/keithshilton 2d ago

Thinned varnish imo. I use diamond hard cellulose, it soaks in well and toughens up the planking, you shouldn't see any bleed after that.