Hello all,

trying to finish a brodak trainer for my son and i before spring time. We have put on three coats of clear sanded down between each coat.  I'm now putting on the final orange coat (40% thinned). THe 3rd coat still doesnt cover the whole plane nicely

In fact, it seems like the n'th coat will still not cover nicely. I must be missing out on a trick here

Am I thinning the paint too much, or not enough

This is brushed on  Brodak paint.

THANKS

-Danny

Thanks Chris, I'll try that.

Even knowing all that about transparent colours mistakes still occur.....................

For many color schemes, where thorough coverage is required, the first coat of colored dope should be pure white.  I use Brodak insignia white.  Any subsequent colors are applied over the white and come out bright and true in one good coat.  If you're not using spray equipment, this can be quite difficult to do well due to the brush's tendency to co-mingle the last coat with the previous one.  Best results I've had with a brush were obtained with highly opaque colors, such as white, black, gray, and sky blue, that don't require the white undercoat.  Prior to brushing on a color, it's a good idea to apply some to a test subject to see how well it covers.  In some cases, it is deemed desirable to let the natural wood grain show through the color as in the case of old time finishes when most models had brushed on finishes.  Colored silk applied to the entire model produces a similar appearance to semi-transparent dope over wood.  However, unless this is what you're trying to do, make sure your color is going to cover well before applying it without the white undercoat.  Of course, silver is also a great and common undercoat for any color and adds great UV blockage.  I just don't happen to use it.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

Here is a picture of the finished plane, with my son 

-Danny