While cleaning off a little overspray on a Stuka, I tried OOO-grade steel wool. Using a light buffing motion, I achieved the finish that I wanted for the whole model; the surfaces looked like metal with flat paint on them. (I’m sure if I apply silver as a base coat, the rivets and raised panel lines will shine through a bit on my next project.) The decals went down as if they were on a coat of Pledge Future floor polish. It took about 10 minutes and allowed me to skip one cycle of airbrush cleanup and drying time. Note: Do this before you apply decals or you will destroy them! A refrigerator magnet instantly removes residual steel-wool threads and fuzz.
Tip submitted by:
Sgt. Jonathan A. WimsattKaiserslautern, Germany