You can save time and effort by not using gloss black paint to prepare surfaces for bare-metal finishes. Gloss paint must be allowed to dry completely, and fingerprints find their way onto shiny surfaces, requiring sanding and another coat of gloss!

Here’s a better way: Paint your aircraft with flat black. When it’s dry, sand off the overspray to create a smooth surface. Wipe the entire model with a tack rag and then apply light coats of Pledge FloorCare Multi-Surface Finish (PFM). The key to application is to do sections, not the whole model at once. Begin with the top side of one wing and let it dry. Then proceed to other areas.

Constantly check for lint and fuzz. Remove imperfections with a fine sanding pad and reapply PFM to the sanded areas. It will get to a point where you can apply heavier coats of PFM without having any flaws in your finish.

Set the model aside to cure for a day or so (not weeks like when you paint with gloss). After that, you are ready to apply your metal finish to a smooth, clean, and shiny surface.

Tip submitted by:
John Adelmann
Peosta, Iowa