<-- **** DONE: 1/48 P-38J Lightning - Twin Engined Aircraft of WWII

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One quick question, should I seal the aircraft with a clear coat before and after decal application? Or just after? I also plan on a light wash to age and tone down the bright aluminum color. Expecting to do the wash before the final sealant coat.
 
I gloss, decal and gloss again that way the entire surface including the decals have the same finish when applying the flat coat.
Sometimes the decals will leave a totally different sheen if a uniform coat of gloss is not applied.
 
It's debatable with a silver finish in my opinion. A gloss coat could change the appearance of the finish and if you like it now, there is a small risk that you may like it less after you clear coat it.

When using Alclad paints, I have not gloss coated prior to decal application as the metal finish is smooth enough to apply the decals directly. To reduce the gloss of the decals, I have sprayed a matte coat onto just the decals.

This model was done by applying the decals straight over the Alclad:

 
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Good to know, I think I am going to prep the areas the decals go on with MicroSet, apply the decals, then apply MicroSol over them. After they dry I may clear coat the model depending on how the wash goes. I kind of like the finish I have now as you both mentioned.
 
I don't know what effect a clear coat would have on an acrylic metal finish, but I agree with Andy regarding enamel NMF - the clear coat can alter the appearance, emphasising the 'grain' of the metallic particles in the paint.
I do the same as Andy - apply the decals onto the metal finish, then seal them with the appropriate clear coat (gloss, semi-matt etc), just over the decals only.
 
I got a chance to try my Bondic UV stick for making light lenses! I drilled out the recognition lights using a pin vise and then placed some of the Tamiya Green, Yellow and Red in the bottom of the drilled out areas. Then after letting the paint dry I dropped a small bead of the Bondic glue and hit it with the UV light. I think they came out rather well. The first two pictures show the result.

The last two pictures are the majority of the decals applied. Per the advice received here I just clear coated, lightly, the areas the decals would be applied to. After that dried, I applied MicroSet, then the decal, blotted dry and then applied MicroSol. So far they are laying down nicely!





 
The lights turned out very nice Robert. Can you tell us a bit more about the Bondic UV stick? How does it work and what advantages does it have over other adhesives?
 
It is an adhesive, but in this application I use the adhesive to form a dome that dries ultra clear and rock hard and simulates a light cover. It can be shaped to be flat or rounded or even concave and when you hit it with the UV light it hardens in seconds. I believe all the UV activated adhesives are similar. I saw a YouTube video on it and have wanted to try it.

I used just literally drops of the color because the adhesive acts as a magnifier and makes the color look larger and more intense than it is.
 
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