After visiting colleges the past few weekends , I finally got around to working on my Little Joe II.

Question: what method have you found to be best in getting a realistic aluminum finish ? I have never had good luck with Krylon Chrome and I've been told that Testors Silver is a good way to go. Suggestions ?

Also, I'll be using Accur8Man 's body wrap for the CM / SM & LES. Has anyone used this wrap yet ? Any pointers ?

Thanks !

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"If you don't try it this year, you'll just be another year older when you do."

I recall that Testor's made an aluminum paint. Was I just imagining that?

IF you have a you have an airbrush, you could mix silver with a tiny bit of flat white paint.

Worse comes to worse, spray on silver, and hit it with matte finish.

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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM

Although I have not used it before, many modelers use Alclad to get realistic metal finishes on their kits, especially NMF finishes on aircraft. Check out this:

http://www.swannysmodels.com/Alclad.html

Over on TRF is a great LJII build thread. James Duffy started the thread, but there also are build tips from George Gassaway. You'll want to read James' explanation on using Tamiya sprays. They are lacquer, so any plastic parts need primer. He uses Tamiya Surface Primer, which readies plastic surfaces for the lacquer topcoat. It has no fillers so it does not ruin surface details. His choice for the metal color is Tamiya Gloss Aluminum. (Tamiya Gloss White and Gloss Black are also used.)

I've bought all these paints but have yet to start my build. The Tamiya primer is expensive, but I bought mine at Hobby Lobby at 40% off. I had to get the colors at my local hobby store, although Hobbylinc has the sprays slightly discounted.

Here is the link:

http://www.rocketryforum.com/showth...d-Modifications

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

For the corregations, I highly recommend new DupliColor Chrome over any flat black primer.

Three light coats of the Chrome and it'll look like a mylar wrap. But its got to be light coats; heavy coats don't give the glossy shine.

And then touch it as little as possible. Clear coats dull the shine.

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NAR 79743
NARTrek Silver
I miss being SAM 062

Awaiting First Launch: Too numerous to count
Finishing: Zooch Saturn V; Alway/Nau BioArcas; Estes Expedition; TLP Standard
Repair/Rescue: Cherokee-D (2); Centuri Nike-Smoke; MX-774
On the Bench: 2650;
Dream Stage: 1/39.37 R-7

Serious question: Do you really WANT the painted-to-be aluminum surfaces to be shiny? Aluminum tarnishes to a hazy silver pretty quickly.

I don't know if I've seen a color picture of an LJII, but my impression is that the wraps are silvery, not chrome-y. Not like an Atlas in other words.

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NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM

There are some good color pictures of the real Little Joe IIs on the build thread. On the 3rd page is a picture of James Duffy's painted model. That sold me on his choice of paints.

I love Tamiya masking tape, I'm curious to see if I love their spray paints.

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

You will like their spray paint.

Expensive but worth it.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

For paint on the LJ II I used Tamiya Lacquer ( Silver TS-17 ) two light coats.

The wraps in question are high quality follow the instruction for a light coating of gloss clear, worked great for me.

This LJ II will be donated to the Museum of Flight in Seattle ,Washington

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John

NAR #91135 L1
SAM #0037

Thanks for the tips ! I just ordered the Tamiya spray paints and look forward to using them.

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"If you don't try it this year, you'll just be another year older when you do."