Space and Science Fiction Painting & Finishing Techniques

1. The model's surface, once painted, should show no signs of the construction process (glue, file, or sanding marks; fingerprints; obvious discontinuities between kit plastic and filler materials; etc.).
2. Finish should be even and smooth. If irregularities in the actual vehicle's finish are being duplicated, documentation of such irregularities is required.
1. No brush marks, lint, brush hairs, etc.
2. No "orange-peel" or "eggshell" effect; no "powdering" in areas such as cavaties or inside corners.
3. No random differences in sheen of finish caused by misapplication of final clear coats.
3. Paint edges that are supposed to be sharp should be sharp (no ragged edges caused by poor masking).
4. Framing on clear parts should have crips, uniform edges.
5. Weathering, if present, should be consistent throughout the model, not overdone, and appropriate for the vehicle and the conditions in which it was (or would be) operating. Reentry vehicles (Space Shuttle, Apollo, etc.) should show some aerodynamic weathering if depicted in a post-reentry or landing mode. Rocket engine nozzles generally should show some sort of weathering, particularly on the inside; but check references, as such weathering can vary greatly from one type of nozzle to another.
6. Decals:
1. Aligned properly. (If the actual prototype had a markings anomaly, e.g., an inverted insignia, the model builder should provide documentation to show that he is deliberately duplicating someone else's error, not inadvertently making one of his own.)
2. No silvering or bubbling of decal film. Decal film should be eliminated or hidden to make the markings appear painted on.
3. Uniform finish (a consideration if using decal bits from a variety of sources).
7. Colors. Paint colors, even from the same manufacturer and mixed to the same specs, can vary from batch to batch. Different operating environments can change colors in different ways. All paints fade from effects of weather, sunlight, supernova explosions, etc., and viewing distance alone can alter the look of virtually any color. Poor initial application and subsequent maintenance compound these problems. Therefore, except for gross inaccuracies such as a black Space Shuttle Columbia, color shades should not be used to determine the accuracy of a model that represents an actual spacecraft or a specific TV or movie science fiction vehicle. Of course, for science fiction models that are solely the product of the builder's imagination, the rule on colors is "anything goes."

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