PC12 – AIR

PC12 - an acrylic paint from AK interactive

A water-thinnable acrylic paint in a bottle, intended for aircraft models. The abbreviation PC refers to the British protective finishes with which the fabric covering of airframes was treated in the First World War; the manufacturer keeps the neighboring shade PC10 for late machines in the same sub-range, so the pair can be used together for different periods. It is an acrylic, not a lacquer: it is thinned with water or an acrylic thinner and is not mixed with lacquer ranges.

Use

• The fabric surfaces of biplanes take only thin coats. Lay on several weak ones rather than a heavy one, so that the fine engraving of ribs, hems and stitching is not flooded.
• Thinning is the main variable with this paint: for an airbrush go to roughly the consistency of milk, for a brush thin considerably less and work with quick strokes in one direction.
• Period finishes differed from tin to tin. Lightening the second coat slightly with a drop of a light shade gives a large wing a natural unevenness instead of a flat, uniform finish.
• Lay a separate gloss varnish under the decals. On a flatter surface a decal silvers even when the base is perfectly smooth.
• A dried coat is easily dissolved by alcohol-based cleaners, so leave weathering thinned with alcohol until the surface has been sealed with varnish.

Who the paint is for

For builders of First World War aircraft and for anyone building machines with fabric covering who wants a period-faithful tone instead of a general brown. The paint also works as a base layer under the thin oil filters with which fabric is fine-tuned. The manufacturer also keeps a shade of the same name in the Real Colors lacquer range, but that one has a different chemistry and a different thinner, so the two bottles are not interchangeable.

Shake the bottle thoroughly before use. When spraying with an airbrush, work in a ventilated space and with breathing protection; keep the bottle well closed and protect it from frost. Not a toy.