Hi All,
Thank you for looking in and for all the kind words.
I must point out that the idea of using paper punch discs has been used on other builds – its not my own idea.
Just a short update today. I painted more of the clip-ons. I started with an etch primer followed by a basecoat of Tamiya Matt Black.
I followed the same recipe on the Caryatids that I used to paint the two statues flanking the door on the main deck; GW Balthasar Gold, GW Typhus Corrosion into the recesses, dry brushed GW Balthasar Gold, followed by a light dusting of Tamiya Neutral Grey XF53.
Again, to break up the black, I gave the belaying pins a light brown dry-brushing followed by a VERY light dusting with GW Eshin Grey.
Kind regards,
Garth

Thanks Mark. The end is in sight, for the hull that is.
Kind regards,
Garth

Avast! me 'earty, this 'ere be a fine lookin' ship. :)

Beautiful work Garth, that dry brushing really does pit out all the detail.

Mark

Looks amazing Garth, wonderful work being done....

Regards

Alan

Hi All,
Assembled the main staircase this weekend. The parts provided are to make a straight stair, whereas the Pearls banister is curved inwards. I didn’t feel like remaking the entire stair so following some other build diaries, I modified the existing.
My basic process was to cut the upper stair to 15mm as indicated in the instructions and the lower one to 20mm. I bent the inner channels slightly and then cut every step to match the gap.
The forecastle stairs are as per the instructions.

I soldered the banister together and then made some perpendicular cuts with a Zona saw to facilitate the bends. Once bent I filled the gaps with GW Liquid Green Stuff.

It’s a pity the kit has not included any loose belaying pins. Fortunately, our suppliers here in South Africa still have some back issues of the HMS Victory in stock, so I bought two extra Issue 55’s, 90 and 94. (90 and 94 are for the rigging to still come).

Once assembled I followed my basic paint schedule, Matt Black followed by a Grey and then white dry brushing.
To maintain consistency on the belaying pins I dry brushed them with the same brown to match the others.

Apologies again for the bad pics. I find myself building all over the yard as I follow my daughter around. She’s getting a bit too old to keep her cooped up in the garage with me.

Kind regards,
Garth

Hi All,
I need some help please.
I have had some trouble with paint adhering to the etched brass parts. As most of my Pearl is black, this has been tricky trying not to scratch the bits as I work with them.
I have jumped through hoops trying to get it to work. I wash the parts, sand them, I’ve used different primers from general purpose aerosol to automotive etch primer, but nothing seems to adhere without scratching. Oddly, Tamiya XF1 Matt Black painted or airbrushed straight onto the brass has worked the best so far.

I have had a look on the net and found that brass can be chemically blackened. Unfortunately, not all these chemicals are readily available, and the success rate seems fairly ambiguous.

So, my question is twofold.
Does anybody have a pet formula, A. that is made up of chemicals that can be bought in smaller quantities, perhaps from a pharmacy, and B. will it turn the brass black, not slightly patinaed, but black, black?

Kind regards,
Garth

Hi Malc.
Thank you for you help. I have checked it out & will give it a try.
Kind regards,
Garth