colour of wings of Wingnut Wings LVG C.VI

[GORDON BOWN]

Hello!
I am having a great time constructing the 1/32 German two seater LVG from this company. Getting close to working on the wings, and here is my question; I want to apply those delightful wing covering lozenge pattern decals that come with the kit, but what preparation of the wings should I do first? Give the bare plastic a clear gloss spray, then apply the decals, or paint the wings first, before applying the clear gloss spray/ ( btw, I am planning to use Testors spray lacquer gloss cote...is this O.K.? ) If a coat of paint is recommended first, would something like a flat grey be suitable? ( I imagine that none of the paint on the wings will show in the final result, because the decals will cover it all up, so really I suppose it would be like an undercoat? )
While I'm at it, a question regarding the final painting of the rest of the aircraft, including the wings once the decals have been applied; I will gloss coat the fuselage ( it has already been painted ) in order for the insignia decals to adhere that much better. Once this is complete, and if I want a finish to take off just a bit of the gloss, would a light overspray of Testors Spray enamel Dullcote fit the bill? Also, will the clear spray lacquer gloss and the spray enamel dullcote be compatible and not react with each other? ( of course I will allow plenty of drying time between coats )
Thanks in advance for you patience and helpfulness in answering these queries!
Merry Christmas to all my fellow modellers, and may the holidays give you plenty of time to work on your kits!
Gordon

[Hans]

Gordon,
usually I am using a medium to dark grey as a base for any lozenge decals. I prefer a satin finish, a glossy surface is not necessary as with lozenge decals there is no problem with silvering.

H

[CaptainA]

When I did mine, I just used Krylon gloss white from a rattle can as a base coat. The decals are great. I had no problems with them at all. One hint. Break up the decal sessions to a few times a day over many days. There is a lot to do on the wings and if you try to do it all at once, your back will complain.

[TeamStewart]

Hi,

This gives you a good opportunity to achieve a shading effect, if you like.

I'd probably paint the ribs white, and shade in a dark grey in between. Then I'd apply a coat of Future over the lot and apply the lozenge.

Depending on how thick the lozenge decals are, that may give you a subtle shading effect, much like the real thing.

I would also accentuate that by applying a coat of Future on top of the lozenge, mixed with a touch of black paint in the areas between the ribs. I generally brush paint this with strokes from front to back. This also adds a little "grime streaking".

[CaptainA]

I dont think the pre-shading will be seen through the decals. They really have enough opacity that they cover everything beneath them. I think pre-shading will be lost.

One thing you might want to try are the texture decals from microsculpt. They are 48th scale, but I think the smaller scale is actually more realistic once the lozenge is covered. They really make a big difference in the look of the finished lozenge. You cant really see them very well on the darker colors, but the lighter colors look like real linen. Then you can do your streaking technique over them. I use them on every lozenge covered surface, regardless of scale.

[albatros1234]

i general i try to use a paint color that matches one of the lozenge colors as closely as possible, that way if there is a small imperfection it would be hard to notice. i also prefer using a gloss cote other than future as decal setting solution melts future and has caused me minor problems in the past. what i want is someone to make lozenge specifically for a certain kit with the rib tapes already on. i hate doing rib tapes.