Painting fuselage I got a lot of experience from my first scale build. Among...
Painting fuselage
I got a lot of experience from my first scale build. Among others challenges with painting. In what order to paint inside /outside / detailing etc. But biggest problem was to choose type of lack. I started with an alkyd paint but was not happy. A tiny fragment of dust left an “island” of non paint area and a lot of frustration. If you was heavy on the spray can the lack will move downward, and you are back to start.
Then I tried nitro cellulose lack that works better. Just that you can not mix this lack and alkyd lack because NC lack dissolves the underlying lack. It is hard to touch up NC lack with a brush, because the fresh lack will dissolve the old lack and just make mess.
So people out there, what are you using that is giving less headache?
7 Answers
What is the budget and heli type?
For me, automotive paint for gas/kero engine, or eventually 2K spray prepared by automotive shop, providing the RAL number. Spray isn't very precise hovewer (pressure, valve, linearity).
Good prep of fuselage and work by painter for best application thanks to savoir faire, ad hoc equipment and appropriate environment .
Thanks for respons😀.
This is my first scale build and dont have that deep pockets. It is a Vario Bell 212 1:7. I bought it from a guy that gave up on it. No paint, just cut out for windows.
What is your plan when painting? Where do you start? In what order are you putting things together? I really struggles with windows, so easy to get paint and glue on them.
Agreed - fuselage prep and cleanliness is probably 80% of the job. Make sure all defects in your fuselage ( pin holes etc ) are filled and sanded, then clean the fuselage THOROUGHLY of all dirt dust and sanding residue( don’t even touch it with oily fingers ). Invest in an airbrush and compressor if you intend to build more ( you will ), they are not difficult to master with a bit of practice.
If you are building an electric model try Tamiya acrylic paints, I have had great success with them.
Follow the steps from where you are:
http://www.vario.wiki/docs/bell-212-17-ord-no-2120/
(report done for Vario build contest)
Thanks😀. Very informative👍
As time saver alternative, this B212 Vario fuselage was so perfectly issued from moldings that here I opted for NO PAINT at all 😄 Hats off to Vario. (black is self-adhesive vinyl sheet heated in shape)
Nice collection you have there 😀. My experience with Vario is a little bit down. Manual is short and missing a lot. Fuselage is sure not for use as is and parts fit purely together. And the trex mechanism parts are another story. Cheaper solution but not good and lasting. And Vario don’t care.