What paint?

Seeker · Post by **Seeker** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:26 pm

Hello all,

I can see there's a lively thread on which dope one should or shouldn't use, but does any one have any good tips for paint?

At the moment I'm using good old Humbrol enamels on dope, mainly because that's what I've still got kicking around the cupboard; but I'll be starting a 403 series Spit next week, and I want to make a proper job of it.

So what's a good light weight paint?

Phugoid · Post by **Phugoid** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:14 pm

I use good old Humbrol Enamels thinned with cellulose thinners, and put on with a £10 airbrush...It is light plus you know cross referencing the Humbrol colours with an Airfix kit, that you have the right colour for the job.

Seeker · Post by **Seeker** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:16 pm

Good point about the cross referencing, I hadn't thought of that!

I way well invest in an airbrush. I saw one at my LHS for about £13 complete with an air can.

I realise that in the long run one would be best served with a compressor, but it's tempting.

Once you do have an airbrush, would you airbrush the dope on too, or should that still be brushed on?

ADW 123 · Post by **ADW 123** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:10 pm

Some people do. However, I don't because it is easy to clog my airbrush with it

Phugoid · Post by **Phugoid** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:20 pm

I brush dope too, for the same reason as ADW and I'm normally too lazy to set up to dope when it lokks pretty good brushed anyhow.

Seeker · Post by **Seeker** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:25 pm

Had a bit of a disaster.

I tried thinning the Humbrol paint with Humbrol thinners, but I masively overdid the thinning.

Consequently I ended up with an extrememly thin paint which is no where near as opaque as I'd like and it ran just every where!

I haven't dared lift the masking yet (it seems to take forever to dry) but I'm sure it's got under it.

Oh well, lesson learnt!

ADW 123 · Post by **ADW 123** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:07 pm

ESP when u r using water based paints. U must spray light coats ESP if u r flying rubber and used less dope to seal. too much paint results in local shrinkage often and doesn't look goodto me, as I tend to look at every little detail of my covering. Now what I really wantto know is what kind of paint scigs uses, as I am getting better at this whole rubber powered flight thing. Also would like to know if he uses a winder...

supercruiser · Post by **supercruiser** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:57 pm

If anybody asks me, I say that if you want to fly these---get a winder.

Talk about fun.....4 strands of 3/32" rubber, stretch-wound 900 turns in a Javelin.
Need a 10 acre field for that.

ADW 123 · Post by **ADW 123** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:03 pm

I've had huge troubles with winding the rubber alot. It usually breaks for me at about 500 winds. That's unbraided two loops of 3/32 rubber lubed with castor oil 1.5 times hook to peg length. Gotta get some pro tips on this stuff. Also for my arrow what is the best way for trimming??

supercruiser · Post by **supercruiser** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:14 pm

How about I start a new thread to answer this?

ADW 123 · Post by **ADW 123** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:37 pm

Sounds great