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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Randy Powell on March 17, 2008, 08:55:02 PM
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Any of you that got the most recent Stunt News may see that I was foolish enough to do an article on finishing. Tom put it in the Design column for unknown reasons, but that's OK. The title is a paraphrase of a book I had when I was a kid and an avid shadetree VW mechanic.
The book was called Keeping your VW alive: a step by step procedure for the complete idiot. The idea here was to try to do something to help those that haven't done a dope finish before. I find that a lot of guys that write finishing articles leave out a lot of stuff that anyone that has done this sort of thing before already knows. So I tried to include all kinds of stuff that is obvious to those that have experience.
This is just the way I do it. Certainly not a definitive treatise. If you have any questions you can post them. If you don't like my method: na#
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Thanks Randy, the old DOC will look forward to it. Never too old to learn new things. DOC Holliday
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Hi Randy,
You did a good job on finishing 101 for the guys out their that have not tried silkspan & dope.
It should help alot of modelers.
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Randy,
your efforts were noted in Pullman,, and appreciated. It is all to easy to try to instruct and because you have done it so long you forget to mention little things that you do as a matter of course. I think you made a very good attemptat conveying some of the finer points,, keep it up !
Now enough of that stuff, get that Shoestring done!
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Mark,
I assume the second part of the article will be in the next issue. It was kinda long so I broke it up for Tom. I'll try to get some pics in for the next issue. Tom took a pic of the Cobra at VSC that he said he was going to use. Hey, at least the Cobra looked pretty good.
I got the cockpit installed today and the canopy cut. I detailed it over in the Classic area. I'm working on it.
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HI Randy,
I haven't read it yet, but I am sure you did a thorough job. Looking forward to reading it since we both do the process pretty similar.
Bill <><
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Randy,
Thanks for the effort------I read it first when my SN came. y1
Please continue the series. #^
Cheers,
Jim
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Jim,
Thanks. I fyou have questions, I'll do what I can.
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I'm not all that experienced in the dope and silkspan applications, so I found it to be very very good information. Thanks Randy, looking forward to the rest.
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Randy, got my CD today and loaded it. Just brushed thru it to make sure it didn't have any problems. When I got to your article I printed it off for bed time reading material. Thanks for the info. DOC Holliday
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It seems that every time I finish a plane, I learn something. Lacquer is a funny substance. Much more sensitive to changes in conditions and I'm sure the whims of the gods. It always seems that something that worked fine last time, gives you problems this time. Big thing is just to hang with it. It seems they are get finished eventually.
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The book was called Keeping your VW alive: a step by step procedure for the complete idiot. The idea here was to try to do something to help those that haven't done a dope finish before. I find that a lot of guys that write finishing articles leave out a lot of stuff that anyone that has done this sort of thing before already knows. So I tried to include all kinds of stuff that is obvious to those that have experience.
Hi, Randy
I just got my Stunt News CD in the mail today. I am looking forward to reading your article. I have been begging anyone who would listen to do a "Complete Idiot" directions for finishing. I was NEVER an auto mechanic but I remember that book! I used it to pull a burned up engine from a '65 VW and replace it with a rebuilt short block, all by myself! I shall never forget the pride I experienced.
I have always been "Finishing Challenged"!!! Always! I am looking forward to studying your piece. I'll get back to you on this.
regards,
bill marvel
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Thanks Randy, the old DOC will look forward to it. Never too old to learn new things. DOC Holliday
I am, but should learn anyway LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ HB~>
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Hey Leo, we're only as old as we feel. I felt like a kid again at VSC. I am back from flying today in 50 degree temps and 10-15 mph breezes and feel like an old man now. DOC Holliday
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Finishing seems to be a popular topic right now! LOL!! Sparky has posted on it, too. I think everyone will agree that preparation is a major factor in a great finish. The other major factor is the proper application of materials. Unfortunately, there is no magic jar of *20 point finish* we can buy! LL~ It takes time to develop a system, some take longer than others to get it down, for whatever reason! The major thing is just to do it. If you pay attention, you will get better.
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Bill,
That's a point I made. The system I outline (in ridiculous detail) is what I use. I think I said that it is far from the only way. But it works for me. My mantra: if you haven't tried it before, do a test panel before shooting it on the plane.