Author Topic: What it has cost to finish this plane. (Read 3139 times)

RC Storick · « **on:** October 29, 2006, 11:35:19 AM »

I thought I would keep a tally on the just the finishing costs on this plane.

Poly Span = $15.00
Sandpaper so far = $35.00
Z-Poxy = $15.95
Fiberglass cloth = $6.95
Quart of clear dope = $12.95
thinner = $25.00
Epoxolite = $16.95
Stenciles = $90.00

So far spent just on the finish for this model is $217.80 and there is still color and clear urethane to go let alone the finishing materials to sand and buff out. This tally will be completed when the model is finished. It was just an idea to give you an overview on just what it takes to build and finish a model like this one.

So you ask yourself whats it worth? I would say that in order to sell a model like this one with engine and pipe ready to fly at my current rate of pay I would need at least $7,500.00 to break even.

Bill Little · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2006, 05:37:44 PM »

HI Sparky,

Everyone knows a good Harley mechanic makes a LOT more than a model builder could ever dream to make!

You can't hardly get minimum wage for model building.

Actually, you are coming out pretty cheap on the finishing supplies. I spent over $100 on the colors alone for one plane.........

Bill <><

frank carlisle · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2006, 07:21:50 AM »

Most people think control line is the cheap route to aeromodeling.

Bill Little · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2006, 07:24:17 AM »

Quote from: frank carlisle on October 30, 2006, 07:21:50 AM

Most people think control line is the cheap route to aeromodeling.

Well, you can spend a much or as *little* as you want to. I have built a .40 size profile from mostly scrap pieces and the actual cost was pretty low. But painting them always cost a good bit.

Bill <><

Clancy Arnold · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2006, 03:38:48 PM »

I did not keep track of the cost of my first scale model, P-38 shown in Model Aviation Mar. 1986. I did keep track of the time! Designed the model, built the wing, saw that it was too small, Redid the drawings and built the model. 1000 hours, and MA paid me $350.00 for the design. I made 35 cents per hour.

Clancy

peabody · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2006, 04:28:22 PM »

George Gaydos built a Nats winning (twice) P-38 YIPPEE....the 5000th that was painted red...he spent over 2000 hours on it....a work of art.
Windy usually spends about 400 hours on his masterpieces, I would estimate....

ebonbetta · « **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2006, 01:13:40 AM »

I would assume You talking planes with nice pristine finishes....
Not my simple add paper and dope and fly planes

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #7 on:** October 31, 2006, 12:46:00 PM »

Kinda makes the cost of an ARF the deal of the century

phil c · « **Reply #8 on:** October 31, 2006, 04:51:13 PM »

My last plane:
SLC covering 15 ft. $3.75
Silkspan 4 sheets $1.00
1 can polyu $5.00
1 can spray primer $3.50
1 can white Rusto $3.50
1/3 can red Rusto $2.00
part of a can of black$1.00
total $19.75

this gives a finish commensurate with the skill, elbow-grease, and time spent. About the only addition would be a final automotive clear coat to get that glass-like appearance.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2006, 11:25:34 PM »

Wait till you've paid the guy at the auto paint store $50 for a pint of paint. Fun stuff.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2006, 11:29:48 PM »

um Randy, come visit me,, mine doesnt cost me 50 bucks, heck I got a whole mixing system full of colors,,
wink wink,, even have most of the house of color candies, all the cool pearls,,
so what am I building next, sigh a military plane, no cool colors, no wild graphics, sheesh what am I thinking

Bill Little · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2006, 01:47:57 AM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on November 04, 2006, 11:29:48 PM

um Randy, come visit me,, mine doesnt cost me 50 bucks, heck I got a whole mixing system full of colors,,
wink wink,, even have most of the house of color candies, all the cool pearls,,
so what am I building next, sigh a military plane, no cool colors, no wild graphics, sheesh what am I thinking

Hi MArk,

Do you get the HOK paints in lacquer? I really really need some HOK Candies and Pearls. I especially need a Candy Pearl Gold. I want to shoot the candy gold and top coat it with pearl in the clear.

I also nee Pearl Tangerine.

Bill <><

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2006, 05:09:18 PM »

I will check tommorrow, but I believe that all we have is urethane finishs. my coworker/boss, is a urethane beleiver as am I so I dont think there are any laquers around the shop

Bill Little · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2006, 10:36:18 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on November 05, 2006, 05:09:18 PM

I will check tommorrow, but I believe that all we have is urethane finishs. my coworker/boss, is a urethane beleiver as am I so I dont think there are any laquers around the shop

Hi Mark,

I appreciate it! I have used the urethanes, but as an "Old Timer" I love Lacquer. I guess it will be a thing of the [ast everywhere before too long. EPA has it's own ideas for "protecting" us.

Bill <><

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #14 on:** November 06, 2006, 09:34:21 PM »

Bill I scoured the shelves, alas, no laquer anywhere in the shop, even on the dusty back shelves, the other painter looked at me like I was nuts too, sheesh, so much for my reputation,, lol,, sorry cant help you out there.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #15 on:** November 07, 2006, 01:15:21 PM »

Mark,

I go to my auto paint place here in Tacoma, hand the guy a color number and have him mix it up without clear base (binder). The toners, I'm told, have no urethane carriers so it doesn't much matter what you mix them with. He hands me the pint can with toners but not clear base. I go home and just fill the can with clear dope and, Viola!, colored dope any color you want.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #16 on:** November 07, 2006, 07:59:44 PM »

Randy, that only works with some of the systems, PPG uses toners with the carrier already in the mix so that isnt possible. besides, all my stuff is pure urethane from primer up. I was just trying to help out another member who asked about HOK stuff.
what are you building these days anyway?
It was good to finally meet you in Salem

Bill Little · « **Reply #17 on:** November 07, 2006, 08:29:52 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on November 06, 2006, 09:34:21 PM

Bill I scoured the shelves, alas, no laquer anywhere in the shop, even on the dusty back shelves, the other painter looked at me like I was nuts too, sheesh, so much for my reputation,, lol,, sorry cant help you out there.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for trying! I guess I am going to go ahead and find some HOK colors that ain't lacquer.

I used all Dupont Chromabase on my Argus, and it IS light, covered great, and took only 4 oz. of *mixed* paint to cover it entirely in the mint green base color.

Bill <><

Randy Powell · « **Reply #18 on:** November 08, 2006, 09:36:02 AM »

Mark,

My last couple of planes used pPg colors. Mostly Omni and Ditzler. Just the toners mixed with Certified non-taunting clear butyrate. Hmm...

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #19 on:** November 09, 2006, 12:28:01 AM »

Ok that splains it Randy, Omni I havent used but it makes sense as they use the same toners for base and single stage, ditzler is the same, and you are correct in that it does have a base converter, I am currently using DBC, concept basecoat system. it does NOT have addditional converters. whatcha working on these days anyway? I have the plans all worked up for the profile bf 109 as soon as I can weasel some money for good wood its on the board. the plans for the built up 109 are about 1/2 resolved at this point. Pat put his blessing on my profile plans for me, thats about as good as I need for insurance before cutting wood.