Marv,
I plan to write something for Stunt News when I have a consistent finish methodology. My problem is, I always want to try out new stuff. New materials, paints, fillers, taping methods and colors. What ever. I'll find a stepwise procedure that works fine, but want to try something different. Maybe lighter or that has fewer steps. Sometimes it works great, sometimes it's a disaster.
The new plane is a good case in point. It's the first plane I've built in 4 or 5 years that is a lacquer based paint from wood to clearcoat. Haven't done that in a long time but I really wanted something that was utterly compatible and as far as process, it went great. Each system has it's own quirks and tricks. I plan to write something about using alternative methods to finish including various auto paints and even, yes, composite dope finishes using auto paint additives and tricks.
As far as color choices, it tends to be a matter of taste, I guess. I've seen a lot of planes that I really, really liked, but would never have chosen the colors used. If you get to the NW Regionals, take a look at Scott Urabe planes. The guy is a master painter. He choses some really wild colors schemes that I doubt I would have ever chosen. But they work. His Ninja is white, blue, lime green and orange with some odd trim colors. Sounds horrible, but the thing is drop dead gorgeous. Wish I could get him to write something about his finishing methods. Some of his water effects and accenting tricks are truly marvelous. High Art.
One comment on paint guns. As a professional painter I talked to recently pointed out, a better gun is a better gun. Buying guns at Harbor Freight is fine and those guns can be made to work fine. Not great, but fine. I'm sure others will argue, but it will always be a case of making them work. Buying a high quality gun always makes the job easier and more precise. My son made the same point recently. He was playing my guitar (an old - very old - Washburn). He likes the sound, but says there are some things he just can play on it that he plays easily on his very expensive Taylor. It's a case of higher quality is easier. I use a cheap Harbor Freight gun (1.8 needle) to shoot primer/fillercoat. Works OK. Takes a lot of work to get the paint atomized properly so it isn't shooting raindrops and often takes a lot of screwing around with pressure, mixture settings and such, often while shooting. A constant adjustment. I use a high end Binks gun to shoot color. Never a problem. Mix the paint as directed for viscosity, set the gun and shoot. Never had a lick of problem with it (until this recent plane, but that's another story). Set it and shoot. It's just easier to use and the outcomes are spectacularly more consistent.
OK, I've rambled enough.
Topic: How to Paint show & tell by the experts (Read 2887 times)