Author Topic: how do you finnish? (Read 3724 times)

steve pagano · « **on:** February 23, 2007, 12:31:47 PM »

I about ready to start spraying on my vector 40 and my big Jim l.j. but cant since my apartment hasn't had heat since '04

So i was wondering how do some of you gents plane your Finnish? Do you keep it all in your head,Do you make it up as you go along? I herd some people have scale drawings of there plane and color it like a coloring book to get an idea of what there Finnish will look like before they even touch the spray gun! So what are your techniques?

Jim Treace · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2007, 12:54:49 PM »

Steve:
I am NOT an accomplished finisher, so I have to be kind of careful at the start and not try to get into too complicated of schemes. So, I get my ideas by looking at as many photos of other guys planes, pick out colors that I like and then photo copy a picture of my model or sketch it out. With several copies of this, I begin to draw out a scheme that I think I can actually do. I also get the paint chips and actually let my wife and girls look over the colors I think I want to put together. See picture of my Smoothie I just finished last month.
I know that there are some extremely accomplished finishers on this line so I would guess that you will get a lot of excellent advice.
You need heat, this is winter time!
Jim

Dwayne · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2007, 01:39:20 PM »

I'm not the best finisher either so I try to stick to easy methods. All my models use rattle can spray on the fuse and Ultracoat on the wings and flying surfaces, I stick to easy schemes such as stripes and triangles Here's a pick of one, I got the idea while browesing some picks of other models I wanted it to be blue and white but my LHS only had black and yellow checkerbord trim sheets so I just changed the color of the model to match. Oh and it's also a Vector I bashed to look like a jet.
Good Luck
Dwayne

Bill Little · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2007, 01:52:54 PM »

Most of the time, unless it is an OTS or Classic plane, I wing it. I get out the 1/8th" inch blue vinyl 3M and start applying it. Of course that is after I base coat it. Once in a long while I "back mask" to save weight, but seldom do I have a "plan".

On the OTS and Classic (especially the Classic), I copy the original since I am building a "replica" of a specifiic plane, usually.

All my modern planes have been "by chance".

Bill <><

Wayne Collier · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2007, 05:55:57 PM »

Makin' this one up as I go.

Bill Little · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2007, 06:00:15 PM »

This is one of the "winging it" schemes:

Russell Shaffer · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2007, 07:22:57 PM »

You guys are NOT bad finnishers. I do bad, you do great.

steve pagano · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2007, 10:41:57 PM »

Quote from: Dwayne Donnelly on February 23, 2007, 01:39:20 PM

I'm not the best finisher either so I try to stick to easy methods. All my models use rattle can spray on the fuse and Ultracoat on the wings and flying surfaces, I stick to easy schemes such as stripes and triangles Here's a pick of one, I got the idea while browesing some picks of other models I wanted it to be blue and white but my LHS only had black and yellow checkerbord trim sheets so I just changed the color of the model to match. Oh and it's also a Vector I bashed to look like a jet.
Good Luck
Dwayne

WOW i never would have guessed that it was a vector it's a beauty

john e. holliday · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2007, 07:44:11 PM »

Ty you are funny. When are you going to be back at VSC? Anyway back to original post. My finish depends on what mood I am in and the weather. Just today sprayed the fuselages of 4 mouse racers with some K&B Epoxy Blue. Each has a different color of Jacket lining material on wings and tail surfaces. I have planes that are completely done with MonoKote. Some are heavy weight silkspan and dope . Some are auto paint colors with two part clear over that. I guess that is why I get 9 point finishes as I don't stay with one long enough to get really good at it. But, any finish takes practiece and a lot of patience. DOC Holliday

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2007, 09:07:51 PM »

As for myself, I generally start off with a concept, a color, and do some sketchs of what I envision. Do the same thing for custom work on cars. However when I get the the real thing, I almost always have to "adjust" what I drew because when on a 3d shape it doesnt quite look the same. So in a sense I suppose I just wing it. My Oriental, I started with the color, Tangerine Pearl, a Chrysler color, and I had a design in mind, even had sketchs, but when I layed out the colors on the surface it just didnt spark the feel I wanted, so I just dumped that and did this! I thought it looked better than the pattern I had drawn which used 3 other colors. When the airframe was all in orange, it was just to clean to clutter up with a bunch of other colors.

John Miller · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2007, 10:57:46 AM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on February 26, 2007, 10:58:09 PM

Quote from: john e. holliday on February 26, 2007, 07:44:11 PM
. When are you going to be back at VSC?

I have plans to be , at the VSC. Just trying to pick two planes to bring. This time I'll bring two that have been flown and basically trimmed. ha ha

Hey Ty, that seams un sportsman like. Imagine, a plane showing up at VSc that's already been flown, and, gasp, trimmed out? As a former member of the Navy, I think you'll like my, as yet, unflown VSC plane. I look forward to seeing you there. I'll buy the first one.....

Mark, your Oriental is truely a thing of beauty. Just the right amount of "Tarting" up.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2007, 09:11:54 PM »

Thanks for tyhe comments gents, as for flying it, that seems to be a difference of opinion between myself and the girlfriend, she thinks it should stay where it is, heck a couple guys even showed her how to clip the leadouts so i cant fly it. I wonder if I mount an engine if she will,,,,,,,,,
Its the first one she saw me build, and actually the first one after deciding to get back into modeling I think thats what she wants to preserve, but heck, we do build them to fly, otherwise why hassle with hinges, and alignment right? hehe, Dont tell her but I plan on flying it for classic at the NW regionals,,, just have to figure out how to get it out of the house to trim it out,,,,, any ideas?

Wayne Collier · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2007, 03:35:16 AM »

I've been married to the same woman for nineteen years. There are things you just can't sneak past them. Give her a credit card and send her to the mall. While she is gone trim your plane clean it and put it back where it is. When the credit card statement comes just gulp hard and consider it part of the cost of a hobby you love. (girlfriend; airplane; you do love both hobbies, right?)

Randy Powell · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:59:12 AM »

I've been married for, well, a very long time. My wife is very supportive. She spends money on horses and doesn't bug me about models. It works out.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2007, 12:04:50 PM »

Regretably, the shopping thing wont work with the girlfreind, she HATES to shop, truth to be told, when the girls need clothes, prom dress' ans such, its usually me that gets to take them,, now, lets see though, her oldest is on the basketball team and they are going to state this weekend,, hmmm now just need some nice weather, and talk her into going to Tacoma for the tournement,,,,

Bill Little · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2007, 12:25:51 PM »

Awww...... Mark! Now you just HAVE to establish just who wears the "pants" in that relationship.....................

Now, once you get her that new pair of pants, I have found that a whole lot of sweet talking and BEGGING *sometimes* gets you a *little* closer to what you need to do!

(after 36 years of marraige, I just never know.........!)

GOOD LUCK!
Bill <><

steve pagano · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2007, 12:32:21 PM »

Ok im 17 and after reading the last few posts, Should i be taking notes for future prefrences?

Bill Little · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2007, 12:33:57 PM »

Quote from: steve pagano on February 28, 2007, 12:32:21 PM

Ok im 17 and after reading the last few posts, Should i be taking notes for future prefrences?

Ok, Steve, just remember........... a woman is always right no matter how wrong she is!

Bill <><

steve pagano · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2007, 12:38:51 PM »

How about the ''just nod and yes her'' technique will that come in handy?

Bill Little · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2007, 01:13:45 PM »

Quote from: steve pagano on February 28, 2007, 12:38:51 PM

How about the ''just nod and yes her'' technique will that come in handy?

WEll, Steve, that *usually* works. BUT, if she comes in with a new dress on and asks, "Does this dress make me look fat?" The "just nod and yes her" technique *MIGHT* get you a knot on the head!

Be afraid, be very, very afraid!!!!!!!

Women........ can't live with 'em, can't kill 'em!!!!!!!!!

Bill <><

Randy Powell · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2007, 02:46:17 PM »

>>Ok, Steve, just remember........... a woman is always right no matter how wrong she is!<<

And even if she is wrong she will never, ever admit it. Mine tends to subside when it is clear that she is wrong. But she will never admit to an error. Sigh...That's OK, she has many wonderful qualities. Bill's got me beat by 5 years, but he probably didn't get married at 18.

Bill Little · « **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2007, 03:18:00 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on February 28, 2007, 02:46:17 PM

>>Ok, Steve, just remember........... a woman is always right no matter how wrong she is!<<

And even if she is wrong she will never, ever admit it. Mine tends to subside when it is clear that she is wrong. But she will never admit to an error. Sigh...That's OK, she has many wonderful qualities. Bill's got me beat by 5 years, but he probably didn't get married at 18.

You're correct Randy........... I was an old man who had just turned 20..........

Bill <><

RC Storick · « **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2007, 03:28:06 PM »

Quote

How do you finnish?

I stand back and look at it and say "Man nice job- I'm finished"

Frederick Fielder · « **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2007, 03:29:11 PM »

I need a problem on painting and need some advise. I'm using a DA 500 paint gun and butyrate dope thinned 50/50 and my finish is dull and feels like sand paper. Or is that the way it is normally and I'm missing a step or two.
Frederick

Bill Little · « **Reply #24 on:** February 28, 2007, 03:46:40 PM »

Quote from: Frederick Fielder on February 28, 2007, 03:29:11 PM

I need a problem on painting and need some advise. I'm using a DA 500 paint gun and butyrate dope thinned 50/50 and my finish is dull and feels like sand paper. Or is that the way it is normally and I'm missing a step or two.
Frederick

Sounds like it is going on a *little* too dry. Maybe back off on the air pressure a tad, or apply a *little* wetter.

Bill <><

Randy Powell · « **Reply #25 on:** February 28, 2007, 03:51:49 PM »

>>I need a problem on painting and need some advise.<<

I don't need any paint problems, I have plenty.

If the surface feels kinda rough, you probably have the gun mis-adjusted. Make sure you have the pressure settings recommended for the gun you are using and then take a scrap piece of metal (I usually use old thinner or fuel cans) and try different air and material setting until you get a smooth application. Just takes some practice. I use auto toners in clear butyrate dope and they usually come out dull. Sort of a matte finish until I shoot clear coats on top.

Bill Little · « **Reply #26 on:** February 28, 2007, 04:03:09 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on February 28, 2007, 03:51:49 PM

>>I need a problem on painting and need some advise.<<

I don't need any paint problems, I have plenty.

If the surface feels kinda rough, you probably have the gun mis-adjusted. Make sure you have the pressure settings recommended for the guy you are using and then take a scrap piece of metal (I usually use old thinner or fuel cans) and try different air and material setting until you get a smooth application. Just takes some practice. I use auto toners in clear butyrate dope and they usually come out dull. Sort of a matte finish until I shoot clear coats on top.

Dope (lacquer) does come out "dull" 99.999% of the time, but the "rough" part I agree with you about. Air pressure/fluid adjustments need changing.

Dope(lacquer) can actually dry before it hits the surface under certain conditions. That causes the rough finish, too.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #27 on:** February 28, 2007, 04:43:54 PM »

For what he's describing, I'd say the pressure is too high for the material setting. Dry, sort of flashed surface - what you're describing. It dries before it hits the surface. If the surface is orange peeled and pebbly, it's usually not enough pressure and/or too high a material setting. The material isn't atomizing enough.

That's why I say to experiment with the setting on a tin can until you understand the fan, material and air settings and what they do.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #28 on:** February 28, 2007, 06:12:39 PM »

Assuming proper application, another variable that needs to be considered which Hugely impacts finish, what thinner are you using? the wrong thinner, fast or rocket fuel as we call it,, will cause the solvents that are designed to get the material to the surface to evaporate before it does its job. I does sound to me that perhaps a combination, to fast of thinner, to much distance, moving the gun to fast, may be issues you are needing to address.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #29 on:** February 28, 2007, 07:06:33 PM »

Mark,

That's why, as you and I have discussed, practice on a can or something. Don't hit the surface of the plane with something unless you certain what it is going to do. Some errors are recoverable, some not so much. Better to screw up on a test surface. Or figure stuff out.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #30 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:04:07 PM »

AMEN BROTHA!!!!!!!!!