stunthanger.com

Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Randy Powell on October 05, 2009, 09:22:25 PM

Title: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 05, 2009, 09:22:25 PM: Well, while I'm not altering the material used in past finishes on this new plane, I am changing the process of application somewhat. Due to the structure being somewhat heavier than I had planned, I really need a light finish. I'm experimenting again, I'm afraid. This may result in a less than perfect finish (or may not), but it will definitely be lighter than some of my past efforts. If it works out, I'll post the process here. So far so good (though there is a lot more sanding involved than many past efforts).

I've even come up with a paint scheme as I've slaved away with sandpaper and various shaped blocks. And colors to go with the scheme. Light ones, I hope.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: John Miller on October 05, 2009, 09:38:25 PM: You been talkin' to Pete? LL~ H^^
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 06, 2009, 08:38:19 AM: John,

No, I've been weighing the plane.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Howard Rush on October 09, 2009, 09:45:27 PM: Randy is known for paint diversity. He has tried every possible combination of paint, and if he's ever used the same material more than once, he threw in a bat or something to avoid monotony.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Clint Ormosen on October 09, 2009, 10:02:44 PM: Quote from: Howard Rush on October 09, 2009, 09:45:27 PM
Randy is known for paint diversity. He has tried every possible combination of paint, and if he's ever used the same material more than once, he threw in a bat or something to avoid monotony.

Interesting. I'm not sure which is worse. Guys like Randy who experiment with every paintjob which might end in total disaster or a super 20 pt finish, OR guys like me that are stuck in the same finishing rut. Randy is likely to stumble onto the end-all-be-all way to finish, but it's high risk. My finishes are "safe" by comparison, but will always be labor intensive and heavy.

Think I'll just wait for Randy to try every possible combo and see what happens. ;D
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 10, 2009, 12:29:53 AM: Howard (and Clint),

Nope, no experimentation this time (at least with materials). It's all dope from the same can from the wood up.

Just some experiments with process in an effort to have a lighter end product. Going pretty well so far.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Howard Rush on October 13, 2009, 10:51:02 PM: That's a little disappointing. Randy comes up with spectacular models. I'd hate to see him do something plain, but it gets him out to contests, maybe it's OK.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Mark Scarborough on October 14, 2009, 09:13:11 AM: Hey Howard,
dont give up on him yet. He always SAYS hes going to do this one simple,, but once the paint starts flying, he is kinda like me, it just sort of starts to happen.
lol
I quit chastising him about doing a simple one since it only seemed to make him more intent on doing something really cool.....
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 14, 2009, 11:02:01 AM: We'll see. A lot depends on how the base comes out. So far, so good.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Ryan on October 15, 2009, 03:47:52 PM: It'll be gorgeous no matter what. Of this I am certain.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 15, 2009, 05:20:20 PM: I'm a fan of the show Overhaulin' They just gave me a wicked idea for a paint scheme with only 3 colors. I'll have to see if I can come up with the base color. Maybe I'll call Chip Foose and get a color number.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Ryan on October 15, 2009, 06:48:13 PM: Go for it R Go for it!!!
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: john e. holliday on October 16, 2009, 10:04:10 AM: Quote from: Clint Ormosen on October 09, 2009, 10:02:44 PM

Interesting. I'm not sure which is worse. Guys like Randy who experiment with every paintjob which might end in total disaster or a super 20 pt finish, OR guys like me that are stuck in the same finishing rut. Randy is likely to stumble onto the end-all-be-all way to finish, but it's high risk. My finishes are "safe" by comparison, but will always be labor intensive and heavy.

Think I'll just wait for Randy to try every possible combo and see what happens. ;D

Hey Clint, it paid off at VSC last year if I remember right. That was one gorgeous plane. Was busy with Keeper of the Flame Award meeting and didn't get to vote. DOC Holliday
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 16, 2009, 01:39:46 PM: What are good colors to mix to make cream?
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Matt Colan on October 16, 2009, 01:49:29 PM: Quote from: Randy Powell on October 16, 2009, 01:39:46 PM
What are good colors to mix to make cream?

White and yellow maybe ???
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Mike Ferguson on October 16, 2009, 02:30:15 PM: Quote from: Randy Powell on October 16, 2009, 01:39:46 PM
What are good colors to mix to make cream?

White, yellow (preferably more of a mustard ochre shade), and a super tiny hint of dark red. Like, super tiny.

It works when painting metal miniatures, so I imagine it'd work just fine on a stunt plane. ;)
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Mark Scarborough on October 16, 2009, 02:47:49 PM: Rancy,
are you after a red hue, or a green hue?
pretty much start with white,, add a small amount of red and green, like drops, watch as it shifts. a few drops either way will sway it from the red hue to the green and back.
One thing to really watch out for on cream, It tends to shift color quite drastically as it dries , then again when you clear it.

If you are using copper or orange trim then you may want to keep it to the reddish side.
I try to avoid using much or any black in lighter colors like this, unless you are trying to dirty it up some.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 16, 2009, 07:37:06 PM: Mark,

Definitely red. I'm vacillating between two schemes. I have all the colors for one, the other I'm lacking the cream. I was thinking red and yellow in white to make the cream. I hadn't thought of red and green. I went to the paint shop and looked over several creams, but didn't see what I wanted. I have to admit, I also emailed Chip Foose to ask what color he used on the car I saw (had to include the car and episode). He emailed back to tell me the colors he used to mix it, but he didn't keep track of the amount of each. Sigh... I guess he just adds colors until he gets what he wants.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Mark Scarborough on October 16, 2009, 09:33:27 PM: Randy,FYI, the reason for the red and green, that gives you a warm way to richen up the color. If you use just say Red and black to get the shade, it will be muddy from the black. When you tint to color match on a car,, red kills green, green kills red ( well when you are working with yellows and golds ,, ok most of the time but especially with golds and yellows since its the cast you are looking to get)
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 17, 2009, 11:41:21 PM: Mark,

Well, I won't be painting for a bit. Just sanding. At least it's just about covered.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 18, 2009, 11:00:16 PM: Well, the toad is covered with a coat of clear on. Now to the fillets (they will be microscopic) and then it's off to test my theory.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Ryan on October 22, 2009, 09:05:56 AM: Micro-Fillets, sounds like a steak in an overpriced restaurant. Looking forward to your progress Randy.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 22, 2009, 09:17:40 AM: Randy,

I'm being pretty weight conscious with this plane so the fillets will be small. Doesn't need much since I sort of already did some of it with balsa. I really need to keep this plane in the 55-57 ounce range (lighter would be better, but that's not happening). At least it's structurally the stiffest plane I've ever built.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Ryan on October 23, 2009, 06:16:39 PM: How come no pictures???
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 24, 2009, 09:33:23 PM: I just got the fillets on today. Has one coat of unthinned clear dope on it. Once I dress the fillets, it's will get a couple more coats of clear. Then I'll sand and take some more pictures prior to the base color going one.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Mark Scarborough on October 24, 2009, 09:52:23 PM: Randy,
for gods sake, dont expose us to undressed fillets!
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 24, 2009, 09:54:33 PM: Mark,

Isn't it past your bedtime?

The fillets laid out pretty well, but need a bit of sanding before they are presentable to the public.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 25, 2009, 07:35:58 PM: The fillets are done and another coat of maple syrup is on. Based on how it looks now, I'll need at least another coat over the open bays. I'll probably give it another coat tomorrow then start sanding. Then, hopefully, I can see the low spots and take care of those. Then it's on to base color.

Edit

Well, it's got the last coat of clear on it. It's all shiny. ;D

Inspecting it, I can see a couple of spots that will probably need some filler coat. Not really sure until I sand it all. If I can get a matte finish with just the clear, I'll go with that. May just slurp on some more of that clear on low spots. Not many of those.

So far, this is going pretty well. It's certainly the straightest plane I've ever built (I hope - a little gunshy after my last classic plane). And I've only picked up about 1.5oz from the finish so far (before sanding) so it should be the lightest finish. Though it may end up not being the prettiest plane I've ever built, it should fly well.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Shultzie on October 27, 2009, 09:35:22 AM: "Not the prettiest plane you've ever built?"Randy, Randy!!!Surely U JEST???" **)

If our "RANDLE-DANDLE-RANDY" stays true to his past form of a long lineage of CLPA artistical' masterpieces....hopefully soon we will be in for another CLPA EYE CANDY TRICK AND TREAT photo preview of the new axe before HOLLOW-WEENIE has come to pass?

Any chance of a tease "previewing" before the little GOBBLIN'S assend on our door steps this week end? H^^
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 27, 2009, 02:47:09 PM: Shultzie,

Maybe this will tide you over:

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=13958.0

Right now it's just covered and in clear dope.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Shultzie on October 27, 2009, 02:59:05 PM: Quote from: Randy Powell on October 27, 2009, 02:47:09 PM
Shultzie,

Maybe this will tide you over:

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=13958.0

Right now it's just covered and in clear dope.
Ahhhh yes! Thanks for the "FIX!" GREAT BONES SHOT!!! H^^
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: john e. holliday on October 28, 2009, 04:19:39 PM: And he is going to cover all that beautiful construction with a simple paint scheme, LL~ LL~ LL~DOC Holliday
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 28, 2009, 04:30:10 PM: Doc,

Pretty much. In the interests of weight issues, I'm going to go with as little paint as possible. We'll see. I'm vacillating on the colors. I have an idea that should be alright. But yes, the woodwork will be covered up pretty well. Oh well, some day I'll do a transparent job.
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Shultzie on October 29, 2009, 12:09:59 PM: Quote from: john e. holliday on October 28, 2009, 04:19:39 PM
And he is going to cover all that beautiful construction with a simple paint scheme, LL~ LL~ LL~DOC Holliday

DOC! OOOOOOOOOOOOOH-DOCTA' LET ME GIVE YA THE NEWS!!!!! LL~ LL~ H^^
U-2 gotta know too...that our RANDY...ALWAYS!!!! Produces amazingly beautiful paint schemes and tasty artwork!!!
We have YET to see any thing less than "STUNNIG-STUNTERS" from the mind of the Powell Clan. BW@
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Shultzie on October 29, 2009, 12:10:11 PM: #^ #^ #^ #^ #^ y1 y1 y1 H^^
Title: Re: Some thoughts on finishing
Post by: Randy Powell on October 30, 2009, 09:44:26 PM: I'm going to do some sanding this weekend, but then I'll have to leave it for 2 weeks. I'm heading out on Monday for a much needed break. It's nice to have married a woman whose family has resources (even if we resemble church mice). I'm spending most of 2 weeks in the sun and surf courtesy of my wonderful in-laws.