TKFOKKER

Guys
Yesterday I started the wing crosses. Unfortunately they are taking much longer than I had planned. Originally I had purchased latex paint for them. When I started to apply it, it did not work. So I had to go to the Home Depot again and get some oil based paint. This made the process go much slower because of dry time. It took 5 coats of white to cover. I decided to use tapes, good thing I could never have gotten 5 coats on straight by free hand. Just aligning the patterns up is very critical. I use a piece of thread down the wing through the center of the crosses to make sure they are right. Today I will apply the black, then turn the wing over and start the top.

TKFOKKER

While I was waiting for the cross paint to dry. I tried my hand at free handing some wing incidence markings on the bottom of the wing. after practicing a couple times I went for it. I am very pleased with how it came out. Achim did this on the bottom of his wing by hand also. After that I drew out my No. 3 that will go on the top center of wing and various places on the fuselage. It will be colored in yellow to match the rest of the squadrons colors on the plane.
Tom

abufletcher

Is it that the latex wouldn't adhere to the varnish? I'm wondering since one of the tasks when I get back to my CI will be to paint markings over the Minwax polyurethane that I've used on fuselages stained ply. I was figuring that latex or acrylic paint would be fine.

TKFOKKER

Abu
The latex did not flow flat, it sorta beaded, or fish eyed, so I used rustoleum oil. That worked great.
Tom

TKFOKKER

Today's progress report.
I finished painting the bottom crosses. Also finished the construction of the cowl so I can paint that. I had to fill all the screw heads to simulate rivets. I used quick set JB weld. I laid out the top crosses and started painting those, and also got the No.3 laid out ready for paint. Tomorrow I will paint all these items. Cowl and No. 3 get painted the yellow to match the wheels, upper and lower metal panels and Tail.
Tom

AROPLANE

My Feedback: (52)

tom
so there it is in the background, your secret fuel "jujyfruits" is that what keeps you going
at this rate your working on your plane you should have it flying by rhinebeck LOL
keep up the beautiful work
tom

TKFOKKER

Ok Tom
So now the secret is out. Yes the Jujyfruits are what does it.I never really noticed but your right, I do tend to be addicted to the old candies I guess. Best part is my wife comes home with them for me! Although it does take me a few days to eat a box.
Tom

TKFOKKER

Today's progress report.
Painted the cowl, not happy with it. The latex paint is very hard to spray and have it come out smooth. Unfortunately it came out grainy sorta. It takes so much to cover that it gets heavy, or thick I should say. I might try to sand it down some day but right now I have no time to mess with it. It will have to do for now. The crosses are finished, and the No. 3 also. Next I will sand down the wing for the last time and finish the clear. I have decided to go to a semi gloss instead of the high gloss. Reason being, I think it will look more natural with the rest of the airplane being semi gloss to satin finish on every thing. When the aircraft came out of the Factory yes they were high gloss. But once they got out into the field and were exposed to the sun, wing, rain, and dust they lost that glossy new look. And If I do keep the plane and fly it I will most likely weather it lightly.
Tom

puplover

Hey Tom.
The wing looks great!! I love the "jujyfruit box yellow" on the cowl and number 3. Also, the color of the candies on the box ??.......did the Germans eat jujyfruits or is this a coincidence? Tom, you know I'm kidding, but it is strange.
I understand the rain, wind, and sun etc. on the top of the wing but, with that in mind, maybe the underside might have retained a bit more gloss? Just a thought.

I'll call soon.
Jack

TKFOKKER

Gloss or Semi Gloss on the wing??????????
What should I do? Help me out here Guys. What would you do? Yes they were high gloss, but, I'll tell ya it is very shiny. I would like to coat the wing today,need advise.
Thanks for your input.
Tom

cocobear

My Feedback: (2)

semi would be my vote. Otherwise it will be blinding by comparison to the rest of the plane in the sun.

AROPLANE

My Feedback: (52)

well I say gloss if thats the way they came you can always dull it out a lot easer than to make it glossier

tom

abufletcher

Another vote for semi-gloss.

AROPLANE

My Feedback: (52)

so its glad to see that cocobear is still alive and is he going to rhinebeck this year????

puplover

I vote satin, if it is duller than semi-gloss, because the reflections I am seeing in these old pictures are not like mirrors but more like reflections off a smooth surface, not necessarily a shiny one. Does anyone know 100% just how shiny they were?
Also, what does it look like out side......more shiny, or less? I'm betting a duller clear, outdoors, will reflect like a gloss clear inside.
Why not test some on the square test pieces you have and look at them outdoors(must be a N.E. word).

TKFOKKER

All of you , Thanks so much for your input. I'm gonna try the Semi Gloss, If it doesn't look right I can always coat it with gloss.
THANKS,
Tom

TKFOKKER

Ok
I coated the wing last night with the semigloss. It came out terrible. I have to sand it all down again. For some reason it left heavy brush marks. I will try buying a better brush. This is starting to get old.

JohnF

Tom, If you are not using Floetrol in the latex you should try it. It eliminates brush marks and helps the paint flow out in the humidity. I used it on the Aviatik and the results were great. I am guessing you are already using windshield washer stuff for thinner. Hope it all works out. Looking forward to seeing your D VIII at Rhinebeck.

TKFOKKER

No I talking about the varnish on the wing, It left brush marks really bad. now I'm sanding this thing again. this will be the forth time.
On my latex paint I use Flotol also, or dish soap.

abufletcher

Is it possible that the brush marks were already there in the gloss coats but not visible because of the gloss and then the semi-gloss just made them more visible?

JohnF

Okay, I guess you have no way to spray the varnish or are you trying to capture the brushed on full scale look?

eagledancer

yellow paint is usally very transparent, i have found that if i use a undercoat of white first the yellow works better without the buildup of so many coats of paint

Horsepoweraviation

My Feedback: (50)

YO TOMMY!!
Hang in there buddy! [sm=punching.gif][sm=punching.gif] The whole gang will be there in a couple of weeks![sm=bananahead.gif][sm=bananahead.gif][sm=bananahead.gif]
Im going to take the D6 to Muncie over Labor day weekend and I will try to get that weight for you.
I'm bringing you a suprise this year[X(][X(]... we are almost finished with our second project from Horsepower Aviation and its a doosie!! Hope you like it.....[sm=wink_smile.gif]
See ya soon, Paul

Plane looks fantastic!

TKFOKKER

All you Guys are great! Thanks for jumping in and helping. All the years of building has been a learning experience from others for me. I believe the lesson of life is the same.
Ok Today I sanded for 7 hours, Yes 7 hours. What a nightmare it was. I started out with 320 grit and worked my way threw to 600, then 1500. I had to sand the wing three full times. First picture shows the brush marks. Yes that's the pile of paper it took to do the job. So far I have sanded the whole wing 9 times through it's construction. I then cleaned up the mess and re coated with a new can of semigloss and this time I used a foam brush. So how ever it drys that's it. I'm done with it. Tomorrow I will do the top. Nothing worse than having the finish screw up!!!!
Tom

TKFOKKER

Hey Guys
I've been busy with getting my Morane A-1 and Sopwith pup ready for Rhinebeck. I did manage to get the E.V. out side for some pictures with the finished wing mounted on her. It was exciting and fun. Even the wife enjoyed seeing it outside put together. It takes three people to move the wing out of the house and to mount it on the plane. Pretty much done with it for Rhinebeck. I still have to build a box to put it in.
Tom