SPLIT S

Can anybody give me a few tips on masking an engine cowl to paint checkers. I'm working on a GP Extra 300s and I'd like to checker the cowl but it's beating me up. I can't seem to get them looking very even. Suggestions??

Thanks much,
Dan

Hooked-On-RC

My Feedback: (16)

take your cowl to an instant sign shop and get him to make you a checkerboard paint mask. then just wrap it around the cowl and go for it. I did this on a rudder once and it turned out fantastic. Just paint your cowl the light color first then mask and paint the dark colour, dark covers light better than light covers dark.

LesUyeda

If twas me: I would paint the cowl the lighter color, then apply liquid masking tape (spray mask), cut out the pattern, then paint the darker color.

Les

John Murdoch

My Feedback: (11)

Paint masks work good for flat surfaces, however, when you're doing a cowl, there's lots of variables that come into play and I'm not sure if a mask is really a good option. Just take your time using 1/8" masking/painters tape until you get it right. Here's something that I found out too. If you tape and let it sit for a couple of days before spraying, the edges of the tape seem to leak. Make sure you tape, press again before spraying then spray as soon as you can. This prevents bleeding under the tape.

Here's some examples. The two Extras were done with taping/painting and the Yak was done with vinyl.

John Murdoch

My Feedback: (11)

Here's the Dalton Extra

John Murdoch

My Feedback: (11)

And the Yak was the easiest to do. Time consuming, yes. But if I didn't like a piece or two, just rip it off and put on another.

SVX

It depends on the size of checkers you want but I buy the 1" blue automotive tape and cut 1" squares. It simplifies things greatly

LesUyeda

SVX: But if you look carefully, you will notice that near the front the "squares" are not square any more. They become trapazoids.

Les

SVX

Right, For the curved surfaces I still use the 1" tape. I draw reference lines in pencil extending out from each row to the nose. Making sure that at the nose every row is accounted for just converged a little bit. Then when I lay down my 1" square tape I can see where I need to trim it to ensure an accurate row. Much easier than 1/8" tape. Then of course I erase the pencil marks before clear coat. Here is a Great planes Mustang I did, believe it or not it didn't take that long.

SPLIT S

Thanks to everyone for the tips. I ended up masking the cowl and then drawing on the checker pattern. I carefully cut the pattern and took it to work with me today to paint it. Here is the end result. What do you think??

Dan

theo63

wow that looks great,good job wishin i could do that,maybe one day ill try