Need advice on primer/paint application
#26
Moderator
Was this plane flown before? Are you sure about the weight? That does sound awful heavy. Usually scale models that heavy are flown by 50cc-100cc gas engines.
As for your question, it's rare someone actually recoats a whole plane like you're talking about. A cowl and a set of wheel pants? Sure. Maybe a wing tip that gets scuffed up or a repaired area would get the top coat treatment. But putting new paint on top of old paint on an entire airplane is just not generally done.
As for your question, it's rare someone actually recoats a whole plane like you're talking about. A cowl and a set of wheel pants? Sure. Maybe a wing tip that gets scuffed up or a repaired area would get the top coat treatment. But putting new paint on top of old paint on an entire airplane is just not generally done.
#27
My Feedback: (29)
Well being a twin that is going to be flown around in a scale like manner does not need a ton of power. However, a pair of 46 engines on a 25 lb airplane is just not going to provide any safe amount of power. A pair of 55s would be better. I read the flight report that Minnflyer did on this airplane and he felt that it had enough power at 18 lbs. 7 pounds heavier and I'm certain it would be a different story. By comparison a 25 lb war bird would be powered with 60cc. An aerobatic model of that weight would be powered with 80cc to 100cc. Flying an underpowered airplane is just about as difficult as it gets and it's my understanding that Orion does not have much flying experience.
#29
Moderator
Extra power doesn't fully make up for an overweight plane either. He could put a pair of .90s on it, and it still wouldn't fly well if it's 7 pounds overweight. More power doesn't lower the stall speed,so the minimum takeoff speed, stall recovery time, and general handling will all suffer. It's time to put this plane on a diet.
#31
If it was me, I would seriously consider using Ultracoat. As for stripes and other designs I like to use vinyl decals over Ultrakote because I want to keep it simple. As already suggested .... If you insist on painting maybe peel off all the monocote, apply natural Solartex, then paint with Rustoleum. Solartex also comes in colors and can be applied similar to Ulracote.
Last edited by oliveDrab; 04-25-2014 at 09:01 AM.
#32
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Gentlemen: I will check to make sure of the weight of the plane. Also, thank you for the instructions regarding monokote, lustrekote, and ultrakote. will update with the correct weight. thank you. orion.
OLIVEDRAB: GREAT LOOKING PLANE. JUST AWESOME!!!
OLIVEDRAB: GREAT LOOKING PLANE. JUST AWESOME!!!
Last edited by orion4455; 04-25-2014 at 09:42 AM. Reason: add information
#33
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Gentlemen (and, I use the term loosely): Back again. The correct weight, with everything loaded, for the Cessna 310 topflite model is 17 pounds, not 25. I stand corrected. orion4455
#38
My Feedback: (29)
Not a fan of painting onto iron on covering. I once sprayed DuPont chroma base and clear on white Monokote with OK results but chipped easily. The covering was scuffed and then cleaned with acetone. The 3W aerobatic ARF airplanes have painted Untracote and they chip up rather easily also. IMO if you want to paint, covering the wood with 3/4 oz glass cloth and epoxy resin is a much better way to go.
#39
Not a fan of painting onto iron on covering. I once sprayed DuPont chroma base and clear on white Monokote with OK results but chipped easily. The covering was scuffed and then cleaned with acetone. The 3W aerobatic ARF airplanes have painted Untracote and they chip up rather easily also. IMO if you want to paint, covering the wood with 3/4 oz glass cloth and epoxy resin is a much better way to go.
#40
Moderator
Yep. Polyester film is not made to be painted on. I've done it once, made some stripes on the rudders of a foam park flyer. The rudders were built up and covered, while the rest of the plane was EPO foam. I scuffed it with steel wool too, and it held up ok. I could scratch the paint right off with my nail if I wanted to, but the rudders didn't see any wear. There's no way I'd do a whole plane that way though. If Steve has some pics of planes he's done with an all over paint job on top of polyester film I'd like to see it. Some data on the weight gain would be handy too, because I can't imagine a plane done that way coming out light.
#41
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Here's another interesting tid bit. Ive called topflite and great planes companies. talked to their air support people. they say its fine to repaint a plane; however, I did not hear a rock solid voice at the other end. it was more like they were guessing on the paint, and I expected far better information. im going to give the guys at radio south a call on Monday... just wondering.... best, orion 4455.....
#43
My Feedback: (-1)
I only tried to paint over momo on an open bay wing once. Even with scuffing the covering it looked pretty good but when the covering sagged some of the paint came off, when I tried to tighten up the covering with an iron the paint flaked off. If I'm going to paint a plane I either glass or use Tex covering. If it's a sheeted plane then I glass, if open bay I use the Tex. It's also very easy to just use colored Tex covering and pin stripe but I do that because my painting skills are lacking and I take the easy sure way out. Some would say the chickens way but I'm good with that too.
#44
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Tech support can range from terrible to excellent depending on who they've hired to work the phones and how long they've been there. Can this be done? Sure. Is it the best way? No. So many guys call in to tech support with their minds already made up what they are going to do that the agents get complacent in offering you good advice.
#45
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HELLO TOM! QUICK QUESTION: I was wondering if it would be appropriate to use a Ryobi cat corner sander to scuff the monokote, or if you think it would be too heavy and gouge the monokote. is sanding by hand the better option. I just thought I would be sanding both the fiberglass fuse and wing tips and the monokote over sheet balsa on the wings. any thoughts here? thanks orion....