WOW, what a great topic. I'm a professional artist and graphic designer with over 23 years experience with illustration, airbrushing, computer graphics and scale plastic modeling, but new to the RC world. I've done some nice looking planes in MonoKote, but would LOVE to be able to use my full artistic talents on a plane with an airbrush.
I've seen some awesome airbrushed planes, so I know you can do this on film. My question is would someone chime in with some tested and proven techniques for airbrushing on film. Here are some things I'd need to know before trying it:
1) What kind of film works best for airbrushing on?
2) What kind of paint is best for using on said film?
3) What kind of additives should be used in the paint if any?
4) What preparations need done (sanding) to the film prior to painting?
5) If sanding, do you sand the film before putting it on?
6) What about the areas you're not painting, do they get sanded as well, forcing you to base coat the entire plane?
7) Do you have to clear-coat the whole plane after airbrushing, and if so, with what type of clear coat?
8) Can you still shrink out the post-flight wrinkles of an airbrushed plane?
9) Are there any sites on the web that document the procedure?
10) I use small "fine arts" sized airbrushes, do you have to use a larger "automotive" sized paint gun for base and clear coats (to get even sold coverage of large areas?
11) Are you tired of reading these questions?!
I know that's a lot to ask, but they are all things you've gotta know before jumping in feet first with paint on something you've spent 3 months or more building! I can't afford to screw it up.
Most of my airbrushing experience consists of traditional artwork on canvas (portraits, wildlife, etc.) and I've done a few cars, guitars, etc. as well. I'm very adept at using this tool but don't know where to begin using it on a film-covered plane. I think I could figure it out if I were shooting a glassed plane, but I don't want to glass a sport/acro plane!
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom