No plastic coverings were used in this plane.
The paints are automotive airbrushing paints (Auto Air brand). I used red metalic, gold flake, opaic white and translucent black. These paints require a reducer (actually two, one formulated for the metalics, and one for the translucent) They are not fuel proof and need to be clearcoated. Ideally you would use an automotive two part clearcoat but the cost of the smallest quantity would be in the neighborhood of $80, so I use exterior water based polyurethane paint from the hardware store. The metalic gold was the most expensive at around $16 for 4 oz followed by the red at about $14. The black and white were around $11. Not the cheapest way to paint. I used a small HVLP spray gun and an Aztec airbrush. I used the transparent black to create a fade on the red. I think I should have used more reducer to get a finer transition. This was definately not the cheapest way to paint.
The clearcoat is fuel resistant so the plane will need to be cleaned of fuel within an hour or two.

I hope to maiden this weekend. It just started raining and it's predicted to be off and on all week. I built this plane for a couple of reasons. First, my former (and much more stock) 4 * crashed from reversed ailerons after getting my radio back from repairs (forgot to reverse the servo). Second, I lost confidence in my previous radio (Polk) and I fly at a very busy field so I got a DX7 and wanted a plane to put it in and get used to before putting it in my TF Spitfire. Third, I figured if I set it up with retracts and if it was a bit on the heavier side, it would be good practice for heavier wingloads of scale warbirds. Finally, I just gotta do things different. I'll keep you posted on the maiden.

Scott