Elric

How is everybody doing with latex paint. I`ve seen some articles out there, and it looks like it is fairly simple and inexpensive, but that usually isn`t the way it turns out. Anybody having luck or frustrations out there. I am finishing up a Thunderbolt and would like to paint it. Any info or tips would be appreciated. Thanks !

Vince

My Feedback: (1)

Latex is great for finishing a warbird in a realistic paint job, not the glossy wet look like auto paint. It is cheap, easy to use, very durable, and availiable in whatever color you need....great stuff.

Explore using flat, or semi-gloss and see which you prefer. I used flat exterior on my Jug. I like the flat, but it shows a lot of scuff marks, which look scale, but I'm wondering if semi-gloss would have been better.

Vince

IronCross

Is the latex fuel proof ?. Seems to me I read you have to spray a coat of fuel proof clear over it.

Roby

I have been using latex and getting good results

I would suggest that you don't do your new scale
project as a first try.

Find a decent airframe kicking around and do that
first. Fly it and see if it's right for you.

I threw a Sig 4*120 together covered it, put on
some pinking tape and some scale type details
I did clear coat with a latex high gloss after
the paint application.

Been flying it all summer....no problem,works for me.

NOW I will paint my Super Cub that has the pinking tape
and other details. I expect no problems....cause I worked
out the process on a "test plane"

Regards
Roby

IronCross

OK, are you using glo fuel ?. Does it matter wether it is interior or exterior ? If glow are you using 15% nitro

dennis

My Feedback: (90)

to the best of my knowledge latex is NOT fuelproof and the reason that you put a clearcoat on is to prevent the rubbing off that you get if you don't. Make no mistake this is a nice cheap way to finish a model and like everything new you need a learning curve like how much water to use when spraying. If you can't find the color you want in latex then it just dosn't exist

BigBird1

My Feedback: (4)

Laytex will not stand any form of alcohol...unless spayed with a sealer that is "fuel" proof...and will stay on the laytex...

I have done two planes with latex, only on colortex....thinned with windshield washer fluid, 2/3 paint 1/3 washer fluid....
Has stood up for two years...and is easy to touch up..

Just took the mono to the local outlet and had they scaned it and they mixed up a quart for me..... $8.00 I think....That's enought to do several planes....

Do a cote lightely, dry for a few with a hair dryer...spray next coat, do same with dryer, apply next cote, let set over night...

This only for GASers, If you want to do a clear coat over the top of the paint, use Minwax water based clear for floors..

I have tried it with monocote, but with not too much luck....it stays on for a while and then will start peeling off...
colors are unlimited, paint is cheep, and the wife dosen't care if I spray the parts in the hobby room.

Just 2 cents worth.....

Roby

Yes I'm using glo fuel
Exterior latex trim paint
15%

Regards
Roby

BigBird1

My Feedback: (4)

Roby

What are you using over the latex to seal it....
I noticed that you were using exterior trim paint...is their a difference between that and house paint...

Thanks in advance...

Roby

I top coated with a high gloss ,(i wanted a gloss finish)
clear water base polyurethane. If you pour 15% directly
on the finish , it will soften, don't wipe it , let set for a while
then clean up with Windex.

The finish stands up very well to exhaust . One of the most
important tips when using latex is to make sure it's
completely dry before masking etc. allow 72hours min before
letting it see fuel

I'm not sure if there is a difference between trim and
house paint, but the trim paint is available in quarts.

I suggest that you do a search on "latex paint"
you will find many links with highly detailed info

Hope this helps
Roby

BigBird1

My Feedback: (4)

Yes, a lot, I'm still experimenting with it.....
Have you done anything on monokote with latex and having better results than me????

Thanks....

Roby

Can't help you there...............I am not
a fan of monokote by any measure .

All my latex painting is done on Super Shrink Coverite,
Koverall,or fiberglassed balsa.

Sorry
Roby

Elric

ROBY,

With the Super Coverite and the Koverall, don`t you have the same problems around tips and fillets the way you would with Mono/ultracote? I`ve never used it yet, but it seems like it would be similar. How does it differ? Thanks

Roby

I think we're off the paint topic ?

I find that the fabric will flow around wing tips
and other tight areas better than a film.

The covering I use is dependent on the subject matter

My PA 18 is glass where the sheet metal is and fabric
every where else,my Spitfire is done in a similar fashion,
because the fillets are metal, I glass them. Trying to get
an iron on covering , (film or fabric) on fillets is a very
difficult task. I can't do it and make it look good and
I'd end up with a ton of seams.

Like I mentioned before, I am not a fan of iron
on films.

Get a "test plane" and go at it. It may cost a few bucks
but you'll learn a lot.

Roby

Elric

Roby [/B][/QUOTE]

Thank you for your advise. It was very helpful

coop02

My Feedback: (4)

I did an SNJ in latex interior wall paint. So easy to get the colors I wanted and no need to try to match film covering colors to paint the cowl, etc. BUT, it is definitely NOT fuelproof.

To fuelproof it, use Carver-Tripp waterbased SUPER Polyurethane. Be sure to get the SUPER, the regular is right next to it, and is not fuelproof ( Minwax waterbased poly is not either).

I brushed everything on with a foam brush. Thin the latex 2 parts paint to 1 part water to avoid brush marks. Takes several coats to get good coverage.

I brushed the super poly on with a foam brush, too, but found later that it sprays great right out of the can and really gives a good finish. I used a HVLP sprayer. (next time I'm also going to spray the latex).

You can use any kind of gloss in the latex. The final finish you get is determined by the Super Poly, semi or high gloss. Flat or semigloss in the latex gives the poly a better surface to adhere to.

George

BigBird1

My Feedback: (4)

That do look like a fine paint job.....