how do you paint checker board on the front of the cowl the colours are red and yellow??????????[sm=sunsmiley.gif]

This may be a good case for ironing on some low temp covering material to make your checkerboard pattern rather than masking and painting. I am assuming that the cowl is fiberglas rather than vac-formed plastic, which would probably distort under the iron.
Layout the grid using vinyl masking tape (1/8" automotive type). You have to keep track of which side of the tapes are your lines. Do one color, pull the tape and then use tracing paper to get the size and shapes for the second set of "squares".
It really doesn't take that long.
Allan

Another alternative to painting is using trim sheet material, cut in squares.

Painting would still be the best method due to the compound curves.

FBD.

Does it have to be red and yellow? Reason I ask is that dollar stores sell a roll of black and white checkerboard (for a buck, you know ) that is self-adhesive and normally used for shelf paper.

It's enough to cover half a dozen cowls (or a few wings).

Go to your nearest sign store that cuts vinyl graphics. They can cut you a mask that has self adhesive. Lay it on the surface to be painted...paint it, then peel off the vinyl mask... I had some cut for me the other day and it cost me $20.

Mike

Paiting checker board is not hard. It just takes patience. First paint the entire area white to bring out the true red and yellow colors later on. Let the white base coat fully dry overnight, then spray a couple of coats of yellow on top of the white. Let the yellow fully dry. Use either a pencil or a fine tip red market and draw in the check squares. Carefully mask off all squares that you want to remain yellow and spray red on top.

Since my P-47 cowl wasn't completely covered with checkerboard, I will do the rest of the cowl. First, mask off the area you don't want to get overspray with masking tape and plastic bag. I used Patra masking tape at the edge since Patra tape is thin, flexible, and can bend around curves.

Lightly mist on the first coat to avoid getting paint underneath the tape and bleed. Wait 10 minutes and apply the next coat.

Second light coat applied. Wait another 10 minutes before applying the next coat.

Here is what the cowl looks like after the third and final coat of white. I'm going to let the cowl sit overnight before drawing in the black squares.

Why not use liquid mask? Paint the yellow first. Brush on one coat of liquid mask and let dry. Brush on second coat of mask and let dry. Using a pencil and ruler put x's in the corners of the squares where you think they should be and then connect the x's. If it still looks good and straight, go over the lines with a ball point pen. Now get out your knife and lightly cut through the mask using a straight edge and roll up the mask square. Paint and then roll off the other squares protecting the base coat.