Hey guys,

Im getting close to finishing my skyburner .60 (with k&b 82), and im coming to the time to paint it. Im glassing it, very lightly, but i want to use my airbrush i got. I was wondering if people out there have some techniques they use on painting it. If you can see my avatar, thats the paint scheme- an ANG Phantom from Niagara falls. Also, does anyone know(or know where i can find) the colors for this, besides shades of grey Thanks,

Ed Schurr

P.S. Also, can you use acrylic water based paint, and clear coat it with a fuel proof coat? Or is something else better?

I'm not sure you will be happy painting a plane that size with an airbrush. I use one on tail surfaces and ailerons, but it's difficult to get an even finish on larger surfaces.

I purchased a touch up gun and have done my spraying with that. It is very easy and leaves a nice smooth finish.

As far as paint, I would look at Nelson Hobby Paints. They are waterbase and fuel proof. Best of all, they don't have any odor. They can mix any color you want - just send them a photo.

My friend is having great success w/latex house paints. Cheap and avialable in any color you like at your local home depot. They are fuel proof and strong. There are already great threads on this in the technique section. Try it you will like it
Brian

I agree with the post that that model is too large for an airbrush. You will have great difficulty getting consistant coverage. I would suggest you invest in a cheap touch up gun from Harbor Freight. I also agree with the comment on latex paint. The Nelson paint may be fine paint, but for large scale aircraft, it is just too darn expensive IMO.

Vince

I would like to believe that latex house paints are hot fuel proof, but I don't think so. I think they have to be clear coated with something such as polyurethane to be fuel proof--unless you have a gasser or a diesel . John

You are right about nelson paints being expensive. It runs me about 100 bucks to do each plane.

I have painted two field boxes with latex house paints....I have repeatedly spilled raw 30 % heli fuel on them with no damage to the paint !!!!!!!!! The trick is to let the paint cure for a couple of weeks. Give it a try
Brian

Ed,

I've been doing some work with Createx Auto Airbrush paints and have had some good success with them. You can get them from Hyatt's Art Supplies on Main Street in Clarence, about 6 bucks a bottle. Check out their web site www.createxcolors.com for more info. First "full" plane I did in this stuff is my F-16 in NATO Tigermeet scheme. Ready for clearcoat, I'll probably use HobbyPoxy flat for it. I've tested clearcoating this stuff with Ditzler clearcoat with no problems, so I'd imagine just about anything could be used.

Hey, another jet modeler in Buffalo?!?! Geez, I thought I was the only idiot around here! Where do you fly out of?

Feel free to email me off-list if you want more info.

Bob

Hello ,
I'm Bigbri's friend and yes I'm getting good reults at
a very low cost.

I'm using a cheap run of the mill single action Badger
airbrush. Latex paint will "flow" out for a time after
it hits the surface ,(remember it's thinned with water etc)
and you can get a nice even coverage that's uniform.

Practice on a large piece of glass,let it almost dry wipe off
and do it again until you develope a system that works for you.

Use several light coats rather than one heavy wet coat
and don't lay it on too heavy. Just enough to do the job

Bigbri is correct about the drying , let it set several days
before masking trim or exposing to fuel .

Good luck

ps Bigbri...... and you didn't think that I could type.....HA !

Thanks for all the help guys, the info you guys gave me is invaluable. Hopefully i should have a pic or so in a couple weeks of the jet for everyone to see.

Ed Schurr

I just tried some Rustoleum "Painter's Touch" water-based enamel. It's an all purpose interior/exterior paint. When thinned down, it sprayed very well through my badger airbrush. I do light coats and dry with a hair dryer between coats. I also use an auto touchup gun on larger areas. The latexes dry fast and you might have dull spots, but when you put your final clearcoat on it evens everything oyut. I've used the house paints for camo colors with great success. At Home Depot they can scan your color samples and match anything. It's worth experimenting.

If you need a certian color mixed in automotive grade paint send me an email. I can have a 1/2 pint made for about $20. I have a friend at a paint shop that is awesome with color matching. If you have a picture or a small piece with the color you want we can get very close. I also suggest a automotive clear. Its fuel proof. I use it on heils and we all know how they blow fuel everywhere. (i fly a heli).

www.canopyfx.com