need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

I am in the process of building a 1/2 scale stits sky baby over in the scratch build formums and I need suggestions as to how to paint the N number on the top wing. I think if I just went for it and started masking things off and painting them and then remasking the other half of things and painting some more that I could eventually get it to look the way it should in the pictures below (sorry these are the best ones I could find right now). I was just wondering if someone else had experience in painting a wing similar to this and could tell me what steps and in what order would be best or simplist way to paint it.

Thanks, David

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

If you are painting on fabric..and have a steady hand :) use a good paintbrush...

I am really sold on acrylic hobby paint on fabric for scaleish finish...but then again I am not building shiny planes...

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

I was thinking about masking off the sunburst pattern and probably get some kind of stencil for the numbers. I usually do my painting with a spray gun unless there is some reason I cant or shouldnt.

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

I make my own stencils. I've been doing this for years.


1. Get a piece of wax paper of the appropriate size.
2. Use 2 inch painters ,(blue) masking tape and cover the wax
paper overlapping the seams by 1 inch. check for air bubbles.
3. Use a Sharpie on the tape to trace whatever pattern you want.
4. Use #11 blade to cut out pattern.
5. Carefully remove wax paper.
6. You now have a stencil that can be used multiple times if your
carefull.

What you've really done is made your own frisket paper.

Regards,
Roby

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

My method is similar to Roby's, but I use shelve paper. I use Roby's method except instead of removing all the paper backing, I carefully cut the backing about 1/4 inch away from the stencil outline. This is the area that I stick to the surface I'm going to paint. If you remove all the backing, the shelf paper is almost impossible to remove; too much surface area is stuck to the airplane surface. Be sure to seal the outline with a light coating of the base color to prevent paint from seeping under the shelf paper.

Paul

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

But as far as what parts to paint first would you start (with a white wing) and put the N5K positive area stencil on the wing first, tape off the sunburst pattern and paint the red sunbursts (then remove all the tape). Then I am thinking I should take the negative outline of the N5K stencil and put it in place where it will be painted and tape off the white sunburst pattern only where the leters are. Then of course the rest of the wing will just be masked off so nothing else gets painted. I am thinking If I mask all that off it should just reveal the "to be painted red portions" of the letters in the white sunburst area. So then I would paint those areas red and peel off all the tape again and it should be done.

If you can understand what Im trying to say above, is that what you would do?

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

Your method will work, but it's going to be a little tedious. I would paint the sunburst without any numbers. Then lay out the numbers as one stencil. Then tape and mask the stencil to paint the two colors one at a time using the previously painted sunburst as your guide. In other words, lay the stencil down. Tape and mask the red portion and paint the white. Then tape and mask the white and paint the red. Then remove the entire stencil. Be sure you let the wing cure completely before putting the stencil down. Don't want to pull up the sunburst with the stencil. I use a heat gun on low setting to loosen the glue on the stencil and pull very slowly.

Paul

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

ya, thats what im looking for, whats the best method to paint this number over a starburst pattern. Your method sounds alot easier than mine, like I said I could eventually get it to look the way it should but i know someone else would have a more defined and simpler way to do it.

Thanks, David

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

Sorry David. I am not trying to hijack your thread, but it sounds like you may have the experiance to answer my question about paint.
I just built a Super Aeromaster and it has a turtle back, both upper and lower aft fuselage. In the past I have covered with Koverall and minwax polycrylic and painted. But it has always been solid fuselage's. When I have covered and painted open bay wings I have had some prblems during the sanding phase.
Would you recommend using the koverall and minwax overthe turtle back and just being careful as H%$? Or do you have another method for open areas? Sorry again.
BTW...I got the local sign shop to make me a sheet of stars to stick to my paint. They used scrap vynil and gave it to me for free. Of course, I know the guys very well so that always helps. The point is, masking and painting that many stars would have been an unreal task.
Even tho paint looks better blended in at the seams, I think an N number in vynil would look fine.

Ijust read the thread again and it seems as if Imissed the boat. Isee you all allready had the vynil idea.

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

For sanding the open bay areas try using a "yellow" Scotch brite pad
available from Home Depot.


Regards,
Roby

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

Painting white over red may not work well. In dope the white won't cover well.

I saw a full scale guy do it this way.

1) Paint it white

2) get a sign shop to make a stencel that has both positive and negative images (just cut out the letters)

3) put the stencel on the wing and layout the starburst patern.

4) cut the stencel where the starburst patern intersects and peel off all of the stencel that needs to be painted red.

5) Mask off the rest of the white starburst.

6) Shoot the red..... DONE

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

David,

Check out the latest issue of MA.

Regards,
Roby

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

The June or July issue?

I dont have either one in front of me right now (in my apartment at college), they are all at my home. Does it have a good article about painting techniques?

David

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

I just got mine last night so I'll presume it's June. I'll look tonight
and even get a page number for you.

This issue talks about stencils and painting markings.


Regards,
Roby

RE: need suggestion for best method to paint a pattern on a wing
 

Can't find it in MA. I must have come across it in someother
publication. I see if I can find it.


Sorry about that ,
Roby