Glassing and Painting techniques

[Billy J]

D

Beautiful Bear Cat!!!

Question.....When doing different colors on base coats (with a hard line), do you do any sanding to smooth the paint edge before clear coating?

DCB 500 no sanding needed. M not that anal yet

 

[Jetpainter]

Just thought I'd share a little helpful tip. Anyone that has either glassed an airplane, or painted fiberglass parts has run into the dreaded pinhole. For years now at work I've been using a very simple technique for finding them.

Take a bright beam style flashlight and shine it across the surface of your "unsanded" primer at a shallow angle. The light will make the pinholes stick out like a sore thumb. I like to circle them in pencil "very" lightly so I can hit them with a little filler and no more pinhole.

The second photo is a close-up shot of a group of them that shows you how well the light makes them show up. They look massive in the photo, but in reality other than the one to the left they were very tiny. Using this method you can usually kill them all in one shot and not keep finding them as you go.

The flashlight I was using was not the best, but it was good enough for the picture. The one I usually use is WAY brighter.

 

[Snoopy1]

Great Jetpainter you showed all of us how to find how bad our paint jobs are, now we all have add at least 4 weeks of work to complete our plains.
Just kidding like the helpful tip. Thanks.

 

[Red Raider]

You guys are the best at sharing techniques. I've been away for a long time and don't know how many threads this info may be on. But, I wanted to tell you about my experience so far with Wingswestrc.com. I've watched all their videos and the info they share is amazing and makes a lot sense. I called them today and told them about an issue I was having with a paint that I had used. Not only did they talk me through some of the chemistry, but are sending me a free sample of their paint to try before selling me anything. Kevin Gribben is very knowledgeable about paint and willing to help. Give them a look.
Red Raider

 

[stangflyer]

You guys are the best at sharing techniques. I've been away for a long time and don't know how many threads this info may be on. But, I wanted to tell you about my experience so far with Wingswestrc.com. I've watched all their videos and the info they share is amazing and makes a lot sense. I called them today and told them about an issue I was having with a paint that I had used. Not only did they talk me through some of the chemistry, but are sending me a free sample of their paint to try before selling me anything. Kevin Gribben is very knowledgeable about paint and willing to help. Give them a look.
Red Raider

I am very happy you were finally able to talk to Kevin. He and Richard are just about the greatest guys. You can't imagine how many phone calls I put into Richard regarding my Pitts paint issues. I ended up spending right at about $150.00 for all the paint for the Pitts. This was including the clear coat. But I will say this again. A little spendy, but well worth it. The Pitts has been painted for just about a year now and the paint still looks as fresh and perfect as the day I shot it. When it comes to matching the paint with covering, there is no one in the business that can do it better. In my opinion. That being said, I have emailed Tony at Pilot R/C requesting a new replacement unpainted "SPLIT" cowl for the 40% 330SC. I will be looking to Wingswestrc for paint when it comes time to shoot the plane. Thanks for your update. It is great to hear positive news.

 

[Snoopy1]

I have had dealings with them, very knowledgeable bunch. But let’s just say adding $150 to a cowl is expensive. There colour matches are excellent and there clear work great. The only thing that I have to say is the white I received from them in a spray can was not useable just to thick to spray. Managed to work around it but got it done. I belive if I had to do it again I would buy it in bottles and spray it my self from a small spray gun if that is possible.

 

[AKNick]

Just spent the evening reading through the last 38 pages/376posts of this thread. Very informative and educational! I was about the start a new thread until I found this gem. Sounds like I am going to invest in some West System supplies after reading this, and a few other things. I've got some float kits in the mail, along with some glass and carbon... should be fun!!