Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > Work Bench > Projects
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-23-2020, 11:59 AM
Blastfromthepast Blastfromthepast is offline
'nother Old Fart BAR....
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Castle Rock, Colorado
Posts: 381
Default Brush Painting A New Model

I haven't done this since 1976, when my 'old-fleet' Estes A20 Demon was brush painted with butyrate dope.

Currently on the workbench is a newly-built clone EAC Viper. It's been sitting around in primer for quite some time awaiting a painting day when the weather isn't so crappy.

With the onset of being stuck at home indoors now, I made the decision that I would try my hand at brush painting the bird.

So far, I have completed the booster rocket white base color and the purple nose.

This week, I have moved on to masking and applying the fin paint patterns.

Surprisingly, the brushed-on finish is turning out much better than anticipated.

In the near future, I will be writing up blog posts (linked below) describing whatever insights and pitfalls I have encountered with brush painting a model rocket.

Cheers!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  viper.PNG
Views: 104
Size:  1.24 MB  
__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF !

Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here:
https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-23-2020, 02:14 PM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blastfromthepast
I haven't done this since 1976, when my 'old-fleet' Estes A20 Demon was brush painted with butyrate dope.

Currently on the workbench is a newly-built clone EAC Viper. It's been sitting around in primer for quite some time awaiting a painting day when the weather isn't so crappy.

With the onset of being stuck at home indoors now, I made the decision that I would try my hand at brush painting the bird.

So far, I have completed the booster rocket white base color and the purple nose.

This week, I have moved on to masking and applying the fin paint patterns.

Surprisingly, the brushed-on finish is turning out much better than anticipated.

In the near future, I will be writing up blog posts (linked below) describing whatever insights and pitfalls I have encountered with brush painting a model rocket.

Cheers!


That’s really neat, I brush painted an Estes V2, a Screamer and a Goblin in the 70s that turned out Ok, then I discovered a can of Floresent yellow spray paint and painted my Nike -X and the basement floor with it. My dad was not happy!! He banished me to paint in the garage after that.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-23-2020, 02:22 PM
L3Excalibur L3Excalibur is offline
Old Fart Rocketeer
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 142
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blastfromthepast
With the onset of being stuck at home indoors now, I made the decision that I would try my hand at brush painting the bird.
So far, I have completed the booster rocket white base color and the purple nose.
This week, I have moved on to masking and applying the fin paint patterns.
Surprisingly, the brushed-on finish is turning out much better than anticipated.


Nice looking paint on the nose cone.

What brand / type paint are you using? Any particular type of paint brush (and kind of bristles)? Are you thinning the paint? With what?

Thanks ...
__________________
Buzz McD.

Avid rocketeer since 1967.
NAR 13559 / L2
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-23-2020, 05:02 PM
ghrocketman's Avatar
ghrocketman ghrocketman is offline
President, MAYHEM AGITATORS, Inc.
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Nunya Bizznuss, Michigan
Posts: 13,443
Default

I have brush-painted several fins, cones, and transitions with thinned dope.
The key is using thin MANY coats with a wide (at least 3/8") flat brush.
Never tried to do tubes.
__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL
, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !

Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-24-2020, 09:39 AM
Blastfromthepast Blastfromthepast is offline
'nother Old Fart BAR....
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Castle Rock, Colorado
Posts: 381
Default

The paints I am using are gloss enamel and acrylic craft paints from Hobby Lobby and Walmart.
These are water based.
I thin them down with water at least 50/50.
I use quality sable artist brushes. Totally steer clear of any brushes from the craft or dollar stores where you get ten in a pack. These shed hairs like crazy and are of inferior quality in terms of paint application.

Here are a few brushing tips:

1. Light coats, just like spray painting. This Viper model typically took six such coats on each color.
2. Don't load up the brush with paint. Just get enough on the tip to apply to the area being worked on. This is where a small paint tray or shallow cup is useful, so that paint amounts can be easily controlled.
3. Use very light strokes. This technique helps to minimize brush lines.
4. Use even lighter 'feather' strokes to blend new paint with previously painted areas.
5. If, by chance, a hair comes off the brush, or a dust mote ends up in the painted area, work it to the edge of the surface to remove it. Wipe the brush off to remove the offending intruder, pick up more paint and smooth out the surface area again. Do not leave any such material in the paint job. Once things dry, dust and hairs are nearly impossible to remove without damaging the painted surface.
6. Allow the paint to dry completely between coats. These water based paints dry to the touch fairly quickly. If you attempt to apply another coat before the previous one is completely dry, you stand a chance of removing areas of the earlier coat.
7. Don't rush the process! Allow plenty of time to complete each coat. Clean your brush under running water between each coat.

Brush painting is not for everyone - it requires a substantially longer amount of time than spraying. Patience is key. A rushed brush job will not end well.

It also takes a bit of practice to get a good feel for smooth application techniques. It's a good idea to practice on a scrap body tube before attempting an actual model.

Hope this helps!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  aaa.PNG
Views: 41
Size:  1.35 MB  
__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF !

Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here:
https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-24-2020, 09:53 AM
Blastfromthepast Blastfromthepast is offline
'nother Old Fart BAR....
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Castle Rock, Colorado
Posts: 381
Default

Another quick note:

To get close to the proper light orange color of the EAC Viper fins , I mixed equal parts of the orange and yellow paints shown in the photo in the previous post.

One more thing - that painting cradle made out of LEGO is an excellent tool!
__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF !

Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here:
https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-24-2020, 10:04 AM
L3Excalibur L3Excalibur is offline
Old Fart Rocketeer
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 142
Default

Good information. Thanks!
__________________
Buzz McD.

Avid rocketeer since 1967.
NAR 13559 / L2
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:00 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024