Estes Plasma Probe Build Part 18 Orange Paint

The instructions recommend Testors Fiery Orange, # 1831M.
While the Testors spray paint is great, I have trouble paying $8.00 for a small can of spray paint.

I checked my older can of Real Orange Rustoleum 2X next to the orange on the decal sheet. It looks like the same color to me and this big can is half the price!
Decision made.

Be sure to hit the back trailing edges and back of the model.
This is to be sure there is color in all the nooks. Usually you see the areas missed when you are outdoors at a launch. After the decals are applied, it's hard to go back and touch things up.




After two lighter coats I did some wet sanding.

The inset picture shows the fin after wet sanding. In person, it's not really that glossy. The wet sanded fins are duller.
You don't have to totally sand to surface when wet sanding, take off the tops of the "pebbled" surface. A little of the gloss will be beneath that.


Here's the lower body after the tape was removed.

Many builders use the expensive hobby masking tapes.
Enlarge the picture and you can see the clean mask you can get with Scotch tape.
Again - don't expect clean mask lines if the surface under the tape isn't smooth. The Scotch tape (or any tape) has to have a smooth surface to adhere to or you will get paint under the edge.