This is a large model, hard to get even coverage using a spray can. Spray it in sections.
Here's the 4" diameter lower body. Look to the low end cutouts. There is masking tape, sticky side out, to keep paint out of the engine mount area. There is also tape inside the open top end of the tube.
Normally I'd use a painting wand (a dowel with an engine casing glued on) to paint, but this model is too large for that.
My free hand can go inside the tube on either side to hold the body while spraying.
TIP: Place a plastic grocery bag over your free hand to keep off the paint.
Also - Decals stick better on a smooth, glossy surface. Decals will "silver" on flat paint. The clear coat border (over all decals) will be seen. You can always spray a flat clear coat after the model has decals and is finished.
To the left: The shoulder of the Command Module was masked off. A piece of rolled card stock gave me something to hold on to.
Notice the escape motor tube was already seam filled, primed and sanded.
TIP: Allow more time before re-coating the white on the 3rd stage wrap. Sprayed on the flat plastic, the paint can't breathe and dry like paint would on a Kraft body tube - from the outside and inside.
I thought I gave it enough time but had three small areas wrinkle up! This slowed down the build as it had to be sanded, sprayed with filler/primer, sanded and sprayed again with the white.
Spray some white, let dry and sand down any glue boogers or rough areas. Spray more white.
On the left is the final (gloss) white before the time consuming black masks.
Assembly time so far:
21:00 minutes previous
2:30 minutes this post
23:30 Total so far
Hi. Great build. I am wondering what type of paint was used so you don't melt the plastic.
ReplyDeleteHi Unknown,
DeleteIt's just spray enamel from Home Depot. Be careful, the Rusto 2X gloss white paint can spray rough like cottage cheese.
Keep some of the scrap vacu-form plastic and test your paint on that first before spraying the model.