Quest/Enerjet Big Dog, #Q5010, Build Part 4, Red Paint, Re-Paint & Stickers

The nose cone color could be a problem.

The instructions say to paint the nose cone red - but the sticker placed underneath isn't a true red.

Setting the big wrap sticker over white paint gives a lighter shade of red that doesn't quite match the paint on the nose cone.

Normally I'm lucky and can find a color that matches the stickers. The picture on the right shows a bright Rusto 2X Apple Red. This color turned out much darker than the red ink in the sticker. 

I ended up spraying the nose cone with a lighter shade of red, Rusto Poppy Seed. This was a satin finish that needed a gloss clear coat to shine it up.

This Poppy Seed Red was still darker than the sticker, but closer. 

I tried four different reds and the Poppy Seed red was the lightest.

After refilling some small grain lines in the fins, I had to do a re-shoot of the gloss white.

Instead of painting the entire body tube (it's a tall model) I find it easier to mask off the body tube and just spray the fins.

PLAN AHEAD before setting down the large wrap sticker.

The name should center between two fins on the opposite side of the launch lug.

Notice the masking tape wrap with the centerline marked in pencil. The wrap of tape helps me set the wrap base on straight.

I had to start this at the centerline of the BIG DOG name and work back to the launch lug side.

 

Wet the upper body tube with a finger where the sticker will go.

Remove the sticker from the backing and dip it entirely into a shallow bowl of water.

Shake off some of the excess water.

Use the water dip ONLY on plastic stickers.

Start the wrap at the center pencil line on the tape wrap.

Smooth out and remove excess water as you go.

Use the masking tape line as a guide for the low edge of the sticker.

With any luck - 

The right and left sides will meet in the back with about 1/8" overlap.