disaster when painting apache

tansed · 24-09-2008

Hi all again i started to paint my apache im using humbrol olive drab and i dont know what im doing wrong because im using humbrol thinners also when im spraying first it looks fine but when it dries in it looks really patchy and lighter areas in places i never really had this problem before i dont know if its my airbrush or not its only a badger 250 so it could be a number of things but if anyone has ever had the same problem any advice would be great because i was nearly throwing it out earlier :-(

**GEEDUBBYA** · 25-09-2008

Howdy David,

I am not sure, but you might have mold release residue left on the plastic parts. As i am sure you know, when the model is injection molded, the manufacturer has to use something to keep the model from "sticking" in the mold. Sometimes this release agent remains on the plastic parts and it can give you a really big headache when painting.
Most peoples first thought is to add more paint to cover up the "spotty" areas.....this rarely ever works because the release agent is an oil and disperses the paint away from the tainted area.
There are a few ways to fix this, the first being always remember to wash each plastic part prior to assembly...short of that and if you have already assembled the model such as in your case (and begun painting), you might allow the paint you have on the model already to dry, then very gently wash the affected areas with a warm soapy solution (mild detergent) using a paper towel or lint free cloth, then wiping it down with a warm wet rag (no soap). Allow the model to dry and try "misting on" paint to cover the cleaned areas.
Sometimes rubbing alcohol will also clean the area and leaves no soapy residue. Soapy residue can be as bad as mold release residue when it comes to painting.
This may not be your problem, but it was the first thing to come to my mind when i read your post.

have a good day and i hope this helps,

Greg aka GEEDUBBYA (GW)

tansed · 25-09-2008

Thanks greg for the advice yea its not fully asembled and i soaked all the parts together in soapy water i left for about an hour and rinsed all the soap off i added some pictures i just took maybe you will see better what is wrong im thinking thinner and now you added a few to the list it is baffling because the kit was 35 euro not to bad but ill have to buy another one i think anyway have a look at the pictures and see what you think thanks again

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEEDUBBYA

Howdy David,
I am not sure, but you might have mold release residue left on the plastic parts. As i am sure you know, when the model is injection molded, the manufacturer has to use something to keep the model from "sticking" in the mold. Sometimes this release agent remains on the plastic parts and it can give you a really big headache when painting.
Most peoples first thought is to add more paint to cover up the "spotty" areas.....this rarely ever works because the release agent is an oil and disperses the paint away from the tainted area.
There are a few ways to fix this, the first being always remember to wash each plastic part prior to assembly...short of that and if you have already assembled the model such as in your case (and begun painting), you might allow the paint you have on the model already to dry, then very gently wash the affected areas with a warm soapy solution (mild detergent) using a paper towel or lint free cloth, then wiping it down with a warm wet rag (no soap). Allow the model to dry and try "misting on" paint to cover the cleaned areas.
Sometimes rubbing alcohol will also clean the area and leaves no soapy residue. Soapy residue can be as bad as mold release residue when it comes to painting.
This may not be your problem, but it was the first thing to come to my mind when i read your post.

have a good day and i hope this helps,

Greg aka GEEDUBBYA (GW)

wufer · 26-09-2008

This was sprayed with humbrol olive drab No 155 and humbrol thinners this afternoon.
I have just rubed it down with a kitchen paper towel.
The reason?.
From experience, military vehicles and heli's are seldom completely mat.
Thay have a slight sheen from cleaning and general wear and tare.
Close up, my heli looks to have too much of a sheen, but flying around the room, it looks just right.

Derek.
ps. it needs finishing off , but i'll do that later.

tansed · 27-09-2008

thanks for the picture wufer, yea its a strange one as it has not happened to me before and low and behold it would be the kit i really really wanted to doill probaly get a new airbrush durin the week i think mine is on its last legs and ill proabaly wash all the parts again and try my luck again painting it if nothing ill have to purchase another.

p.s your model looks great :-)

alan2525 · 27-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by tansed

thanks for the picture wufer, yea its a strange one as it has not happened to me before and low and behold it would be the kit i really really wanted to doill probaly get a new airbrush durin the week i think mine is on its last legs and ill proabaly wash all the parts again and try my luck again painting it if nothing ill have to purchase another.

p.s your model looks great :-)

With military helicopters, there's normally a lot of oil staining and the paint does get quite blotchy, plus there's fading and weathering too whilst being on duty. I wouldn't worry too much if the paint is a little uneven. Being painted in a matt colour the oil smears stain the paint a bit too.