ajg141

Great to see the progress - looking terrific. I just wish my first paint coats had gone on as well as yours. I'm afraid mine hasn't emerged from under its covers for months and nor have any of my other subs. Frustrating really but until the pending cataract op is done I'd probably be 0 steps forward and 10 back!

Andrew

Screw Loose

I think under closer inspection there are a few blemishes on it. There were a few parts where it looked as if there was grease or something on the surface. Which was odd as I washed it all down prior to painting. Just rubbed the dodgy paint off with wet and dry, but dont want to put too many coats on due tothe paint filling up the tiles and detailing on the hull.

In any case anything on here is not a big deal compared to your operation. I hope it goes well, and just think of the benefit of it afterwards !

Regards

Paul

Screw Loose

Its at times like this I wonder why I get into these stupid projects to begin with!

You would think that painting the stupid thing would be the easy bit wouldnt you. Well after 2 days of applying paint, watching it bubble, watching it orange peel and generally do things I wish it wouldnt I have given up for the night.

I am using an Enamel paint, the room is at "Room Temperature", I have cleaned the surface, roughed it with wet and dry and then cleaned it and still its not sticking in places. I wish I had used a different kind of paint or got that air brush to work, but I am too far down the road now to change it.

Its mostly done, the only problem I am having is around the chin. Where the 2 different shades meet. I have rubbed off the dodgy paint, and am going to buy a small pot of a different enamel, and just brush it on. Just on the affected areas. If its a slightly different shade I am hoping it wont be too much of an issue as I will weather it and hopefully blend it in a bit.



I also have ordered some gratings and running lights as I said previous. So hopefully they should arrive this week.

Paul

p.s
If anyone has any words of wisdom about paints or painting etc, I would love to hear. I am NO expert when it comes to painting !Thanks

Mankster

I am no expert either, which is why I stick with acrylics

ajg141

I had exactly the same problems using acrylics and that was despite what I believed was careful washing and drying. More work will be required when I can get back to it. We are due to have a Club workshop tuition night shortly (3-4 weeks) by an expert on airbrush techniques and I intend having a good chat with him about why the paint does not always 'stick'. I will pass on any advice in due course.

Andrew

Desert Rat Racer

Man are U sure that's not one of those mini subs they found here in Sydney, Oz. Boy I don't envy U doing all those holes but I sure wish it was mine, keep us informed with pics of the build though.

Screw Loose

Thanks Andrew that would be a great help. As I said when it comes to painting I havnt got a clue I have the air-brush etc, just dont seem to be able to make it work effectivley.

Acrylics, are those ( Showing my ignorance here ) Tamiya type paints. I have always used Enamels, and up till now I havnt had too many problems. But this one has me beat.

Mankster, what type of acrylics do you use? If they are better to use I will use them on my next project. HMS Amethyst, which is looking decidley sad here

Thanks

Paul

Screw Loose

Thanks Desert The holes in the hull were a pain, but not as bad as some other subs. A lot of the WW2 boats have hundreds on there decks alone and Mankster (above) has enven more than me on his Typhoon !

It does take a volunteer or 2 to get it in and out the water

subzero

Paul.

Doesn't look too bad from this end of the box

I use Tamiya acrylics too with no probs , just thin them with tamiya thinners.

be wary of using enamel and acrylic together, I believe 1 will go over the other but not the other way around I have seen some nasty chemical reactions between them.

Think you may have some of the release agent still in the hull, sometimes you get a bleed through if its not been laid just right.

Did you use a good undercoat first ??

Always a good idea, shows you the high / low spots and can help seal the fibreglass and will highlight any probs prior to finishing.

Not an expert but just don't appear to have probs with paint etc

Best regards Sub.

Mankster

Yep, acrylics will go over dryed enamel but not the otherway around. The solvent in enamel paints will attack arcylics. I find Acrylics dry faster, so less likely to run when I over spray. Cleans up with water and any overspray can usually be tidyed up with a damp rag before it dries. For my Typhoon I used Halfords plastic primer and halfords acrylic paint out of a spray can. i use Tamiya acrylics out of an air gun for the details. Finished with a Matte clear coat out of a can.