Help! painting dtfb
- Thread starter mackaiver
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Matagami Designs
Master member
Polyurethane minwax will be your friend. After your build coat it with this stuff and wipe away wait a day and then paint wont lift the paper. I believe @BATTLEAXE has a video. Just be sure your done because after you use this stuff hotglue dosent wanna stick as well. Also dont use the water base minwax
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Flyingshark
Master member
I think FT did a video and an article on minwax too.
https://www.flitetest.com/articles/minwax-on-your-plane
Well...there is a LOT to cover with this.
1) What type of paint are you using? Some paints don't adhere well or can ruin the foamboard. Spray paint propellant can sometimes eat away at the core of the foam, causing it to fall apart and ruin a plane; brushing on acrylics too heavily can also have an adverse effect, causing the foamboard to warp.
2) Are you using the water resistant foamboard, or some plain white foamboard you bought at the local Dollar Tree?
If you are using the brown, water-resistant foamboard, you'll want to scuff it lightly with something like a piece of steel wool, fine grain sandpaper, or even a scrubbing sponge, so that the paint will adhere.
If you're using plain white foamboard, I recommend using a very thin layer of polyurethane to seal the plane before painting it - this will help prevent the foamboard from being eaten away. Lots of people have suggested Minwax polyurethane, which works great; I personally have been having a hard time finding the non-water based version here in San Diego, at least in something smaller than a gallon size bucket. My local Home Depot has Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane, in a half pint container, which was more than enough to cover my Master Series P-38, and I still have half the container which I plan to use on my P-51 Master Series before painting. It comes in a can like this, for about $7-8, I think, maybe less?
And yes, you are adding weight when you apply paint and Minwax on a plane, truthfully, it's adding only a few grams of weight, and it's never been an issue for my planes. If it's increasing a plane by 200-300g, you're applying the polyurethane and paint WAY too thick. You want to apply it SPARINGLY, and VERY lightly.
1) What type of paint are you using? Some paints don't adhere well or can ruin the foamboard. Spray paint propellant can sometimes eat away at the core of the foam, causing it to fall apart and ruin a plane; brushing on acrylics too heavily can also have an adverse effect, causing the foamboard to warp.
2) Are you using the water resistant foamboard, or some plain white foamboard you bought at the local Dollar Tree?
If you are using the brown, water-resistant foamboard, you'll want to scuff it lightly with something like a piece of steel wool, fine grain sandpaper, or even a scrubbing sponge, so that the paint will adhere.
If you're using plain white foamboard, I recommend using a very thin layer of polyurethane to seal the plane before painting it - this will help prevent the foamboard from being eaten away. Lots of people have suggested Minwax polyurethane, which works great; I personally have been having a hard time finding the non-water based version here in San Diego, at least in something smaller than a gallon size bucket. My local Home Depot has Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane, in a half pint container, which was more than enough to cover my Master Series P-38, and I still have half the container which I plan to use on my P-51 Master Series before painting. It comes in a can like this, for about $7-8, I think, maybe less?
And yes, you are adding weight when you apply paint and Minwax on a plane, truthfully, it's adding only a few grams of weight, and it's never been an issue for my planes. If it's increasing a plane by 200-300g, you're applying the polyurethane and paint WAY too thick. You want to apply it SPARINGLY, and VERY lightly.
Any brand of polyurethane will work. Be sure to use the oil based poly, don't use the water based stuff. The water based will lift the paper, just like water based paint.
My self, I don't paint. I cover my entire plane with colored packing tape. It's fast, easy, cheap, light weight, water resistant, adds a bit of strength & looks pretty good. I get the tape from Tape Planet - Colored Carton Sealing Tape OR Hobby King - Wing Tape, both have a good selection of colors.
My self, I don't paint. I cover my entire plane with colored packing tape. It's fast, easy, cheap, light weight, water resistant, adds a bit of strength & looks pretty good. I get the tape from Tape Planet - Colored Carton Sealing Tape OR Hobby King - Wing Tape, both have a good selection of colors.
Tape looks good, but it is a PAIN to get it aligned perfectly. It took me multiple hours to get the tape all applied when my dad and I did a Simple Cub, enough to where I said, "I'll do the polyurethane and paint from here on out!"
Each method has its pluses and minuses; besides, for me, I like painting. One of the guys at the field keeps trying to get me to paint nose art on his planes, because he's seen my skill at painting rocks:
slowjo
Master member
UR art rocks
Monte.C
...
Hey you've got skills! Best rocks I've seen all day! Almost the best ones all week.
Serious skills.
Mine's different. Can't handle people...
Hey you've got skills! Best rocks I've seen all day! Almost the best ones all week.
Serious skills.
Mine's different. Can't handle people...
View attachment 192151
You and me both. The Stranger Things rock I did, the kids look like blobs.
the imagination fills in a lot, though...
Phin G
Elite member
Wow so so so good. I wish i could draw like you but i am colour blind and drew a brown Santa and a red reindeer
this is a piece that i drew in my art lesson yesterdayAttachments
slowjo
Master member
I love black n white art, as Im also colorblind, that way were all seeing the sameWow so so so good. I wish i could draw like you but i am colour blind and drew a brown Santa and a red reindeer
Phin G
Elite member
Ah awesome it runs in my family as my dad and brother are both colourblind. My brother has got strong deutan so have i. My dad is the only one with mild deutan.I love black n white art, as Im also colorblind, that way were all seeing the same
Monte.C
...
Wow so so so good. I wish i could draw like you but i am colour blind and drew a brown Santa and a red reindeer
Yeah I wanted to say something like that too.I love black n white art, as Im also colorblind, that way were all seeing the same
When I was studying about watercolor a few of the most intriguing works I found were monochromatic. Often done all in one sandy brown color from nearly white to as dark as can be. Or blues. Whatever. I like to do a blackline drawing and splash color on it. If you've got an artistic side there sure are ways you can work around the color issue.
mastermalpass
Elite member
I've used 'Plastikote' Spray paint for pretty much all my planes. Watch the coat thickness with each spray as some of them do melt your foam - depends on the colour. It went onto a Speedbuild FT Cruzer pretty well too, so I know it's fine with paper-covered foamboard.
Recently I've spot-painted the repair jobbies on my Dynam Hurricane with acrylic paint, simply brushed on. I needed to mix paints to get the right colour, with is something you're not gonna do with Plastikote spray paints. It's gone on pretty well, having a slightly satin finish and not being too bad for brush strokes either!
Recently I've spot-painted the repair jobbies on my Dynam Hurricane with acrylic paint, simply brushed on. I needed to mix paints to get the right colour, with is something you're not gonna do with Plastikote spray paints. It's gone on pretty well, having a slightly satin finish and not being too bad for brush strokes either!
TheFlyingBrit
Legendary member
I paint with acrylic then varnish after and never have a problem with adhesion. I use a water based satin polyeurothane too, it doesn't lift my paper and makes washing the brush easier afterwards.
I have used oil based gloss version on some models, to give it a high luster finish.
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