Putting together an RC Painting FAQ

[1stGenCRXer]

Hi everybody,

A number of people on this board have seen my paint work, and while I appreciate the enthusiasm that comes with seeing a cool shell, in an effort to keep my PM box from exploding every time new pictures are posted, I'm going to add a FAQ for RC painting to my website as a reference for all the DIYer's out there.

I will cover acceptable paints, body prep, body trimming, mounting tips, as well as some painting techniques. With pictures and possibly some video, if the conditions warrant.

What I need from all of YOU, is to post up questions you have related to painting bodies.

If your question needs an immediate answer, post it along with a link to a thread on this forum to your topic, and I will answer.

All other questions will be added for consideration in my FAQ.

Thanks in advance,
Harry, 1st Gen Paint and Graphics

[ksb51rl]

Thanks for taking the time, Harry.

[1stGenCRXer]

Nobody has anything they want to see answered in a painting FAQ?

[AbSoLooT1]

I havent seen ur work myself. Im on the Pede and Rusty forums. How many bodies u done? ya use air brush or rattle cans? I just picked up a Compressor, and what do u recommend airbrush wise? I heard ya dont need a too expensive of set for just doing Lexan bodies.

So in short, if ur airbrushin... Can ya give a break down?

[1stGenCRXer]

Yes, I plan to do an airbrush prep in the FAQ as well. Airbrushing is like many other hobbies, it can be as cheap, or expensive, as you're willing to go.

If you'd like a link to my online gallery, PM me for the link.

[1979chevy.]

What is your favorite method for trimming bodies? Do you use the 'reaming' technique?

Thank you.

[harry697]

Hey Harry, good to see you back around here! I didn't even realize that you painted. Or maybe I did and forgot over the years. It's cool that you're offering to share your knowledge on the subject.

I just checked your site and you do some nice work! I paint my own as long as they don't go beyond straight tape lines or color fades. Anything that requires any sort of artistic ability is over my head and gets dropped off to my local professional.

One question.: Do you have any idea why I'm getting alerts from Norton Security about blocking attacks when I click on the thumbnails on your site? I got to view one or two in full size, but most go to a blank screen and I keep getting the Norton pop-up. Thanks.


Good luck with everything and keep up the good work!

[1stGenCRXer]

What is your favorite method for trimming bodies? Do you use the 'reaming' technique?

Thank you.

I'm not sure what the "reaming" technique is. Lately I score the lower trim line of a body with an Xacto blade and snap off the excess lexan. On truck bodies that have fairly square fender arches, I use the same technique, for on-road bodies, I use a circle cutter to score the fender arch. My Lexan scissors get used for trimming areas that are rubbing somewhere undesirable at the track, and for rounding the lower edge to the fender arch area when using a circle cutter. All these things will also be included in the FAQ.

Hey Harry, good to see you back around here! I didn't even realize that you painted. Or maybe I did and forgot over the years. It's cool that you're offering to share your knowledge on the subject.

I just checked your site and you do some nice work! I paint my own as long as they don't go beyond straight tape lines or color fades. Anything that requires any sort of artistic ability is over my head and gets dropped off to my local professional.

Thanks, I've been airbrushing about 5 years now, and have been painting for others for about 3.

One question.: Do you have any idea why I'm getting alerts from Norton Security about blocking attacks when I click on the thumbnails on your site? I got to view one or two in full size, but most go to a blank screen and I keep getting the Norton pop-up. Thanks.


Good luck with everything and keep up the good work!

My site was subjected to malware a few months ago, and took quite a while to clean up. I now check my site using Google's webmaster tools weekly, to make sure I'm running a safe site. Norton seems to lag behind every other malware notification I've run into so far, not sure why. If you're getting a malware warning directly from your browser, and this goes for anyone, please let me know so I can check further into it. If you're getting a warning from your virus scanner, chances are they don't update as quickly, or the "time from last malware flag" in their program is set for a long period.

As much as I strive to keep a clean site, DO NOT turn off your virus scanner on my site to view anything, just in case

Thanks.

[AbSoLooT1]

Yes, I plan to do an airbrush prep in the FAQ as well. Airbrushing is like many other hobbies, it can be as cheap, or expensive, as you're willing to go.

If you'd like a link to my online gallery, PM me for the link.

Werent ya lookin for questions to answer? I know that much, Very well actually. Thats common knowledge. Ya get what ya pay for. Like anything else. I have painted for 10 years, so I have a big painters mentality. I ask cuz Im just branchin into airbrushing, so my question then If I rephrase, is what do "you" use

We arent doin 10 grand paint chops on gas tanks and fenders. So im wondering what is the "minimum" quality of airbrushing set one would want to pic up for doin Lexan bodies.

[ksb51rl]

AbS, let him get the FAQ done. The REASON for an FAQ is to answer common questions. Submit some, and they may find their way into the document.

[1stGenCRXer]

Werent ya lookin for questions to answer? I know that much, Very well actually. Thats common knowledge. Ya get what ya pay for. Like anything else. I have painted for 10 years, so I have a big painters mentality. I ask cuz Im just branchin into airbrushing, so my question then If I rephrase, is what do "you" use

We arent doin 10 grand paint chops on gas tanks and fenders. So im wondering what is the "minimum" quality of airbrushing set one would want to pic up for doin Lexan bodies.

The minimum quality is anything that says "airbrush" on the package. I've seen decent results from $10 Harbor Freight Airbrushes.

Personally, I use a Paasche VL for broad coverage, an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS for detail and shading, and will probably pick up a Micron Series Iwata soon to push detail even harder.

And you're right, we're not doing 10 grand paint jobs for motorcycles, we're, or rather, I'm, doing $100-200+ paint jobs on a $25 plastic canvas. In reverse.

As ksb says, I started this thread to make sure I'm covering Frequently Asked Questions. I have quite a bit of work ahead of me, as I feel my outline list is very detailed.

[Subaru]

any tips for air brushing? what paint, psi, paint mix ratio etc. i was looking to get into air brushing mainly because i think i can paint 2 bodys for the same $$$$ vs 1 body with a rattle can. it was just a though but looking to get more info so thanks for the thread

[ksb51rl]

Pretty sure that will be covered, member #400.

[1stGenCRXer]

I'll cover as much as I can, but paint types, as well as paint brands, along with the type of airbrush used, changes the "ideal" settings. Sometimes I have to adjust air pressure as much as 20psi when changing colors.

I'll do my best to cover "what if" situations to help guys know what changes to try for the best airbrush results for your paints.

The initial investment on airbrushing [airbrush, paints, compressor, hoses, tips/needles] can be pretty pricey, but with the right care, it will last you a long time, and I feel it is more economical with your paint as well.

[Nitronaught]

Masking techniques? Which technique is best for what type of work?

Backing, when to use what color of backing for what type of paint job?

How can I make my paint job last as long as possible?


Just soe ?'s and topics I always am hearing about.

[genXrated]

When airbrushing, do you switch tip sizes or stick with just one? Also, do you use a dual action brush?

[1stGenCRXer]

Masking techniques? Which technique is best for what type of work?

Backing, when to use what color of backing for what type of paint job?

How can I make my paint job last as long as possible?


Just soe ?'s and topics I always am hearing about.

Thanks, there's a couple questions in there I hadn't thought about focusing on, but will now

When airbrushing, do you switch tip sizes or stick with just one? Also, do you use a dual action brush?

Always dual action, and will be my main focus when I do the airbrush portion of the FAQ, it's just so much easier to stay focused on what you're doing, instead of fiddling with air pressure every time you want to do something a little different. Single action airbrushes are basically spray can replacements, fine for single broad color coverage, but not very good for detail people usually associate with airbrush work.

I do have all the tip sizes available for both of my air brushes, but I tend to use the same sizes, largest tip on my Paasche VL, because I primarily use it for broad fades and coverage colors, and the stock size [0.35mm I believe] on my Iwata HP-CS, because it handles acceptable detail with the broadest range of paint types, meaning decent detail with water based paints, and great fine detail with solvent paints. The only other tip for my Iwata is smaller, which works well for very fine detail with all paints, but doesn't allow easy feathering fades and such without changing the tip back to the larger one.

So, the short answer is that unless it's a special situation, I go for versatility on my tip choices. Airbrushing is time intensive enough without doing a disassembly between colors and possibly causing an air leak on my brush, that was just running fine before I started fiddling with it, which will take time to track down and correct.

[genXrated]

Excellent! Thank you so much for your insight. I've only got a single right now, and I've not been fully happy with it. But, for $50 for that and the compressor together, it seemed too good a deal to pass up. I suppose I'll keep it for main coverage and buy a dual action for more detailed tasks.

[1stGenCRXer]

No problem. With a single action brush, you'll be hard pressed to get much more detail out of it than you could with spray cans and a decent spray mask.

A good compressor is never a bad investment for airbrushing though.

[1stGenCRXer]

Pictures and write up scheduled to start Monday, hope to have a fairly extensive FAQ finished in about 2 weeks, stay tuned.

That said, it's not too late to make sure your questions are included.