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[ChrisF]

Hi Bob

I've been putting off painting my models for some time and have decided to switch from spray painting to brush painting and have bought some International Paints enamel and primer/undercoat to do the job. It's been too hot in my workroom/small bedroom and too cluttered anyway but having spent a couple of days having a sort out I'm ready to go now.

Like you I think dust is going to be a problem but I'm just going to have to bite the bullet. One tip I've been given is to cover the model with a large cardboard box whilst the paint is drying.

Chris

[DJW]

Hi Bob / Chris


I had issues with dust on my build.  I saw some comments to use a bathroom to let the model dry in, assuming its tiled there should be less dust, and you may be able to use the extractor fan and keep any doors and windows closed.  Haven't tried it yet, but will be come the time.


Best regards
David.

[zooma]

Hi Bob / Chris


I had issues with dust on my build.  I saw some comments to use a bathroom to let the model dry in, assuming its tiled there should be less dust, and you may be able to use the extractor fan and keep any doors and windows closed.  Haven't tried it yet, but will be come the time.


Best regards
David.

I don’t think SWMBO would be too keen on having me paint my model boat in the bathroom, and then having to
wait for 24+ hours for it to dry and harden sufficiently before it could be moved out again   


…but I do know a good decorator who try’s to do his painting (indoors) when it is raining outside as over the many years that he has been a painter and decorator he has noticed that there is a lot less dust about when the atmosphere is a little damper.


Maybe I will get on better next time….

[SteamboatPhil]

When I did my high speed steam boat, I used a badger hair brush, thinned to 20% paint and 80 % thinners ( for the first of 10 coats of paint) I painted last thing at night under a wet tent (which is basically a damp sheet) OK so it took me over 6 months but the finish (like glass) is still as good today as when I did just over 20 years ago.
Ohh you have to love patience   

[zooma]

When I did my high speed steam boat, I used a badger hair brush, thinned to 20% paint and 80 % thinners ( for the first of 10 coats of paint) I painted last thing at night under a wet tent (which is basically a damp sheet) OK so it took me over 6 months but the finish (like glass) is still as good today as when I did just over 20 years ago.
Ohh you have to love patience   

What paint did you use Steve?

[SteamboatPhil]

International Yacht paint (big boaty paint) but it is worth the expense
And the other trick is just before you do last coat, which should be 10% paint 90% thinners, is to cut the paint with brasso (or a good metal polish)
and wipe with a tack cloth,
V important the brush must be really clean (make up brushes work well)



[size=78%]BTW its Phil [/size]

[zooma]

Thanks Steve,


I will take a look and find the best place to buy International Yacht paint (and thinners) …hopefully online!


Bob.

[ChrisF]

David - like Bob, I don't think I will get away with that!

Phil - 10 coats wow! I admire your dedication and patience!

Bob - I bought my International Paint online from Fox's Chandlery. It is expensive (but nothing is too good for my Faireys!) but in the scheme of things and used on a number of models it's not too bad. As I've got at least 5 models to paint I went for the more economical 750ml tins rather than the 375ml ones. Tins of blue and white and the required primer/undercoats and 500ml of thinners came to £105.85, not helped by the dreaded VAT of course.

I chose the Toplac Plus for the top coats (Toplac is being phased out and merchants only have limited colours and stock) and the One UP primer/undercoat.

I have some questions on painting and masking but will start a thread in Painting on this.

Chris

[zooma]

The local bus fleet were all hand painted, and most vintage cars and many commercial vehicles are hand painted too.


All that I have seen have had an immaculate finish, so they must use a high quality and durable paint.


I think they call it “coach paint”.

[ChrisF]

Those types of vehicles plus narrow boats and steam traction engines are frequently painted in coach enamel. Craftmaster Paints have a range of paints and that was another option I considered after a recommendation on the Model Boats forum and seeing the results in the magazine on the hull of a boat fitted with with a steam plant.

Funnily enough both International and Craftmaster don't recommend these paints below the waterline i.e. where the paint is immersed in water for long periods and anti-foul paint is expected to be used there, but of course with models they are only on the water for relatively short periods of time. And if household gloss can stand that sort of use then these more expensive paints certainly can!

Chris

[zooma]

Modern household gloss paints are not fit for purpose IMHO.


Since they changed to “easy clean-up” they have lost their covering power and need lots of coats to give a uniform colour, and they are nothing like as tough or durable.


I put lots of coats of a well known brand of “suitable for outdoor use” paint on my Rapier1 boat stand before I achieved a uniform colour, and the first time I put the boat on if after taking it out of the water it was stained where water had briefly dripped on it !


I called the customer help line for some advice and the person I spoke to said that he wouldn’t trust it on anything outdoors 😱

[ChrisF]

If anyone wants to build a big Stiletto/small Rapier I've drawn up the plans for a 34" version which is a nice compromise in size between the two.

They are not full working drawings but the important parts are there, notably the bulkheads, keel and cabin sides. A little bit more work is required to finish them off and they will be good to go. First builder will be effectively building a prototype but my Faireys came out Ok!

Chris

[zooma]

Sorry about the delay in starting the prototype build Chris, but following a really rough year I am still trying to catch up with everything.


As soon as I can, I will build the prototype and cut a second set of parts for Will as intended.

[ChrisF]

Hi Bob

Sorry, it wasn't meant as a hint! I didn't think you and Will were going to build a standard, albeit it bigger version now? The drawing was just sitting on my PC doing nothing so I thought I'd just offer it out there as I won't be building one.

Chris

[zooma]

No problem Chris, I do feel a bit guilty for not getting started sooner, but I have been well and truly overtaken by events outside of my control.


As soon as I can I will get the drawings out again and remind myself about the variants and the first type to start work on.


I miss not cutting wood and building so it will be nice to have some time back out in the workshop (shed) again!

[ChrisF]

Bit of a milestone for me today. I'm just about to start putting some paint on a couple of Fairey hulls!

Chris

[Stuw]

Good to hear from you both on here. Sorry to hear you’ve had a tough year Bob. Look forward to cutting some wood in the coming months as well if I can get other tasks done.

[madwelshman]

Bit of a milestone for me today. I'm just about to start putting some paint on a couple of Fairey hulls!

Chris

That's great news Chris.
As much of a shame as it will be to cover up that lovely woodwork, it'll be great seeing them with some colour on.


Will

[zooma]

That's great news Chris.
As much of a shame as it will be to cover up that lovely woodwork, it'll be great seeing them with some colour on.


Will

…….and getting wet..eventually 

[ChrisF]

Thanks chaps. I sometimes wish I had concentrated on just the one and got it on the water ages ago! But then I look at all of them!

Chris

[madwelshman]

Thanks chaps. I sometimes wish I had concentrated on just the one and got it on the water ages ago! But then I look at all of them!

Chris

When they're all finished Chris, you'll have the issue of trying to decide which one to use on every outing 

[DJW]

Well...  just the one, or the fleet....  maybe for next year's Mayhem... Just a thought.

[ChrisF]

Not a bad problem to have though Will!

It pales into insignificance though compared with what you will have to choose from!  You need to add a Modav Sea Vixen!

Chris

[ChrisF]

David, yes, we did have that conversation at Wicksteed didn't we!

Chris

[zooma]

Rapier1 ran well again on the club lake yesterday afternoon and as long as the good weather holds, the long awaited tidy-up will have to wait as we spend more time away in the van and very little back at home!


From a distance Rapier1 still looks impressive on the water and has a good turn of speed…..so it’s not all bad news