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[Stuart]

I'm currently building a Huntsman 31 on a 34" GRP hull. I am now thinking of paint for the balsa wood superstruture and have some questions.

My preference is to use an air brush. What manufacture of paint would be recommended for this task. I am aware of Humbrol and Tamiya paints but I don't know the difference between them. As I understand a primer / undercoat would also be required.

Finally I have a few imperfections which I would like to fill beforehand. I have seen Isopon referred to am I right in thinking this is P38 filler? Is there any other tried and tested fillers for this purpose?

Thanks
Stuart

[TugCowboy]

Stuart,

I'm not much of a sander/filler being a bit of a kit basher so I'll leave that to the experts.
Airbrushing is more my thing so I'll keep to that.

My personal preference is to use the Tamiya paints, thinned using Tamiya thinner and it airbrushes really well.
However for the best finish and seal you are far better off using a custom airbrush paint. I really can't recommend highly enough "House of Kolor" which is not available in stores but you can get it online easily enough.
Comes in enough colours to deal with anything you might ever want, I even believe that they do a paint with gold and silver flakes inside it.

If you want to airbrush its the best and is used by all the pro's.

Another model shop paint is the new square pots, I can't remember if its Revell or Humbrol but they do spray quite well when thinned down.

I just use grey car primer in an aerosol can, from a pound shop. I find its a lot easier than airbrushing a primer, saves cleaning the airbrush too.

Hope that helps,

Alex

[DickyD]

P38 filler is probably the best choice. It comes in tube or can.
I think you will find that the new square pots are Humbrol Acrylics. 

[Stavros]

Check out Painting and refinishing thread


Stavros

[Philipsparker]

I prefer to airbrush with Humbrol enamel thinned with cellulose thinners. These flash off quicker than the enamel ones which means less time for dust to settle in the paint !

If the hull is plastic, car shops sell special primer for plastic bumpers - I doubt it is any better than the normal stuff though. I am getting into using high build filler/primers in an aerosol for hulls. It is like a thick primer and allows you to sand it back for a smooth finish over slight imperfections.

Phil

[mrsgoggins]

I find that P38 and the like can be a bit too hard when used on balsa and prefer the lightweight water based fillers used by the "flyboys".

Regards,
Keith

[barriew]

I've had good results with the Revell ready mixed airbrush paints. Need no thinning and air brush well. This only applies to the matt versions, I haven't tried the gloss ones, and someone else on here had problems with them.

They are not generally stocked by model shops, but an on-line search will find a couple of suppliers at lest.

Barrie

[tonyH]

Hi Stuart,

Have you used any sanding sealer on the balsa?

Tony

[Stuart]

Hi Tony,

I've not used sanding sealer on the balsa. Could you tell me what it does, is there a trade name for it etc?

Stuart

[Stavros]

Just ask your local model shop for some,basically it is aircraft dope with talc added(no not the smelly variety !)
What you do is apply 2 coats allow to dry usually 1hr sand down repeat and repeat and your wood or balsa will be sealled and will accept any paint .Confused,let me explain,sanding sealer is as the name suggests,a product that is used to seal any type of wood prior to the application of paint ,it stops the paint being drawn into the wood.If you paint wood without sealer what will happen is that the wood will draw the paint in and will not allow the paint to hide the wood grain,with sanding sealer ti will.



Stavros

[TugCowboy]

I hope your local model shops are better stocked than mine.
I have 4 shops within a 30 mile radius and none of them stock sanding sealer!

Does anyone have a brand name that I could try to search for online?

Alex

[Stavros]

Try this


http://balsamart.co.uk/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=109_198




Stavros

[TugCowboy]

Thanks Stavros, I appreciate your time in finding that link. Just what I needed!

Alex