Albacore continued

[greenman407]

In the bottom picture you can make out the anchor door as well as various bumps and bruises.

[greenman407]

Work continues on the sail and its rudder. At the same time I elected to get some paint on the props. As you recall, I Nickel plated the props for the purpose of adding strength. My next step was to sand them down with 400 paper and shoot them with automotive grey primer and then a Bronze color. Its drying as we speak. To top it off Im coating it after that with a epoxy clear flat. Ill post pictures when the paint has dried.

[greenman407]

Heres some " under construction" shots, just to let you guys know that Im not sloughing off. Next, the periscope and masts and bridge doors.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Nice work, Mark. Keep plugging away, pal.

David

[trout]

Mark,
I think those props came out real nice! They have a solid look to them and i like your technique to get them to that point.
Peace,
Tom

[greenman407]

Just recieved this from John Maier at Albacore park. It helps a little bit with the Mast problem. Ill keep at him for more.

[greenman407]

Also, the props are going to be sprayed with this. Its a Epoxy flat clear thats waterproff and fuel proff. Hopefully it will seal and encapsulate and make the props durable without any paint chipping over time.

[greenman407]

The sail rudder also has to be finished and mounted to the sail. Then comes the "Bump". The bump on top of the sail will be the next big item.

[Subculture]

There are two ways to near enough eliminate chipping on painted metal surfaces.

1. Prime the bare metal primers with an etch primer. You can get this in an aerosol if you don't have a spray gun or air brush, and in single or twin pack formulations. Once you apply this, the only way it comes off is if you sand it off. Do use it in a well ventilated space- the stuff is acidic and not at all good for you,

2. Use the ferric chloride pickling trick that Dave uses for white metal and brass parts.

Either method works well, the primer method is easier for larger areas e.g. a brass etched deck.

[greenman407]

Ive never heard of an etch primer before. Maybe they dont call it that over here.

[greenman407]

I borrowed this Idea from "He who can not be blamed".............I mean named. To help form the bump and locate it I cut from thin sheet plastic this 1/4" by 1&1/4" piece and CAed it to the proper location. Then using filler Ill contour and smooth and shape. First Ill shape the plastic, then Ill put the Goop on.

[Subculture]

Ive never heard of an etch primer before. Maybe they dont call it that over here.

Well to give it the full name, self-etching primer. Looks like it gets the same name to me, although the brands are different, I use Upol brand, which I don't think you can get over there. They're all much of a muchness though.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=etching+primer&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[greenman407]

Excellent. Good for next time.

[greenman407]

I am bitterly disapointed. After spraying the props with the clear flat, now they look milky white. Apparently, too much flat pigment was put in the can. I wouldnt recommend that stuff to anybody. However I cant see myself spending hours trying to sand down these things. Perhaps paint stripper.............We will see.

[greenman407]

Jim Wakefield, who is in charge of maintaining the Albacore emailed me that the Phase 4 configuration only has two masts. The periscope and a radar mast. He also said that the messenger buoys on phase 4 are painted black to match the hull. Good info.