Skipjack 1/72

[greenman407]

And another thing. Ive had paint out of the same can, crack and craze paint that you had just put down. For example. Black Baron poly-u paint. Takes a long time to dry. Pay attention to the notes about how long before recoat or between coats. The solvent will eat up the uncured paint from the first application.

[greenman407]

The metal gratings go in place. The problem is that the little button that you glue these to makes them stand proud of the model. I took a Dremel with an end mill and ground them down somewhat so that they sit flush. Keep in mind that the gratings are flat and the hull is curved. Make sure that you rough up the back of them before gluing them in place.

[alad61]

I agree Mark, rattle cans can be a bane I go a step further by checking what ingredients and propellant is used. If in doudt I leave thing a minimum of 72 hour to vapour out. I too ground away the 'button' behind the grates only I completely removed the plastic, all bar a small lip, behind the inlet grates just for extra flood and draining.

[greenman407]

As you can see from the above pictures of the sail, the paint job came out well. Therefore, I didnt expect any problems painting the rest of it. I used the same routine. I washed it down using dish detergent. Then I wiped it down using Denatured alcohol. Then wiped it down with a tack rag and away we go. Except this time , instead of a Krylon product, I used a Rustoleum product. I could see that it didnt lay down smooth and developed a mottled look. So, after a couple of days curing time Ill get out the 320 paper and start sanding to get a smooth finish. I will then respray it. At anyrate, I kept going(not to be defeated). The lower part of the Z cut also is to be painted red. So, I taped it off and changed my routine a little bit. I wasnt sure what was the cause but thought that perhaps mold release was the possible culprit. So this time I wiped it down with Laquer thinner instead, a stronger solvant. Well it came out well, so...........................Maybe it was a mold release that the Rustoleum couldnt handle. At any rate.........onward ever onward. Dont worry, this ship is not sunk yet.

[greenman407]

OK..............I couldnt wait. I got some 320 paper and started sanding. The paint is adhering well, so its not coming off here but not there and making a really hard job of it. It looks like it will smooth out but its going to take some work. Right now the paint has not fully cured, so it clogs up the paper real fast. In a couple of days itll harden up. Then Ill do a little bit everyday until its done. Fortunately its not so bad all over, mainly just toward the stern. The Trials and Tribulations of the Great Unwashed.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

What did you use to apply that paint .... dynamite?!!!!!

Put it aside for a week, then wet sand the thing with #400. Don't fret, you'll get there, Kido.

M

[greenman407]

Wet sand in running water. Good idea..................................ITS A CONSPIRACY I TELL YOU.............................A CONSPIRACY!!!!!!!!!

[greenman407]

Today, I wet sanded the bottom hull. Maybe just a little more and I can throw some more paint at it. As far as the top hull is concerned.........................well, its black alright.

[trout]

Man, that is pretty! Nice recovery on the finish!

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Good save, Mark.

M

[HardRock]

Mate, I feel your pain but you know, I really liked the bottom hull when it was lumpy. A bit of salt, some rubbing down, a few barnacles! Magic!

[greenman407]

Well.................its red.

[greenman407]

Yeah, I sanded it all the way down and hit it again with the red and it did it again , in some places. So I sanded those areas down. I did a test on a piece of sheet plastic. I sprayed the red and let it dry for a couple of days. Then I sanded some of it to take away the shine, to represent the areas on the hull bottom that I wet sanded the bad places. Then I hit all of the test piece with clear flat to see if you could tell the areas that were sanded. So far it looks good for a GO.

[greenman407]

I have received another Hi Torque motor and will begin the installation process, this weekend. Then I plan on finishing up the long belated paint job and the last few details.

[greenman407]

Pulled her out today and added some body filler on the stern. Its a start. Never seems to be enough time.