Order of applying covering film

[Tim Kearsley]

I'm still somewhat of a novice where covering a model is concerned, having completed three builds in the last few years.  I'm at the covering stage with a Black Magic build and I'm using Oratex to achieve a fairly simple black and gold (well, yellow really!) scheme.

 

The fuselage will be yellow top half and black bottom half.  I know the general rule is cover bottom first, then sides and finishing with the top.  But I think the rule is also cover light colours first and overlap with darker.

 

So.... is it "acceptable" to cover the top half of the fuse sides with yellow first and follow with the bottom half (after the underside is done) in black?

 

Advice and comments very welcome.  Thank you.

[David Davis]

I would use the traditional method, bottom first, then sides, then top. Provided that the black doesn't show through the yellow, you'll be alright. If it does, you could add a cheat line in white. That could look nice.

[Tim Kearsley]

Thanks David.  It does show through faintly.  But yes, a trim line isn't a bad idea.  Thank you!

[David Hazell 1]

and if you have to cover in stages, back first, up to front last... Keeps the overlap so that the wind/fuel has less chance of getting under the seam...

[Tim Kearsley]

Yep, noted David.  Fuel isn't an issue with this one as it's electric powered (sacrilege with a vintage model I know!) but the airflow is.

[Trevor]

Yes, back to front is more important than bottom to top. So, if you don’t want to rely on a trim line to cover the joint, doing the top before the bottom won’t cause any issues.