Drewpy Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I have a Seagull Texan which I am about to start 'building' however it is bright and shiny which may look nice but in my opinion doesn't portray a working aeroplane. Has anybody got any tips on how to dirty it up? I recall that RCM&E had an article some time ago about doing this sort of thing but I can't find it. Anyone remember it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 hello drewpy-try some soot from the fire(the gas one's with the coal's)i used it on a ripmax spitfire-it's good stuff.................. ken anderson...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myron Beaumont Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Get 'er indoors to clean it up after several flights . Women never go into corners and awkward bits so in no time at all it will look well used. I am of course assuming you are using a proper engine ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewpy Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 Thanks for the advice. Am using a proper engine but these bright shiny new toys look too pretty to me. Anyone remember that article in RCM&E some time age, approx 2 yrs ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksboy Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Drewpy, I've used a kitchen scourer to take the shine off ATRF covering. Use one of the green plastic scourers not a metal one. It leaves loads of minute scratches so use this to your advantage and rub in the same direction. To dirty it up afterwards use ordinary pencil graphite applied on a finger. sharpen a pencil and rub the lead on a piece of fine sandpaper to get your dirt. If you apply a bit of masking tape to a section and then rub the dust over the tape onto the plane, when you remove the tape you are left with a hard line. This gives the impression that a panel is leaking oil, apply sparingly and keep looking at the effect before you dirty the whole plane! BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Hi Drewpy, I totally agree about the toy look. To be avoided at all costs I think it's very difficult to dirty a shiny surface, because the dirt doesnt stick. Try to take the shine off as Bucksboy suggests. I too use graphite powder for dirt. You can make some with sandpaper and a soft pencil. Try to get some closeup pix of the prototype, to see where the stains are, and rub the graphite on with a fingertip in the direction of the airflow. ~You can add rivets with a hypodermic syringe with white glue, then you get a wee dirt stain behind the rivet, Most satisfying, if you have the patience. Oil stains tend to be shiny, so I use artists oil colour, applied with a toothpick ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewpy Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 Thanks for your advice fellas. Will have a go with the graphite although the soot from the coal fire sounds interesting, once on v hard to get off. My lounge carpet will testify to that! The graphite trick sounds like the one outlined in the article mentioned in my first post. Do you finish the surface with 2 coats of 50/50 thinned matt Ronseal varnish & water? I used that on my Basic 3D and the covering has stayed v clean even after 18 monthe of regular flying with no pealing of stickers. BTW stuffed the Superair today so that' now on the repair bench! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Hi Drewpy I'd be careful with any varnish on top of graphite..I've seen this tried and the beautiful graphite stains changed to look like someone had poured ink on ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fats Flyer Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I used matt enamel thinned out very thin for the staines on my lanc around the engines, looks very real and being enamel is hard wearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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