paint problems

[capt blighParticipant @captbligh]

HELP!!!!!
I am new to model boat building and I am having a particular problem that I was wandering if someone could help me with.  I am building my first boat ‘Maggie M’, its been a challenge but I am loving it.  However, I am getting very frustrated with the spray painting.  I am using Halfords spray acrylic paint.  I was very pleased with my first attempt, I primed the hull and bottom with 3 coats of red, masked off the bottom and sprayed the upper green, then I tried to spray the boot top – disaster struck!  Foolishly I tried to do the boot top last!  To cut a very long story short, I had to completely strip the paint right back to the gel coat and start again (a long and messy job!!).  Every time I respray with the red primer I get a heavy over-spray (like a black dust) and have to wet and dry the paint right back and start again.  Anyway, I am back to square one yet again.  I have consulted Halfords over this matter incase it was a bad batch but a different batch has produced exactly the same results.

Can anyone think of anything that I may be doing wrong?  Could I be putting it on too lightly?  The main problem area seems to be around the kort nozzle,rudder and surrounding hull.

It has been so frustrating because the first time it turned out lovely until I balls’d up the boot top and I cant see what I am doing differently now!  There is no boat club on the island so there is no-one here that can help me!  I would really appreciate any help or advice!

[capt blighParticipant @captbligh]

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Mike

 

It sounds as though the can is to far away from the surface that is being painted and is drying before it hits the surface, are you painting outdoors in the hot sun?

 

Paul

[capt blighParticipant @captbligh]

 

Hi Paul

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply!  I am spraying outside but in the shade, I have also tried it in the shed!   I will give what you have suggested a try, perhaps I have been too cautious and the paint has been going on too dry like you said.  I have tried to be careful when spraying inside the kort nozzle because I dont want the pain to get too thick in the surrounding area.  Is it better for me to prime the hull grey where the boot top is before I spray anything else?

 

I really appreciate your help and advice, thank you ( I will get there no matter how long it takes!!!)

 

Mike

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Mike

 

I would agree that it is best to prime the boot top before proceeding any further and I would also suggest that whilst painting intricate parts such as the kort nozzle you mask off as much of the other parts as possible to prevent overspray being a problem (I apologise if you are already be doing this)

 

Spray cans are an effective and above all cheap method of spray painting but can have problems with clogging / spluttering and I would suggest that if you are enjoying building models that you consider buying an airbrush / compressor which will deliver a more measured level of pressure and therefore a better paint flow.

Paul 

[capt blighParticipant @captbligh]

Hi Paul

 

Thanks very much for your reply.  I will do as you have suggested for the boot top.  It has been going through my mind to get an airbrush so you can control the width of the spray a bit better than you can with spray cans.  Can you recommend a good airbrush and compressor?  I would rather pay more for a better one that will last me for a few years as I seem to have gone a bit model boat mad, I have 3 others in my ‘boat yard’ ready to be built!!! To top it off I cant wait to get my hands on the new model slipway ‘Our Lass II’, so I really need to get my paint job sorted!  Hopefully sometime I will find the time to sail them all!

 

Regards

Mike

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Mike

 

I have used a Badger airbrush for 30 years and it is still giving excellent service, for a compressor I use a 1.5hp (20 litre tank) I opted for this size of compressor rather than an airbrush compressor as this machine give a larger and smoother delivery of air and it also drives other air tools.

However there are lots of airbrushes on the market these days all claiming to be the best all that I can say is that the Badger has never let me down.

 

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Mike, I am confused a bit here. When you say overspray, and “like dust” do you mean that the paint finish looks like this, ie not flat and shiny but covered in dust? or is it surrounding areas that are affected by the overspray?  The technique for airbrushing is much the same as Aerosol painting, obviously you can dicker with the paint consistency and spray pattern etc, but the can manufacturers have already optimised this, and you should be able to get a good finish with a spray can.

Sometimes objects in the way will disrupt the spray pattern on the surface and cause under or overspray, and as Paul says, removing some bits beforehand can be useful. It also allows you to paint these bits a bit easier.

I have never had a problem with getting that glassy finish “straight out of the can” and normally problems like you are experiencing may be simply due to spraying from too far a distance. temperature or dampness usually results in a dimply or dull finish, heat will give you the symptoms you describe however, but it would have to be really hot to make too much difference.  ….    Ashley

[capt blighParticipant @captbligh]

Hi Paul

Thanks for your recommendation, its great to be able to get other model builders opinions!  I shall have a look and see what is available.

 

Cheers

Mike

[capt blighParticipant @captbligh]

Hi Ashley

Thanks very much for your response!  It is mainly around the propeller area that I get the overspray.  Having yours and Paul’s advice has made me think of what I might have been doing wrong!  The first time I sprayed I had the propeller in place but masked.  When I had to strip off the paint I took the propeller off.  It is since then that I have had the over spray.  Perhaps, when spraying through the nozzle, the paint is hitting the already painted/dry hull and causing the overspray/dust.  Maybe the masked propellor was preventing this from happening?

I understand what you are saying about the good finish you can get from a spray can.  My first attempt turned out brilliantly, I just havn’t been able to get that again!!!  I am thinking about getting an airbrush though.  I will take on board all that you and Paul have suggested and will try and make sure I am not spraying from too far away.

I am more used to building full size fishing boats and at the moment I would say I find them much easier and far less stressful, although boot tops on them are a pain in the ass too!!!

I will post an update when I have some success!!!  I think Halfords might invite me to their Christmas party after all the cans of paint I have bought from them!!!

 

Mike

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Mike

 

Halfords sell a nice little 6 litre compressor @ £99.99

But Screwfix is selling a similar 6 litre model for £62.97

 

Paul

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

Thanks Paul for the compressor info. 

I have a one of these small ones (and a large one) as in your last  posting, but if Mike wants something larger then http://www.wolf.tv/product.asp?id=003454 have a 2.5hp 9.5cfm 24 litre compressor for £99.99 + £11.99 p/p that will meet all conceivable modelling needs. In fact Wolf, three weeks ago, were offering ex-demo versions with a one year guarantee for £59.99 or two for £100, but that offer has now ceased I believe.

The downside is that the larger compressors are much noisier. I have mine in the main body of the garage with piping through the wall into the workshop, This keeps the noise outside of the workshop which is linked to the house, so Mrs F doesn’t complain.

Paul Freshney

Editor of Model Boats 

[capt blighParticipant @captbligh]

Thanks to you all for your help,advice and recommendations for compressors! 

I really need to stop looking so much at other peoples models on the internet and get on with my own!  I am ready to bite the bullet again and respray!

 

Cheers Mike

[boat building disastorParticipant @boatbuildingdisastor]

silly question but i did this on my first model and it looked really messy have you ruffed the surface up this might help

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