New to model building

harleypoke

Member since
August 2014

New to model building

Posted by harleypoke on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 8:11 PM

I am new to model airplane building, or at least new since I was a kid. I bought my first model last week and am using it more as an experiment in developing techniques. One article I read talked about cleaning the parts with soapy water on the sprue before painting. I did that and find the paint does not stick well, especially lighter colors. I am using testor enamal paint. I am curious if the problem is the paint or I need a different process to clean the parts.

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checkmateking02

Member since
September 2003
From: AandF in the Badger State

Posted by checkmateking02 on Thursday, August 14, 2014 7:47 PM

Welcome to the Forum!

I always wash the parts in dish-soapy water. Don't usually have a problem with paint adhesion, but years ago I used to.

For me, I think it was the thinner.

Are you brush painting or airbrushing? I use an airbrush, and I thin Testors paint with lacquer thinner. Used to use Floquil's Dio-Sol, but they discontinued that. I don't normally now have a problem with the paint lifting off.

Normally, enamel sticks pretty well since it reputedly "bites" into the plastic rather than simply lying on top of it.

Other folks here may have some other insights for you.

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Bish

Member since
December 2002
From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England

Posted by Bish on Friday, August 15, 2014 1:21 AM

Welcome aboard. I've never cleaned my part before building. Might be an obvious question, but have the parts been fully rinsed off. I imagine any soap residue might effect the paint going onto the surface.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

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Eagle90

Member since
November 2010
From: Florida-West Central

Posted by Eagle90 on Friday, August 15, 2014 6:26 AM

Welcome to the forums! Glad to have you.

Eagle90

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modelcrazy

Member since
July 2014

Posted by modelcrazy on Friday, August 15, 2014 8:18 AM

Welcome to the forum.

I try to stay with acrylic unless I want a high gloss sheen, like for a car. Most everything else is weathered which knocks down most of the gloss, I find.

Except for that pitiful little Goshawk I posted.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

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Don Stauffer

Member since
November 2009
From: Twin Cities of Minnesota

Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, August 15, 2014 8:42 AM

You didn't say anything about primer. While some folks do get along okay without priming, I personally prime just about everything. I feel painting plastic without primer is risky. I use Krylon spray can primer.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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f86saber9

Member since
August 2014

Posted by f86saber9 on Saturday, August 16, 2014 7:33 AM

welcome harleypoke to the forums. I use non concentrated dawn and I allow it to dry several hours after washing

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Exocet

Member since
July 2010
From: Dublin, Ireland

Posted by Exocet on Sunday, August 17, 2014 5:40 PM

I've been modelling over 40 years and I have never washed any parts. I have however wiped parts with a lint free cloth soaked in isopropanol, more to remove mould release agent than anything else.