I'm done spending money...

I am impressed with your dedication.  No stopping now, you are committed!

Hmmm...committed. Maybe that's what I need -- to be committed.

Gotta go out to the patio to see if has gotten any cooler.

before shooting your model again, take some plastic spoons, or some plastic bottles or something else that you can shoot that has some curves to it and practice on that.  Use the process and layers of paint that you plan to use on the model.  Prime, gloss black and alclad the test plastic in your cooled patio.  This can let you know if your cooled patio is ready. 

This experiment may take a few days do complete.

If you have a thermometer, take a reading of your patio so that you know what the temp is when shooting.  Try to get the temp 80 or under. Mid 70's would be ideal for the paint and you.

If you are using enamels for any of the layers let that coat cure for a few days to a week before the alclad coat.  You may need to wetsand the gloss black coat to clear up any orange peel.

If you can, get three sample plastic spoons or other test plastic, spray each one with primer, spray two with gloss black and spray the third with alclad.  Do this all in your cooled patio and try to keep conditions measured and the same at each step.  

Bring the three test pieces into the next build day at Colonial Photo and Hobby and we can all see your progression from primer to alclad and offer suggestions.

It is the heat of the day right now, but it is definitely cooler out on the patio. The AC has been running for a couple of hours now set on high. I did set the thermostat for 77°. It's not that cool out there by any means, but it is cooler. I guess the best results temp-wise will be in the morning before noon and in the evening when the sun is on the west side of the house. The patio faces east.

Yeah, Route62, I'll do a coup[le of experiment or test pieces to bring to the build day at Colonial. I'll still be using Testors black gloss enamel for a primer. If Colonial has it on build day, I'll be sure to get a bottle of the Alclad black gloss primer.

I will bring in a primer to the build day that I get from auto parts stores.  It is one of the dupli color products.  It's at home as I type this so I can't remember which one exactly.  I will update this once I get home.

It is very much like the tamiya fine grey primer spray can but is half the price and twice the size.  It is laquer based, dries fast, within miniutes, dries hard and smooth and does not fill in fine detail.  I use this as the starting point of most of my models.  I have sprayed alclad black gloss base over this with very good results.

Here is the primer I use on most of my builds

You're never done spending your money on this hobby. 

I use Rustoleum brand primer myself. It's wet and dry sandable.

Yeah, I know I'm never really done spending money but now I just want to finish some airplanes.

Do you have a water trap on the compressor?  That can make a huge difference.

John

Oh yeah. The compressor came with a water trap, pressure guage and an adjustment knob. A very complete little device.

I work in my garage.  I sometimes open the main door and put a two way fan in the window.  That's about as far as I can go for cooling, can't afford a A/C unit or the electric bill that goes with it.

When is the next build day?  Probbly tomorrow.

Build day is on the 15th at Colonial PH.  Go to ipmsorlando for details.

Well, the "little" AC unit did its job this morning. I turned it on around 5:00 am and by 7:00 am, the temp and humidity were in an accptable range. I'm still testing primer and Alclad paint. I sprayed a big plastic jug with the Testors black enamel. I'll let it set until Monday morning then repeat the room cooling routine and then spray some Alclad Aluminum. I've got my fingers crossed...

Route 62...Your pic isn't visible. What is that primer you use? Thanks

fotofrank

When I got back into the hobby I knew I'd be laying out some cash for supplies, paints, and of course kits. A new Badger 200 airbrush, a small compressor, a spray booth. Those three together, maybe around $200+ or - . A small collection of different paints including a couple of Alclad II colors. I feel like I've busted a big hole in my SS check just to get started modeling again. The clincher was a trip to The Home Depot this morning to buy a 12,000 btu portable air conditioner for the patio. My paint studio is on the patio and with the Florida heat and humidity, it's been impossible to paint and get good results. So, cross your fingers. If I can get the patio cool enough and get enough humidity out of the air, maybe I can finally get some wothwhile painting done and show off a couple of finished airplane kits. Stay tuned...

 Good luck with the A/C

 

I feel your pain.

 

I replaced an old 2 ton 10 seer unit a few years ago with a 2.5 ton 15 seer unit and even it's having trouble keeping up with the heat this summer in Orlando.

...but I'm keepin' on keepin' on...

Skyraider.  Here is the primer I use.

Can't wait to see your results this sat Frank at the build day.