Painting Wheel Well Advice Needed

In most cases, I get best results using toilet tissue and water. I fill the wheel well with toilet tissue, then add a few drops of water, and gently compact the wet tissue into the well. I add more tissue and water as needed until I have the well full up to the surrounding areas, and let the stuff dry. Once it's dry, I'll commence to painting. I don't recall ever having any problems as long as I make sure that there is a sufficient amount of tissue in the wells. After painting, the stuff usually comes out pretty easily with tweezers.

My approach is similar to Stik's, but I use Silly Putty instead of tissue. It easily fills right to the edge, sticks firmly but is dead-easy to remove, and a toothpick can be used (if required) to coax it into odd corners or weirdly-shaped cutouts.

Once removed, just knead it well and pop it back into the plastic egg, and it's ready to use for next time.

I've had pretty good luck with Mig masking putty.  It "flows" a bit and makes a darn tight seal at the edges.  You can add tiny increments until you are perfectly flush to the surface.

I use paper, too, though I use facial tissue instead of toilet paper. Wet it to place it in the wheel well, paint, wet it again when it is time to remove it.  I use this for cockpits, too.

PhilliePhan79

...I have tried painting the wells first and stuffing, then painting the fuselage/wings...

When you say "stuffing", that suggests to me that you might be using paper yourself.  Can you explain what you mean? Are you using tissue paper?  Do you wet the paper first?  When the paper is wet, it is easier to work it into all the spaces and seal off the well as much as possible.  Or do you mean something else altogether?

Thanks!

the Baron

 

 

PhilliePhan79

...I have tried painting the wells first and stuffing, then painting the fuselage/wings...

 

 

 

When you say "stuffing", that suggests to me that you might be using paper yourself.  Can you explain what you mean? Are you using tissue paper?  Do you wet the paper first?  When the paper is wet, it is easier to work it into all the spaces and seal off the well as much as possible.  Or do you mean something else altogether?

Thanks!

 

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes, same technique.  I think my choice of material may have been the issue.  I used paper towel.  Tissue or Toilet Tissue makes sense as the water probably makes it conform to the unique shapes much better than a paper towel.

I will try that!

MJY65

I've had pretty good luck with Mig masking putty.  It "flows" a bit and makes a darn tight seal at the edges.  You can add tiny increments until you are perfectly flush to the surface.

 

I do have some masking putty on hand.  Side question, do you ever find that it leaves a residue on your paint job?  I only used it once and noticed a residue that I couldn't get off.  It was a matte finish BTW.

I haven't had a problem with the Mig putty, but have noticed residue from BlueTack.  I think you'll be fine with the gloss white wheel well.

PhilliePhan79

what technique works best for you? 

When possible, I try to use the kit's wheel well doors, held in place with blu-tack (poster putty) as masks, also gets them painted at the same time.  Sometimes the kit gives especially-moulded parts for a "wheels up" version, which are often a better fit  - I'm currently working on the Airfix Beaufighter TF X, which provides these.  With gloss paint, I'd recommend raising the doors up a little to avoid them being sealed shut - a gasket of blu-tack would keep paint from getting into the wells.

Otherwise, it's tissue paper or small bits of packing sponge.

I like using foam cut a bit oversized, and fitted in under the lips of the opening.  Bought a chair pad blank of foam at Walmart in the fabric section.  Tight cells, firm yet soft.  One pad will give you several years worth.  Can also be used in intakes, exhausts and cockpits

I use Silly Putty as well.  No residue left on the paint after its removed.

I have used all the mentioned methods that work very well and seldom requires any touch ups.  One new method I used on the Iranian F14 I just completed I sprayed the bays with Tamiya gloss white then masked with silly putty and wet tissue depending on the corners and some angles. I then sprayed the Model Master enamel color. Once dry the masking was removed then used a small brush dampened with paint thinner to clean up the edges. This works great when using enamel over acrylic lacquer like Tamiya paint.

I paint them first,and then stuff them to mask them, I use facial tissue which I wet while applying, gets it adhere more closely and conform. Same goes for open air brakes, once in awhile if they are shallow, then I will tape and spray them later. Lower PSI helps placing the paint where needed with less overspray.

depending on the shape of any opening on any kind of model, I have also used cut up make up sponges

stikpusher

In most cases, I get best results using toilet tissue and water. I fill the wheel well with toilet tissue, then add a few drops of water, and gently compact the wet tissue into the well. I add more tissue and water as needed until I have the well full up to the surrounding areas, and let the stuff dry. Once it's dry, I'll commence to painting. I don't recall ever having any problems as long as I make sure that there is a sufficient amount of tissue in the wells. After painting, the stuff usually comes out pretty easily with tweezers.

 

If the opening is simple enough I may cut a piece of thin cardboard just slightly larger than the opening, and slit it a bit to get it into the opening- makes sure the tissue does not hang out- quicker than letting water dry, but only for limited opening shapes.

PhilliePhan79

 

the Baron 

 

PhilliePhan79

...I have tried painting the wells first and stuffing, then painting the fuselage/wings...

 

When you say "stuffing", that suggests to me that you might be using paper yourself.  Can you explain what you mean? Are you using tissue paper?  Do you wet the paper first?  When the paper is wet, it is easier to work it into all the spaces and seal off the well as much as possible.  Or do you mean something else altogether?

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes, same technique.  I think my choice of material may have been the issue.  I used paper towel.  Tissue or Toilet Tissue makes sense as the water probably makes it conform to the unique shapes much better than a paper towel.

I will try that! 

Yeah, paper toweling is a little too thick to use.  I think you'll get better results with the tissue paper.

By the way, I'm a Phillies fan, too.  Born in the Year of the Blue Snow, three weeks before Jim Bunning's perfect game, six weeks before Johnny Callison homered in the All-Star Game, and three months before The Collapse.

When Cubs fans used to cry about their team not playing in the World Series, I would reply, "Don't tell me about how bad it is-I'm a Phillies fan."

the Baron

By the way, I'm a Phillies fan, too.  Born in the Year of the Blue Snow, three weeks before Jim Bunning's perfect game, six weeks before Johnny Callison homered in the All-Star Game, and three months before The Collapse.

When Cubs fans used to cry about their team not playing in the World Series, I would reply, "Don't tell me about how bad it is-I'm a Phillies fan."

 

At least you don't remember the collapse  I myself was born in 79.  I wore a Phillies shirt to the Reading WW2 Weekend airshow this year.  A guy in a Phillies hat on the BAHF C-97 crew called me out.  I told him I always have instant respect for fans who stick with them through thick and thin.  His reply in a grim voice was "1964.....".