Newbie needs ideas for a paint stand

Dave - it depends heavily on the models you build, so there's no "one fits all" stand. You say you build jets - so for the newer jets a rod fitted down the tailpipe could do the job, but it's not universal - wouldn't work for machines like A-3 Skywarrior or A-6 Intruder.

Most of the time I personally put the plane on its back, paint the underside. Then I mask it and put the aircraft on the masked side, then paint the back. If I was to paint the whole aircraft one colour, I'd probably do something like drill holes in it and mount it on some kinda strong wire, and then conceal those holes with some part, like an antenna or something like that.

Hope it helps - good luck with your builds and have a nice day

Paweł

You can buy ready-made painting stands like this: 

https://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=74522

However, it shouldn't be too difficult to make something simple, without the fancy clips etc, to do the job.

I too build mostly 1/48 aircraft.  I approach each build with consideration on how best to hold and/or set on stand for painting.  Many builds require several techniques.  There are some more common methods and these can be modified for each new build.

For single prop aircraft I attempt to secure a rod or clamp into or onto where the prop will eventually be installed.

For many single engine jet aircraft a pencil, rods of different diameters or coat hanger wire can be inserted into the rear exhaust or front intake.

For dual engine jets, I have used coat hanger wire bent into a loop so I can insert into both front and rear of the jet and bend the wire to make a stand of sorts.  I will wrap the wire in foam where it enters the model so it will not damage the finish.

Sometimes I take the box lid the kit came in and cut notches on two sides to create a cradle.

I have used larger c clamps and clamped the aircraft nose to tail or wing tip to wing tip.

A cheap lazy Susan will be invaluable when your aircraft is on a stand and you need to rotate your work.

Once I had a larger aircraft and decided to hang it using cloths line and clamps so I could paint it standing up in the garage.

Dense foam and toothpicks or bamboo skewers allow you to make all sorts of odd shaped stands.  You can cut the foam to shape and assemble the foam parts using the toothpicks and skewers.

Get creative and you will find many household items that can be used.

To piggyback on the Lazy Susan idea, I use a revolving cake stand that I got from Michaels for somewhere around $10.

Like Pawel said, each case is different and requires certain special handling and imagination.

No one paint stand will apply to ALL builds. I use a variety of methods like the Tamiya revolving stand, a wire shirt hanger, and like pawel paint the top then the bottom, one at a time.

The wire /coat hanger  method works very well for most builds cuz one can bend and cut the soft wire to whatever shape you need such as holding a car body, slid into the tail pipe of as jet, or even slid into a hole in the firewall of a prop plane. This article is about an auto build but you can see the wire stand being used:

http://finescale.com/how-to/articles/2014/02/build-great-scale-models-part-2

The Tamiya revolving stand is simple and comes in handy for some applications.

https://www.micromark.com/Tamiya-Spray-Work-Painting-Stand-Set?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzsbN-a-O1wIVgySGCh2sDQgpEAQYASABEgIK_vD_BwE

If you like the Tamiya stand and have a Hobby Lobby near you, then use the 40% discount coupon and save $.

I use the dowel in the tailpipe method. I pick the next size smaller dowel to the taipipe ID.  Then I wrap masking tape around the dowel till I get a good, secure fit. I hold the model during painting with this dowel.  Then, in my drying box I have a bunch of holes drilled, and just stick the dowel in one of those holes to prop up the model till it dries.

All of the suggestions above are useful, as has been said, depending on the demands of the particular model. One thing that works for me in general is to use the larger styrofoam blocks that come in many packaged items as supports for wire, dowels, etc. They are free, lightweight and can easily be adapted to many situations as opposed to fabricating special bases from wood, MDF, or similar materials.

Mike

I made a bunch of stand-off clamps by gluing wooden dowels into the end of alligator clips.  Sharpen the free end with a pencil sharpener.  Clamp parts in alligator clip, stick sharp end into a large block of styrofoam.  Presto!  Re-useable, custom painting stand.  You can even hold up a whole small model by using several stand-up clamps.

I did the same thing, however I put a piece of wood that I got from work and threw some paint sheets on there to protect the model from dust and that gives me a little bit bigger surface area.