B29 Build Progress

So, it is Stupid Question Time once again.  I noticed when I had the bird upside down that there is a drip of the Stainless Steel Alclad II paint on the surface of the wing, on top of the Polished Aluminum base coat.  Looks awful, I have to fix it.  What is the best way to correct it without ruining the underlying Polished Aluminum finish?

One thought:  lightly brush a Q-tip with lacquer thinner over the spot to remove the offending Stainless Stell droplet, then respray the Polished Aluminum over it

Another thought:  simply re-spray the Polished Aluminum coat back over the spot and hope it covers it

picture below:

Untitled by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

Does anyone have any suggestions before I launch off on a solution?

cheers, Bob

Hey Bob,

I've had similar problems when I've used Alclad.  What I've done is take a very fine sanding pad, say, 6000 grit or higher, and lightly sand the spot.  Just sand it enough to knock down the majority of the unwanted color and smooth out any ridges from the drip, but not enough to sand through the underlying Alclad layer(s) to the basecoat/primer.  Once you've done that, wipe away any dust with a lint-free cloth and some Windex.  After that, re-spray the Polished Aluminum.  This method's worked for me with Alclad boo-boos and even enamel overspray.

I don't know if anyone will chime in with anything "better," but I've used this "easy" method with success.

Good luck!

-O

Do what Oritz says. Don't use lacquer thinner. Even a bit will strip e everything away, and you'll have to start all over again in that spot.

OK, thanks to both of you.  I had not thought of Windex.  I will try Ortiz's method  tonight and see how it goes.

thank you, Bob

Thanks for the good advice.  It worked perfectly!

cheers, Bob

Sweet!

Good luck with the rest of the build!

Cheers,

-O

Today's project was getting the wheels installed.  Port side went on just fine:

by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

Starboard side, not so much:

Untitled by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

I used the Eduard wheel set and the mating holes were slightly out of size with the peg on the kit landing gear, so I had to clamp it in place while it dried. 

I liked the Eduard wheel set because they were molded with a slight bulge in the tires to reflect the weight of the aircraft, which appealed to me.

Next is to finish the bottom details (gun turrets and radar dome) and get the gear doors installed.  So far so good!  Then I go on to the top details and finally to decals and installing the engines last.  Recall I completed all the engines, nacelles and propellors in the ill-fated first version, and they have been patiently waiting in a plastic container for their hour to shine. 

cheers, Bob

May their installation go smoothly, with no more mishaps.  good luck and looking forward to seeing the wonderful completed bird!

John

Almost done...Today I installed the decalls and the upper turrets and things.  Only step left is to install the four engines (already completed) and the tail gunners turret, and then I can mount it on the base.

Here is what it looks like at the moment:

Untitled by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

Here is the nose detail, with the crew's three Purple Hearts, three Jap flags for the downed planes, and their fourteen bombing missions.  Names on the side are the authentic crewmen from June 1945.

Untitled by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

And a detail from the tail section:

Untitled by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

Those who have followed this trail of tears from the beginning will realize that this is the step (mounting the engines) where I dropped the model last time and caused me to start all over again.  I am not going to do that this time...

I'll epoxy the engines on tomorrow and send another photo!

cheers, Bob

Oh, heck.  I couldn't wait:

Another view as they dry:

by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

cheers, Bob

Man, what a beautiful bird ,a very large WELL DONE !

Bob, that is bad-*ssed man!  Wow, what a plane!!  You have built a my-tee fine bomber.

Gary

Thanks, it has been a great experience to build it.  Now for the base and cover.  Stay tuned!

cheers, Bob

That is an enormous and beautiful bird.  Way to stick with it!

Groot

Thanks, Groot.  I would have been happier if it hadn't required quite so much perseverance because I dropped it...but alls well that ends well.  It'll be awhile before I tackle something that large again! But I'm happy with how it came out.

Cheers, Bob

How did you drop it?  Not paying attention or did she slip out or what?    I'm glad to finally see her just about finished!

I set the model up in the same configuration as the final product, to be sure I had the right size in mind for the base.  It will be 27" square, the interior dimensions of the blue tape in the photo.  The plaques on the left and right are actual size (although just printed on paper, versus the brass I will use in the final product. 

by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

The plaque on the right has his name, the aircraft identification and unit, and his medals (which are displayed in front of the bird: a Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals, along with his Air Observer wings they gave NCO radar operators).

The plaque on the left shows a photo of this aircraft on Iwo Jima the day after the raid on Kobe in which they won the Distinguished Flying Cross.  My friend is sure, because it was their only stop on Iwo in the war.

Another photo:

Untitled by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

I still have to use the clear glass paint jar to prop up the tail, but that will obviously be removed when I tie the wheels down to the base.

And a final shot:

by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

Cheers, Bob

Mike:  I had the earlier version mounted in a set of two fuselage vises while she was tied to a trial base of wood, and I was carrying her out to the garage.  My intent then was to mount the base (and the bird) in a vertical position so gravity could help me hold the engine nacelles level while they dried.  However, in my fear of damaging the paint where the vise gripped the fuselage sides, I did not have the bird in tight enough.  As I went out into the garage she slipped free and crashed to the hardwood floor, splitting the upper fuselage seam open and destroying the canopy glass.  It was a Significant Emotional Event for me...but I resolved to start over and built a new one.  I still have the old one (and the pieces) and if I run out of things to do I may try to salvage her for my own use.  This one is going to my WWII friend.

cheers, Bob

Bob, it is a great joy to see that wonderful piece of work completed and ready to get mounted.  I admire your perseverance in seeing this through.  You have created a stunning memorial to the crew of this aircraft.  Thank you for sharing your journey.

John

John:  thanks very much, I appreciate all the advice I got from the Forum members.  It kept me from making some major mistakes.  I'm glad I have it finished while he is in good enough health to enjoy it for awhile.  I will post another picture when I have the base completed. 

cheers, Bob

Your work is so clean and neat the (cockpit) is clean as well vey nice.....

thank you, artworks2.  I appreciate your kindness.  Like most of us, I know where all the flaws are and so am probably overcritical!

cheers, Bob

RCH73

Mike:  I had the earlier version mounted in a set of two fuselage vises while she was tied to a trial base of wood, and I was carrying her out to the garage.  My intent then was to mount the base (and the bird) in a vertical position so gravity could help me hold the engine nacelles level while they dried.  However, in my fear of damaging the paint where the vise gripped the fuselage sides, I did not have the bird in tight enough.  As I went out into the garage she slipped free and crashed to the hardwood floor, splitting the upper fuselage seam open and destroying the canopy glass.  It was a Significant Emotional Event for me...but I resolved to start over and built a new one.  I still have the old one (and the pieces) and if I run out of things to do I may try to salvage her for my own use.  This one is going to my WWII friend.

cheers, Bob

That's a tragedy...     I have a great deal of respect for you.  A lot of people would have thrown her out!   I hope he likes the B-29 -- I know I would! 

Congratulations, Bob.  It's a great model.

thanks, Mike.  I hope he likes the model as well!!

thanks, John.  I appreciate that.

cheers, Bob

Very nice!

Wow, and I thought the B-17 was big; that thing is HUGE !! Super nice build there Sir, it looks fantabulous !!!!!  

Glad to see this one put back together again.  =]  Nicely done Bob!!

Thanks, gents.  I am glad it came out as well as it did the second time around.  Now to finish the base and cover for the display.  And, oh by the way, plan for a 2,790 road trip to deliver it to my friend.  I can't even estimate how much this whole project is going to end up costing...probably would have been cheaper to restore a real B-29...the Missus just rolls her eyes at me...

cheers, Bob

Bob, you did it. Congratulations! And a fine job indeed. And it did not take you nine months either.