Painting the Apprentice

[megajon]

My Apprentice is starting to show it's age (2 months with a novice pilot and the stickers look terrible. My first thought was to paint on a new windshield which I think is within is my skill level - a little tape, a little black paint, viola... Then when I broke off the tail and glued it back on the nice strpes got ripped and I thought I maybe it would be fun to just paint the whole plane.

Has anyone else painted one of these - or something made out of Eflite's foam? I plan on using model paints from the local Hobbylobby but I'm concerned that they may not stick or will destroy the foam. I don't have any model painting experience so you won't insult me if you say something that is really basic.

I'm also wondering about color schemes and patterns - any suggestions for easy to see/orientation? I've seen stipes and checkers and alternate wing tips but don't know what actually helps when you are in the air.

I had a great day of flying yesterday - the weather was perfect, the air was very still and the sun was behind me. I went to a new field (my daughter had a horse show with about 1hr of down time) and it was great fun to fly in a wide open area without power lines, close trees, more powerlines, etc. The plane is SO much more relaxing to fly when you are only maneuevering around goal posts and statium lights. I was able to fly [nearly] level figure 8s inside of a soccer field which is something I've been terrified to try at home (trees and power lines too close).

[CrimzonRider]

I just used rattle can paint red and green to paint tail feathers with their corresponding wing tip colors. One thick layer peels off easily, what I did, just lightly dust the surface with paint, let dry 15-20min, then do another med light coat, let dry. Then I just touched up a few areas that did not have enuff cover. Worked OK, I guess. Still came off. I took all the stickers off, when the adhesive failed on one of the wing stickers.

have a good one
cr

[xmech2k]

Just be carefull what paint you choose. Some can just dissolve your airplane! I haven't painted any of my planes yet, but if you search around, there are plenty of threads discussing it. Good luck, and plz post some pics if you can. I think it would be neat to paint my Apprentice like a scale Cessna, just haven't had any stickers peel yet.

[CrimzonRider]

That one wing sticker that I talked about earlier, started to peel off in flight when the front edge caught the air. It went whoooooooooop, like I just went hard left aileron and death spiraled down to the earth. Ordered a new wing....first thing I did was yank all the stickers off and painted it kinda with 5min Cessna stripes, looked Good.....far far far away!!

Have a good one
cr

Do a search for painting foam, I seen one couple days ago....cant seem to find it now......

[xmech2k]

Originally Posted by CrimzonRider

That one wing sticker that I talked about earlier, started to peel off in flight when the front edge caught the air. It went whoooooooooop, like I just went hard left aileron and death spiraled down to the earth.

Hmm, motivation enough to remove the stickers and do a paint job! Mine just went in a couple of weeks ago when an aikeron servo went out, but it was on my final turn for a touch and go, and about 20 feet up, so I lost the prop and cowl, but the rest was hardly scratched. now I'm wondering about the motor due to feeling rough and sounding noisy. Guess the bearings are shot. But I digress.... I'm leaving the subject, sorry!

A Google search turned up this:

E Flite Apprentice Tail dragger MOD

Can't find mcuh else about painting the Apprentice in particular.

Here's some ideas for paint schemes:

http://www.airliners.net/search/phot...ne_version=6.0

[eagle33]

You might look at Krylon "Short Cuts" paint. It's safe for foam and sold at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby and Michaels. It comes in many colors in small spray cans. Probably can get it online also I've used their "clear" as an overspray on my foamies to help attach the decals to keep them from coming off over time.

[megajon]

Thank you for the tips and warning about the decals. I hadn't considered the impact a flapping sticker could have on the aerodynamics!!!

I was considering using a Cessena color scheme but I thought they were more for looking good on the ground, not flight orientation. My biggest problem with the whole red/green thing is that I'm color blind...

[CrimzonRider]

O just an idea then,,,,, paint yellow or orange on top and white/black checkerboard on the bottom.

This is how mine turned out b4 crash. Had a bunch of black 2" stripes on bottom of wing

have a good one
cr
Also that sticker that came off was due to dancing with a barb wire fence!! When the sticker started to peel off, it was like a parachute attached only to one wing, very brutal crash.....with authority!!!!!lol

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I used Testors to spray mine.

[kenchiroalpha]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

I used Testors to spray mine.

Hi
Ive used testors as well
And one of there airbrush sets
http://www.testors.com/product/13711...ith_Compressor
Also other brands of acrylic paints works well
Take care
Yours Hank

[megajon]

CR - I like how the stripe looks on the plane! What I'm seeing here is that I need to just take a deep breath and paint already. I've never been much of an artist and I think I'm too worried about messing it up. It's my plane, there are already chunks missing out of it, and I can paint it again if I mess up so i need to just cowboy up. :-)

I have never used an airbrush Hank. As a serious question, what's the advantage of spraying v brushing?

[kenchiroalpha]

Originally Posted by megajon

CR - I like how the stripe looks on the plane! What I'm seeing here is that I need to just take a deep breath and paint already. I've never been much of an artist and I think I'm too worried about messing it up. It's my plane, there are already chunks missing out of it, and I can paint it again if I mess up so i need to just cowboy up. :-)

I have never used an airbrush Hank. As a serious question, what's the advantage of spraying v brushing?

Hi
I like the speed and ease compared to brushes
What would take me days with a brush i can accomplish in hours
Also i hate to see the brush strokes as i like a very smooth finish
And as too prefilled spray cans i get a better control with an airbrush over a spray can and can fine tune and custom mix the colors that i want and not be limited to only the colors spray cans have
Take care dear friend
yours hank

[CrimzonRider]

The better I get at flying.....the better my repairing will be.
The better I get at repairing.....the better my paint jobs will look.....lol

After almost 50 flights, 2 wings sets, countless cowls and props, 2batts, bigger tires, 500watt motor, bout 9000 inches of tape, when I painted the ol app15e, it took litterally 30 mins or so, kinda rushed it. It is a workhorse for me, not a show truck. I just used masking tape, the paint seeped a tad, but it looked good from far away.

have a good one
cr

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I agree with Hank, a spray gun is the best investment you can make if you are going to do any real painting. I have an automotive trim gun (picture) for fast large coverage & a very inexpensive airbrush for small or detail work.


I drive the airbrush off air cans or my regular duty air compressor that runs my air tools.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...idProduct=9294

This $18 airbrush is the equivalent of $80+ brand name units. I also have a plastic Testors airbrush that runs on air cans for quick jobs away from a regular air source, this is a good starter tool.

[Trammellc2001]

I lightly sand the air frame then apply Miniwax Polycrylic then apply what ever kind of paint you want. You can get that miniwax at walmart.

[CrimzonRider]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

I agree with Hank, a spray gun is the best investment you can make if you are going to do any real painting. I have an automotive trim gun (picture) for fast large coverage & a very inexpensive airbrush for small or detail work.


I drive the airbrush off air cans or my regular duty air compressor that runs my air tools.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...idProduct=9294

This $18 airbrush is the equivalent of $80+ brand name units. I also have a plastic Testors airbrush that runs on air cans for quick jobs away from a regular air source, this is a good starter tool.

Always wondered if you could use "air cans" to run airbrush...Ive always wanted one, just didnt want use my 5ft tall shop compressors and those little pancake compressors. What kind of air cans do you use?

have a good one
cr

[kenchiroalpha]

Originally Posted by CrimzonRider

Always wondered if you could use "air cans" to run airbrush...Ive always wanted one, just didnt want use my 5ft tall shop compressors and those little pancake compressors. What kind of air cans do you use?

have a good one
cr

Hi cr
Check out these
http://www.testors.com/product/13694...ith_Propellant
http://cgi.ebay.com/AIRBRUSH-KIT-Air...-/330428957187
Take care dear friend
Yours Hank

[CrimzonRider]

thank you sir

have good one
cr

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I get the 13oz "Badger Propel" cans at Michaels. They last & hold constant pressure very well. Have also used the smaller Testors cans with good results. Fittings are interchangable between them.

[CrimzonRider]

Thank you sir for additional info..... Bunch of trees you guys got out there, 3wks ago I took a mint condition 85 Camaro IROC out to Fort Bragg. Pretty good looking scenery out there I must admit, but your roads have way too many curves!jk

Around here we have NS roads and EW roads.....you can never get lost here.....sometimes!

have a good one
cr