Which paint to use?

[Aluma]

okay guys, got a dilema... I was asked to paint a helicopter body.

Its a caliber 30 plastic body/canopy with 3 winglets. I cant tell what type of plastic the body is made of...its thick and white (maybe polystyrene?) and the winglets are beige/white/translucent (nylon?) anyway, my problem is that I'm not sure what paint to use. I have pactra cans that I use for lexan bodies, and enamels for 1/24 models...but enamels crack and the chopper body is really flexible. what do y'all recommend? Krylone fusion? pactra?

[designt1]

you'll need to flash the canopy first since it's polystyrene otherwise the paint will crack and peel. To flash it, use something like a butane torch but keep the flame pretty lazy and just run over the surface of the canopy very quickly! Don't hold it in one spot or go too slow as you will distort the canopy.

Use a good adhesion promoter before primer. You can find this online or at auto stores, it's also what the body shops use on plastic bumpers before painting.

prime with primer. I've painted with parma faskolors and createx auto air paints on canopies. Both turn out pretty good. I've heard the Krylon Fusion works really well also. Here's the kicker...ready??? You MUST do an automotive clearcoat on these canopies. The nitro will eat through rattle can clear coat in no time at all. I know this from experience:D

Also check out www.runryder.com, and search "flash" or check out the painting section. There's some good tips in there on how to prep the polystyrene and other tips and tricks.

Good Luck!

[Aluma]

thanks...now I remember why I like to paint lexan bodies. :P

[designt1]

if you can talk the person you are doing into a fiberglass canopy, do it...LOL Not only will take out a couple steps, but the end result will be better as well. You will still have to use a catalyzed clear coat though.

Oh yeah, on the winglets, or as we like to call them in the heli world, fins, are going to need the same kind of prep work as the canopy.

I think one of the biggest things about a canopy paint job is how well the user treats them. I will ALWAYS wipe down my canopy with either windex or rubbing alcohol before I pack up the heli to go home. If the nitro is given time, it will even eat through the catalyzed clear, it just take a lot longer.

[Aluma]

cool, I told the guy about all the prep/materials needed and he freaked. I just put on the stickers for him. :D