question about canopies

[Jetgirl]

:fly

First of all, I haven't been on the board in a while because of illness.

I am doing a little better so here I am.

I have been out flying a little bit and spending sometime on the simulator. Still love the idea of flying helis.
On to my :dance :?: :dance (love this little guy): I have two canopies that need painting. Where can I find some good ideas on what to paint it. I have an airbrush that I can use however, I am not very good at airbrushing, so it would need to be simple.

ideas? Places to look? I have not a clue where to start!

[Whirly-Girl]

Well, I always look at galleries here on HeliFreak when I see a picture that catches my eye in the upper part of the forum everytime a page loads.

I also frequent some of the websites of canopy painters to see their examples. Keep in mind that most painters can do custom work so sometimes I'll cross a color combo that I like from one canopy with a border or transition from another canopy.

Check out:

http://www.rickosplace.com/
http://www.arizonaheli.com/
http://together.net/~justcan/index.htm

[Jetgirl]

Thanks !!!!!

[BarracudaHockey]

Hope you're feeling better!

Keep it simple, go with bright colors and play around. The Trex canopy should paint just like a model airplane, you dont need to worry about fuel proofing and if you hate it, they are cheap!

Show us some pictures when you're done.

[kjfly]

Hey Jetgirl!!! So glad to hear your feeling better!! (even if it is just a little it's still better)
:happyd

I'm a graphic designer and I can draw and paint, but air brush is a totally different thing - I never learned how in school or college - but I guess I need to!! On our Swift canopies, they are made out of a material that you just can't get paint to stick to, so I have been cutting vinyl by hand and putting it on, almost like a decal.

Good luck - you'll have to show some pictures when you get one done.

Take care of yourself!!

kjfly
:glasses2:

[Rick Rotorhead]

Hi Jetgirl. Here's my idea. Get a few PET fizzy drinks bottles. Practice using the airbrush on them first. This will give you a good feel for the way the paint spray behaves around a curved 'canopy like' surface. You will soon learn how to produce fades and how to control overspray and speckling. You can also use them to practice or rather, make first drafts, of your design ideas - more realistic than trying to visualize it from a sketch on paper.

[Jetgirl]

what a great idea!!!!

I have an idea, just not sure how to put it on paper. I want to paint the canopy Gold with purple accents (my highschool colors - Fort Collins, Colorado) or Purple with Gold accents. Something that will help with visual placement. Because I know with Planks, they design the wings with the top being a different color than the bottom or a patch of a contracting color on the bottom of one wing so you can 'see' how the plane is flying.

I want it to be 1-visible and 2-easier for me to be able to visually see which way the machine is flying. So it doesn't blend into the surroundings.

Of course, when I have it done I will post pics OR I will post progress pics too. Depending on my schedule.

[heligirl13]

flipithobbies.com does an awesome job. Anything you want, he can do and even give you ideas. Check it out!

[leslie]

Hi Jetgirl,

I've been away for a bit too, motorcycle accident. But when I get ready to paint a canopy I take a picture of the white canopy and use photoshop or other program to experiment with design. I'm at the simple stage too, I use simple taping and fades to paint and then get creative with decals.

Cheers,
Leslie

[Whirly-Girl]

Good ideas!

Leslie, how you doing? Motorcycle accident?! No wonder you haven't been gracing us with your presence in Chat!