Canopy painting on a budget

[Griffo]

I thought I'd start a thread for those who have painted their own canopies using cheap off the shelf rattle cans.

The professionally airbrushed canopies sure look sweet but for those without a $500+ airbrush setup there's always the Auto rattle can substitute.

Here's my first attempt on my AP 6003d bird. Sanded Gelcoat with 400 grit & 1000 grit sandpaper, cleaned and then 2 - 3 coats of each colour with 3 clear coat layers over the top.

It's very cold here at the moment so all coats were applied outside then quickly brought inside to dry. I had a column heater maxed out in the bathroom with the exhaust fan running to reduce the fumes. I think this very simple heating process really improved the results.

Total time (inc drying time): 7 hours
Total cost: $20

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Not bad!! I put stickers on as I can't afford the rattle can paint.

[F1Atom]

Nice paint scheme. I have the same scheme on my T450. Yellow and Red. How did you get the carbon look on the bottom of the canopy.

[Griffo]

Pretty simple. Just painted the canopy yellow, then placed a net over the top and painted a number of light coats of red over that.

The net I used was one of those small plastic nets used to hold oranges etc at the markets.

[Greybird]

Here is my rattle can canopy for my Logo 10. Painted yesterday.A few stickers, and I'll be happy.

[kgfly]

Nice paint job Griffo. Here is my first attempt on my first Trex450SE in 2006. Since then I have become less fussy as I prang them too often :oops:

* Technique was a light sand with 800 paper to remove all shine from the plastic
* Wash and dry
* Multiple light coats of Tamiya flexible acrylic for model car bodies
* After 24hrs drying, apply stickers
* Two coats of Tamiya clear coat

The paint was $10 each for the blue metallic and the clear coat.

[Greybird]

I like blue, but, at a distance, I cannot see it. All my heli's are yellow/orange now. I guess I am getting old.

[kgfly]

Me too!. I had endless problems with orientation using that canopy. All my helis since have been yellow or yellow/orange. Visibility/orientation wins out over sex appeal every time for me!

[LJS]

Hi All,

Don't forget to put some stickers on before you clear coat. They add a lot of pizzazz to the canopy and the clearcoat helps ensure they don't come off.

Keep 'em flying.:YeaBaby:
LJS

[chopperdudes]

I've always wondered how far you can go with masking tapes and rattle cans. Some1 wanna try and show me impressive results?

I too can't afford an airbrush, so wonder what's the limit of rattle cans however you want to mask them.

[Griffo]

Are you suggesting that the examples already provided are less than impressive? I'm offended :lol::P .

Seriously though. If you want something spectacular, then get a pro with an airbrush. Otherwise rattle cans are just fine.

[Greybird]

I just like them to look OK. If they are too nice, I get upset when I crash. And, these are RC heli's. They crash.