Cockpit Painting - Part 1

The air frame is supplied by Flying Legend is fully alodined but the cockpit area need's painting and as this is a military themed cockpit it leaves a basic pallet of grey and black.

One of my past associates in crime Laurie Georgeson painted his Barracuda cockpit upper frame in grey undercoat - sanded it and then sprayed it with automotive acrylic clear. The results were spectacular and everyone was stunned how effective and simple the finished product was to create but you have to like light grey. 

This had led to the decision try the same scheme with the Tucano cockpit by spraying etch primer and clear coat when finished. Experience has taught that in highly profiled and confined area's like cockpits, spray cans can more efficient than using a high pressure spray gun. This is a result of the lack of bounce back and resultant rough finish from not controlling over spray settling back on the job. 

As luck will have it, Wattyl Super Etch is available in spray cans in both the colours - problem solved.

Note: For those seeking a smoother finish immerse the can in boiling water to preheat and then spray - the higher pressure gives a finer finish. Do not mix the can after pre-heating. This is not required for the etch but can help with the much thicker clear.

The cockpit interior is now primed and when the time is right will be prepared with a Scotch-Brite scourer pad and Prepsol, touched up and coated with clear to seal the exposed surfaces. The etch has proved very forgiving with application and except for the most ham fist-ted spraying, dries to smooth finish quickly and is at full strength after 24 hours. Where runs do occur they are easily removed with a light sand with aluminium open cut paper. This is very important as it is impossible to tidy up serious paint runs in an area with few flat surfaces.

The application of the clear was best done by allowing the etch coat to dry for 24 hours,  then apply a light "dust" coat twice before applying wet coats to achieve the desired gloss. The test application on the joysticks have proved this to be the best approach. 

The clear will be applied when all the major accessory and associated mounts are manufactured. Once done they can be then refitted and all the necessary mechanical and electrical connections commenced. When is that point - that is the $64 question but its not to far away.

The black will be applied to the floor panels and the top side of the longeron rail to match the RAF Tucano with there may be a little RS War Birds influence as well. This combination should give a small visual lift to the cockpit area as most of the accessory's and equipment will also be black.

Is this perfect - no but for this builder achievable and that is what's needed.

Wattyl Super Etch Specification: Click Here