Flite Test - Painting Foam Board - TIP 

I am working on a couple of planes now. The main one is my A-10, 64mm 2 duct. I have modified for flaps and will be putting in retracts. Once finished it will be heavily altered from original. This paint video has cleared up a lot for me and I thank you for it. I have an air brush setup and will be using it to lay down the final design on my project. Thanks again for all the good info that you have passed on.

I've been using airbrushes for years but this was probably the best most concise intro to airbrushing I've seen. Most experts use more technical lingo and expect the audience to catch up. You explained that in perfect laymans terms.

UK translations... Windex = Windowlene, Minwax = Ronseal Mattcoat Clear Varnish (not quick drying version)

Thanks so much for the Minwax tip! Great stuff.

I don't know about airbrush and 'special' paint. What works for me is ordinary glue for wood (Elmer's glue, gorila glue...). Thin coat, and then after good drying - it can be painted with any spray (even acetone based!). What is more exciting, wood glue can be mixed with pigment for wals, or any other water based pigments. Plus, final coat over the paint - and it can be polished with paper towel to really glossy surfaces. Okay, all paints add weight, but my method is simpler (I mean, available) and cheaper. Did not tried to add polyurethane over the paper covered foam, but direct contact with foam may disolve it (at least one brand I have).

Awesome vid, thanks for taking the time to make this one!!!

Fantastic video Chad, was waiting for this one and enjoyed you sharing your knowledge with us. Thank you.

I've been waiting for this ever since the teaser on the Spitfire vid! My first DTFB painting attempt on my FT Biplane resulted on with a few paper bubbles,,,not enough to ruin it,,,but I'm amazed how you were able to slather on the polyurethane with a brush and not draw up the paper! Sweet,,,now I can build my FT Spits!

Chad ; You did a great job on your painting video! Thanks!

Back in the day, I used shelf paper to make up stencils for painting. It uses a low tack that holds it down, but it releases easily and has less tendency to pull up lower layers. It also comes in rolls large enough for most projects. Assuming, of course, that it's still available. It has been some years.

Great tips! I've done airbrushing on foam for non-rc aircraft but I have had another good trick when doing it. If do the coating you can actually use water as well to thin the paint. The amount of water depends on how thick of a paint you buy. Thats when its great to make small samples with the base paints to find that right mixture. I also found it to make cleaning the air brush easier.

Looking forward to building the Spitfire as my first scratch built! Thanks for the painting tips.

Thanks! Wanted this episode since that first FT Fliers with a great paintjob. BTW, there are tons of articles on painting tech on scale model forums too.

Nice video. Lot's of good information, Even for someone that thought they new a little bit about painting. thanks again.

Another great show, you guys do a great job, please keep it up!

I've been waiting for this video! Thanks so much!

Great show! You guys need to be on TV already!

this is the episode I was waiting for,,hard finishing foamboard! thanks!

Another good way to lay down camouflage lines is to stretch Silly Putty into a long thin strand and use it to shape the line. You can move the line around until you're happy , and then lightly press it into place. Add tape to cover the area you don't want painted. There's a lot of good tips from the scale modeling community. Thanks for the video.

Very thorough, easy to follow and all around excellent presentation. I was searching for exactly this for a naked foamie I love but can't stand the raw styro look and was afraid it would end up becoming a pile of goo...lol Thank you so much for this and great work.

Windex - works great on glass also. Great vid! Very helpful tips on finishing.

Brilliant tips! Great video, thanks!

thanks chad good tips i been look at starting this and i think you just gave me the inspiration

Thats why you guys are the best! Thanks for the video.

Another great video guys

Great video, very informative and helpful!!

Good video Chad. An interesting introduction to spray painting.

Hooray! Thank you, Chad!

Great info on painting. thanks young man.

I just subscribed because of this video! Really well done! Great tips...

Excellent tip.

Thank you for the masking tape stencil idea!

If you add a stainless steel ball bearing to the jar, it will help keep the paint more liquid..

This is super useful!!

I've been waiting for this one great stuff, many useful tips. might start to look for an old airbrush. Here's a tip you want a little more dihedral ? Paint the top of the wing black and leave it in the sun. It will curle up quick. Watch how much you paint it.

Most helpful - thank you!

Nice Vid Chad, thx for the tips, I especially like the one where you stress testing on scrap first, and how to mix more than enough, preparation is paramount in any Paint Project, as it's obvious in those awesome Paints you do, Some Nicely done Aircraft, thx for sharing... :)

Thanks for the tips

great vid!!! if you don't use the minwax I found out that if you use light coats of paint from walmart, get some 400 grit or higher sand paper and sand the paint each coat until its slick enough for you!!! I have use this many time but I have only used solid layouts. The sand paper helps with all the over spray you get from holding the can so far away during each coat!!! Hope this helps some people, keep the planes coming.

Chad - you're such a geek.... great stuff. :D

Thank you , you clear the method painting

awsome video. glad you addressed this subject. i really did not want to tape the entire plane up.

great works of arts

Awesome Chad. Thanks

Good to see Chad also presenting.

Thanks for the suggestion to strain. I use the same paints and thinner, and while I haven't had an issue w/ solids in the paint yet, good to have a solution ready!. Come to think of it, I have the same airbrush too! :-)

No need to be shy about your cammo-job on the Spitfire: it had MANY different cammo liveries- I'm sure you nailed one of them, anyway! Overall: BEAUTIFUL job!

great video. Thanks!

I just got through painting my old Fogey with Minwax exactly like Chad did and the paper on the foam started peeling off and puffs are everywhere. I used the correct Minwax (not water based) and brushed it on with an even coat, but not a heavy coat and any excess was removed. I am wondering if the type of foam has changed because now the FT Old Fogey I have can't get put together? ?

great tip!

Excellent. I had given up on my air brush " dual action" DOPF! Windex "Ahaaa"! We'll be breakin out the old Paasche again after all.

Great vídeo, very usefull, congratulations, i liked it!!!

@1:35 - Final Weight =116 lbs. After 2 years that still cracks me up & never gets old. Some of us miss Chad as well as David....how about a cameo appearance now and then?

Chad you are a goof HAHAHA, You cracked me up at the end, Another great video and very helpful info now I can paint my planes and the other guys at the field can quit ribbing me about my " paper planes". Thank you and keep up the great work

great tips thanks

Hi flitetest! If you want very soft lines for your camo, you can in fact use bluetac! I use it on plastic models, and it's great! Robin

final weight 116 lbs LOL! thanks for the info

thanks for the cool video

hey guys I have a question and maybe you guys can help, I have a multiplex funman which is build with elapor foam and I want to paint it like a navy/marines scheme (obviously nothing historically accurate) because I have decals from an old corsair kit that will fit. can I paint the foam with Tamiya acrylics or is there something that will work better?

Thanks Guys!!! AWESOME!!

Great tips thanks a bunch :D

Great Tips ........Thanks

great vid

Minwax makes a wipe on oil based polyurethane that doesn't go on too thick, has good control, and works beautifully. It comes in gloss or satin. Personally, I LOVE the stuff.

And old painting tip from the old days: instead of masking with masking tape, use freezer tape--it's doesn't have so much stick, so it won't pull up the paint underneath so much. Also, once the tape is down, run a fingernail along the edge, making sure it's tight to the surface, then mist lightly with a clear coat along the tape edge. Then shoot color, and pull the tape up (pulling back along itself to cut the paint sharply) before it cures completely.

cool stuff!

Love the channel and the vids guys! As a Canadian with 34 years in full scale military a/c maintenance, I would love to see DeHavilland aircraft modeled in an affordable way. I'm a total R/C rookie but would love to see aircraft like the Chipmunk, Otter, Caribou and especially the Buffalo modeled. All amazing fliers that have stood the test of time. Just throwing out ideas! Keep up the great and entertaining work. Frank

At about the 1:03 mark it is stated not to use the water base MinWax; I have used it on foam board several times with excellent results. Just do very light coats with a "foam brush" applicator; I usually do 3 light coats prior to painting. The water base dries very quickly and has practically no odor, just don't get much on the applicator and spread it thin and even.

For a softer controlled edge, use cardboard templates. Makes for awesome camo! I'm STILL looking for that plane!

excelent tips thank you

Thanks guys.

Yes, more videos

Thanks Chad!

Ok,so..can the Polyuerathane be applied after the foam pieces have been assembled, say,the curved pieces,without damaging them?

Awesome!

Paasche VL - I love mine!

Awesome! Make a video where you actually show the paint brushing :) Keep it up guys!

Final weight 116 LBS. Nice! Excellent tips. Could you use Min wax with an airbrush?

Flitetest is bae

Another tip that may help people with their paint jobs. After you finish your paint job, spray a lite coat of S C Johnson "Pledge Future Floor Finish" through your air brush over the paint job. It will preserve and protect the paint. Not my idea, found it on another forum and have used it and it works!

Thank you very much. If I want to paint on a foam core board with normal artist brushes, do I need to prime the foam board with gesso first please?

Thanks chad, It'd be nice to try my hand at air brushing, one day.

Great tips. If you have a PNP plane with no paper would you also use the polyurethane?

That would be awesome.

The Does the minwax help the paper from not coming off the foam? I recently bought the mighty mini sporster, but the paper was delaminating and flite test sent me a new one. Please let me know! Thanks

Lunhill 12: That is an excellent method. I use it to great affect. Just a tip that I didn't know on my first attempt. Press the edges down FIRMLY. I had a lot of bleeding underneath. Do not use Play-Doh. Just don't. I know.

You can also use my favorite...Windshield washer fluid. The methyl alcohol in it work perfectly to thin cheap Walmart , Michaels or Hobby-Lobby acrylic paints. I use two parts paint and one part WWF...then strain it through cheesecloth by putting cheesecloth under lid of storage bottle....a VERY important step. Harbour Freight has a great dual action brush for cheap.......The tip about the standard minwax is priceless!..I use Waterbase clear polycrylic as tough , glossy last coat

did you use airbrush paint for polycarbonate paint? after you applied the minwax polyurethane ofcourse.

Try using drafting masking tape since it has lower adhesion and is therefore less likely to pull the first color off the model.

Just super curious about this airbrushing: Are you guys going over the packing tape you use on these builds? Does the finish last in that application very well? Also, if you arent how are the posterboard sections attatched?

I've just watched another FT video showing not polyurethane but polycrylic. This looks much simpler as you put the polyurethane directly onto the foam board without having to strip the paper.

If it is available in your area, I would recommend Blue "Painters Tape" it is designed to tack down well but is easier to remove than plain Masking tape... You can find it in most hardware stores at a good price, and many 3D printer companies also carry it (at outrageous prices).

Have you tried tinting the poly (any paint stores can probably do this) and then thinning with naptha for spraying?

All the inks of createx can be applied in styrofoam? The minwax pu does not melt the styrofoam?

Awesome

I have used rubbing alcohol 70%-90% with good results. It works with epoxy too!

hi from Ecuador Please i need to know wich are the brands of the pigments thank you i hope you help me

Your videos are awesome! I had a hard time figuring out what i need to buy to build an foam board RC airplane, since i live in germany and we have no "foam board", from now on things will get funny: Foam board is called "LEICHTSTOFFPLATTE" and minwax is "PU-GIESSMASSE" i guess... correct me if i'm wrong here... isn't our language beautyful? xD

Hola chicos espectacular muy bueno. Les mando un saludo muy grande para todos desde Buenos Aires Argentina 😃👍👍.

when you spray thee first lite coat let it dry a little and the second heaver cot will stick to the first cote and it wont run and you will get a nice paint job