Your MG that started off as a hull

[macdon]

i must admit i like the older style with no scoops just the turbine ports sticking up but you hit it wright on the nose looks just like the new Geico, good job now if you guys make some turbine ports to look like my MG has turbines in it id be intrested for all three of my Geico's..

Hello Jerry,

I dont know if the pics below is what you meant about turbine ports, but after I answered some posts here on this thread, I went ahead in making another mockup from pics I saw in google.
With an extra fiberglass MG canopy I had laying around, I grinded off the 2 air intakes and drew the design. I was a bit limited in both depth & width as I didnt want the design to hinder any electronics inside the boat. The width of the lip where the canopy sits is also wide - about 1/2" wide, so they limited my adaptation of design to fit within those parameters.

I am also planning to score some panel lines for added details and finally see if this would be viable for molding.

LMK what you guys think.

[macdon]

Sorry Macdon, I don't recall if it was you or someone else who told me you don't have to use clear coat on these. If that's true is there a spray paint that would work and end up giving a nice glossy finish without clear coat? My idea would be to mask off the window areas then starting from the rear of the canopy paint a coat of yellow and fading to red in the front. I might go for a metalic bronze for the windows. If I can do this with spray paint I'd have no problem doing this myself. Heres are photos of a truck I did this to.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]65583[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]65584[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]65585[/ATTACH]

Hi Eric,

I hate to admit it, but painting is my waterloo........Lol!

With painting a clear lexan rc bodies that you paint from the inside, the clear lexan will show a glossy presentation. However, painting outside the shell really needs a top coat to really shine and protect your paint work. you can probably get by with choosing high gloss paints, but wont you feel more secured in protecting your work by sealing it with a top coat?

As for the fading effect, I would prefer using an airbrush. Paint it closer in solids and further for the fading. I think you can also do this using paint spray cans, but it takes some skills. From what I can see in your Revo above, I believe you can do it!

[tagasagwan]

Macdon,

try to check and search turbinemarine.com and maybe you'll get some idea on the turbine ports and exhaust. Then, try to play around on how to corelate it on your mg canopy.

Btw, it was fun hanging around at your place. We should have those boat building sessions more often. If the work schedule permits that is! Also thanks for getting my favorite watermelon juice. Hehehe! I'll bring some mongo hopia next time. See you at the rc boaters club christmas party on sunday!

Stephen

[srislash]

Now we're talking.

Hello Jerry,

I dont know if the pics below is what you meant about turbine ports, but after I answered some posts here on this thread, I went ahead in making another mockup from pics I saw in google.
With an extra fiberglass MG canopy I had laying around, I grinded off the 2 air intakes and drew the design. I was a bit limited in both depth & width as I didnt want the design to hinder any electronics inside the boat. The width of the lip where the canopy sits is also wide - about 1/2" wide, so they limited my adaptation of design to fit within those parameters.

I am also planning to score some panel lines for added details and finally see if this would be viable for molding.

LMK what you guys think.

[ecoovert]

Thanks macdon,

The photos above are of a 1/16 scale E-Revo with more areas that were difficult to spray paint into. It would seem that paintinmg the MG-29 canopy eould not be as hard. My dad does have an airbrush so I might ask him if I can use it. Now I'll go back and check out the preveous posts to see if I can find the clear coat others are using. By the way macdon, whoever painted your canopies did a good job.

[HYDROJERRY]

Macdon, that would be sweet looking, you went way farther on getting it wright then i thought,,,great job, i think it would look better without the top airram and dumb question but could you make the turbine ports alittle less exact so with the hatch on the hull the inner hatch could still be used???

[macdon]

Macdon,

try to check and search turbinemarine.com and maybe you'll get some idea on the turbine ports and exhaust. Then, try to play around on how to corelate it on your mg canopy.

Btw, it was fun hanging around at your place. We should have those boat building sessions more often. If the work schedule permits that is! Also thanks for getting my favorite watermelon juice. Hehehe! I'll bring some mongo hopia next time. See you at the rc boaters club christmas party on sunday!

Stephen

Yes, I think I stumbled to that site when I was searching google for some cat turbine pics. I got the idea from a 50' Mystic I saw.
Had a blast talking shop with you as well - maybe the next time would be a boat building session? See ya Sunday!

[macdon]

Thanks macdon,

The photos above are of a 1/16 scale E-Revo with more areas that were difficult to spray paint into. It would seem that paintinmg the MG-29 canopy eould not be as hard. My dad does have an airbrush so I might ask him if I can use it. Now I'll go back and check out the preveous posts to see if I can find the clear coat others are using. By the way macdon, whoever painted your canopies did a good job.

I have a 1/18 X-Ray MT that my 8yr old is waiting on for the longest time. I cant seem to decide what & how to paint the clear body. Maybe I'll just score a painted body online instead?
Any painted stuff I have here was done by my fiberglasser - he's not a painter but does a decent job of painting single colored items. He paints, sands, paints again, then sands again, etc. I dont have any patience doing that.....Lol!

Stephen (Tagasagwan) is meticulous in painting and he does great work. If not for his day job, I'd throw him all my stuff that needs painting! hahaha!

[macdon]

Macdon, that would be sweet looking, you went way farther on getting it wright then i thought,,,great job, i think it would look better without the top airram and dumb question but could you make the turbine ports alittle less exact so with the hatch on the hull the inner hatch could still be used???

Thanks Jerry - appreciate the support, bud!

Yeah, the top air ram actually belongs to those "add-on" items that I'm developing for the MG - a sorta like mix n match your own Geico canopy. I had to glue it down to the canopy so that when it gets molded, it'll fit the slope of the stock canopy. Since I was using my last remaining fiberglass canopy - I thought I'd shoot 2 birds with 1 bullet, so to speak.

Ahh yes, the stock tupperware lid - the one thing I didnt consider as I dont have/use one. In cases such as this, you could probably get by with a fiberglass canopy that doesnt have the 2 air scoops on the side - just the bubble canopy. Stick a round black decal/sticker to represent a hole, then stick a 1" diameter x 1/4" height pvc plastic pipe painted in either black or aluminum to serve as the turbine port. Easy, eh?

In my defense, a lot of MG owners are upgrading their motors to a bigger size - thus they dont use the tupperware lid anymore and upgrade to a fiberglass canopy or strengthening their stock plastic canopy instead.
The 1/2" deep turbine cutout hole really adds depth & realism to the canopy, which is why I went for it.

[macdon]

Onee of my reference pics.........

[srislash]

I love it Macdon.I may have to keep my eyes peeled for a good hull so I can have different canopies.I couldn't match my Miss Behavin' in a million years.

[ecoovert]

Hi there Tagasagwan,

I was considering having Macdon make me an f.g. canopy for my MG hull. I understand I'd have to paint it and wanted to ask you firs of all if there is a clear coat or something similar that can be sprayed over spray paint to protect it. I also was wandering if there existed a spray paint that would be durable and would provide a glossy finish. I would like to paint my canopy with a red on the front end fading to a yellow in the back and probably with a metalic blue window. Kind of like the photos I have here of my 1/16th scale E-Revo.

Miss Geico project 3 062.jpgMiss Geico project 3 064.jpg

I might also ask my dad If I can use his air-brush but never having used one I'm not sure if I'm ready for that. If I chose to use the air-brush are there types of paint that work best for fiberglass? If so what are they and I heard there is a inexpensive clear coat type product available, have you heard of it?

[macdon]

Hi Eric,
Im sure Stephen (tagasagwan) would share his input once he sees your query, but while waiting for his response - permit me to add my .02 cents.
Most any kind of paint adheres to fiberglass - may it be enamel, acrylic, lacquer, etc. Our favorite is acrylic/lacquer as it is the kind paint used in automobiles - so it is durable.
Here in the Philippines, there are literally thousands of small paint shops/mixers wherein we could buy any kind of paint in any sizable container - from half a pint to gallons to drums. These shops also mixes paint - either from their swatches to even colors you find in magazines.
In our shop, we use a paint gun and a compressor - same type that you see in automobile garages that paint cars.
Paint, thinner, sandpaper & top coat are the 4 main components of painting - but make sure you get the type of thinner based on the type of paint you got. I dunno if top coat also depends on paint type.

What does your dad use his airbrush for? After using a single color on your airbrush/paint gun, make sure to wash them with the thinner - spray the thinner like you spray the paint so it cleans the airbrush totally. Borrow your dad's airbrush and practice by using water color either on newspaper, cardboard or whatever scratch medium you could find around the house. Ask your dad also if his airbrush is single action or double action.

Spray paint cans would be the most convenient, less hassle and probably cheapest - that is if you dont have any other components required for painting at your disposal. However, you cannot control the amount of spray unlike using an airbrush. You also have to conform with what available colors that are available.
With the way you painted your Revo above, I doubt if any of my statements above could further help you as you seem to have done a great job in painting it. I dont think I could even attempt that style. I use to do 'fading' style with my clear lexan bodies some 20+ yrs ago - I think its easier to do fading with clear material which results to a reverse style as you paint the inside, but the effect is outside.
In painting solid items, it'll be like showing the inside of your revo body.

[tagasagwan]

Hi Eric,

It's great if you can use your dad's air brush. The best way to get a glossy finish and protect your paint is to use a clear coat. Take your time and prep your canopy well. The end result of your work will depend on how well you prep your canopy. Bondo the deep surface and wetsand until you get a smooth surface. Avaid touching the area to be painted with your bare hands or anything oily. It will affect how well your paint sticks to your canopy. It's better to make multiple thin coats than 1 thick coat. Be patient! I always wait 3-5 hours between coats. Take extra care not to spray in places that are dusty or has small insects. These may stick to your painted canopy. After you spray your color paints lightly wet sand with high grit sand paper after every coat. I use 2000grit. Do the same with the top coat. Then finally, use a rubbing compund to polish your finished product. The most important thing is to always use protective gears. I'm not an expert in painting. I'm just sharing what I know and how I paint my rc's. Lately I got too busy to paint my own rc so with my last build, I let the experts over at Toyota Motors Philippines paint my yellow boat. Hehehe! They used the actual pearl yellow paint of the new Lexus LFA. That's the yellow boat on my avatar. The hull and canopy was made by Macdon. Hehehe!

[HYDROJERRY]

Not to toot my own whistle but i just did this proline body for my slash 4x4,, not to bad for my second time using an airbrush, i did all the foxracing logos and all the body painting, the rest is just stickers,,,
Macdon im liking yours waybetter maybe i should just toss the inner lid so one of yours would fit!!