Canopy Painted

I painted the canopy and the yellow stripe on the fuselage this weekend. I also put the plane back in the garage and started putting things back together. It's amazing how much a little paint makes it look close to being finished. The two big parts left to paint are the wings and cowling.

More Fuselage Paint

I've painted the bottom half of the fuselage white and when it dries, I'll tape and mask for the yellow stripe and then I'll be through with the fuselage other than two small inspection doors and the rudder cable covers. The yellow in the picture below is just tape that defines the upper edge where the yellow stripe will go. More accurately, I'm using blue 3M Vinyl Tape for the actual paint edge and the yellow 3M Automotive Refinishing Tape covers the back edge and gives me a larger place to attach the plastic sheeting. I'll cover the top edge of the white the same way.

Changing Paint Colors

Last night I was taping and masking the fuselage prior to painting the bottom half white. I was using bright yellow tape and decided I really liked how the yellow looked next to the blue. So, I quickly got my color consultant (Paula) to come out and look and she enthusiastically approved the change. I was going to have the blue and white touch and then have a black stripe below that seam. In the picture below, I taped white paper below the yellow tape stripe to simulate how it will look.

Another inspiration was the Renault F1 Racing Team. I saw their F1 racing car a few years ago and liked the colors. Paula likes the idea of a dark blue pinstripe around the yellow. I also thought about adding text inside the yellow banner.

Painting Fuselage

Here are the results of my SECOND painting of the fuselage. I did not like my first attempt as there were too many runs so I stripped it and did it again. It turned out much better this time. I think the problem was too much humidity. I told my dad that I've acquired a skill that I didn't want to have - stripping paint.

I also changed the line dividing the paint colors. I lowered the line to have more blue. In the picture below, you can see blue covering the air inlet on the side whereas before it was above the inlet. Next, I'll mask the top and paint the lower section white which will match the bottom that is already painted.

Finished Scuffing Fuselage

I finished scuffing the fuselage last night and hope to paint this weekend. I'll do the tape and masking tonight and tomorrow night. With the tail off, I should be able to move it into the paint booth by myself.

Finished Painting Horizontal Stabilizer

I stripped and repainted the horizontal stabilizer. Actually, just the right side where two June bugs landed in wet paint (on the top side naturally) and then tried to crawl out making a big mess. In the reflection starting at the bottom right you can see the airplane and propeller with the cowl off. In the center is the paint booth and overhead garage door and to the left is my red pickup and the stars and strips wind sock.

Fuselage Prep With Austin

Austin was home a week early for Father's Day as he will be gone next week. He's helping scuff the fuselage prior to paint.

Fuselage Paint Line

I traced the tape line that will divide the blue and white paint so I can reapply it after priming the fuselage plus I can duplicate the pattern on the other side. Remember in school when you used the edge of your pencil lead like charcoal? Maybe the saying is true that everything you need to know in life you learned in kindergarten.