Valom 1/72 scale Sukhoi SU-6 AM-42

[KSaarni]

Looks super!

- Kari

[BlackSheep214]

PAINT!!!

After 2 years of not picking up an airbrush, it wasn't long for to get the hang of it.
I have decided to go with Testors Model Master Enamel (#2033) Blue FS35414 instead of Russian Underside Blue Grey.




I'm gonna let this one cure and dry completely before moving on to painting the topside.

[KSaarni]

must have felt good airbrushing paint again after 2 years !

- Kari

[Stikpusher]

Hooray for efforts and results! Great to see that you’re getting back in the saddle Blacksheep!

[BlackSheep214]

I was having trouble with my Paasche single action airbrush after a cleaning session when I was ready to spray the topside green. I literally tore down the nozzle piece and cleaned it again. Come to find out, there was some blockage in the nozzle (debris from pipe cleaner). Put it all back together and tried spraying again. No paint comes out, just air. Took it down again, replace it with new nozzle. It worked.... sort of. Sprays paint off and on even when I open up the nozzle flow a bit. Paint is thinned.

So I tried again using a jar attachment with water to figure out the problem. Water comes out when I made a few adjustments. Went back to paint green topside, fighting me the whole painting session. At least I was able to paint the topside. Will post pics later.

Broke it down for another cleaning session, ran the jar attachment with water, sprayed water when it cooperates.

I started to feel air leaking from the hose neck around the seal. (Will post pics what I’m talking about) I’m suspecting the rubber seal is worn out and damaged. Time to get a new hose.

It’s been a frustrating afternoon...

[speedgraflex]

I caught up with all of your activities so far, BlackSheep214 Tom! You are making great strides, and your hard work is paying off handsomely! Great color! However, I was sorry to read about your airbrush becoming a problem. You will fix this, I know. Looking forward to the topside progress next. All the best.

[BlackSheep214]

More progress!! Paint is done!!

Propeller painted! The dark dot in the middle is the nose MG




Propeller installed




Aviation lights painted on topside and underside







You can see the broken/torn rubber seal around the hose clamp. This is where I'm getting the air leak during my painting sessions. I couldn't even do a back flush into the paint jar while cleaning.




Next... the fiddly bits, rigging, and decals!!

[speedgraflex]

Looks superb! Sorry about the issue with the airbrush. Are you able to repair this?

[BlackSheep214]

Looks superb! Sorry about the issue with the airbrush. Are you able to repair this?

After soaking the nozzle pieces in thinner for a few hour to loosen any dried paint inside, I discovered tiny pieces of cotton (yes, cotton) inside the opening of the needle as I was blowing out air to flush out thinner inside. I was like "Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot?!? How the hell!?!"

I managed to pull them out carefully. I could never figure out how it got there. Probably from a past cleaning session a couple years ago? I'll never know. No wonder I was having spraying difficulties.

[Stikpusher]

I’ve had the cotton fibers turn up in my airbrush too. Usually shortly after using a cotton swab for cleaning the portion that attaches the paint cup or jar. I try to use pipe cleaners for that mostly but it’s hard to get the same level of cleaning pressure in that area.

Bummer about the air leak on the hose, but at least replacement hoses do not cost much. With the 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby, they can be had for a fine price.