PE do I paint it.

[Guest]

This is probably a stupid question !!!!!

Got this PE for the Merlin Helicopter which looks very good. Apart from a few seat belts and cockpit bits and pieces dials etc i have not really entered this world.

The picture below is of the external bits and pieces.

Some pieces have a colouring some are just clear brass in colour.

Presume for instance the large window surrounds which are are fawny colour are not painted !!!

Some bits are brass colour. Are these left as brass or painted after fixing ?

Laurie[ATTACH]83312.IPB[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]83313.IPB[/ATTACH]

[downscale model art]

laurie. they need to be painted. its down to your own preference either to paint them onthe fret or attach and paint after. always best to prime them first but i must admit to just painting them as they are.

[Guest]

Thanks Rob. Had a feeling that may be the answer.

Seems a lot of trouble sticking these things on then to paint them. I suppose they give a 3d(ish) effect.

Some of the pieces have a weathered effect. If I paint those I will lose that. I do wish some of these people would give better than minimal instructions.

I am beginning to wonder if I use the PE as it may take away the authenticity. Must do a trial I think.

Laurie

[eddiesolo]

Yes, they will need to be painted Laurie.

Si

[BarryW]

Good luck with that Laurie. Some people I know love it and make it work for them but I have to say that I do not get on with pe at all and am finding far too much of it in my Trumpy Avenger....... I am convinced the Trumpy p.e. is a Chinese torture!!!

[Guest]

Thanks Barry. After looking at the 100 pieces of PE on the sheet I did wonder if I and the model actually needed it.

Seat belts and an array of dials and those finished things seemed to have a point. To plaster the model with these 100 or so then paint over them seemed to be a wasted effort. I am also worried that they may take away some of he authenticity.

Chinese torture try next a Tamiya 1/48 Swordfish ?

Laurie

[Guest]

One challenge with PE when painted is the paint flaking off, particularly if you flex or move the PE after painting. For the best durable finish you should use an etching primer first, which is acidic and will eat into the surface of the metal to ensure the best adhesion.

For most static models though normal painting should be OK but for say a working model it might be worth considering. Etching primer is available in rattle cans and it is easiest to spray the whole fret first then to usually do the detail painting after the parts have been fitted. That is, as usual though, only one method!!

[Guest]

Richard I think you are turning the screw on me not using PE except where it has its own finish.

In logic it seems to me that I am going to expend a lot of time in using PE for probably not much enhancement when that time could be spent fabricating another model.

Why was I born such an optimist with pessimistic tenancies. Work that out Einstein.

Laurie

[eddiesolo]

PE can look great in enhancing certain models, boats for example, or tanks regarding barrels, vents etc, even certain aircraft can benefit. But as you say Laurie a lot of it will be lost when built. I cannot get on with it either, too fiddly for my old eyes and shaky hands. Are you going to thin it out and use just what you want or are you going to not bother?

Si

[Guest]

Yes Si that is about my interpretation.

Think I will try some and see. There are window surrounds. Now the model has quite well detailed surrounds. The PE enhancement well probably debatable and if the PE is not perfect when fitted then not as good as the original.

Laurie

[Guest]

I emailed Eduard Support. Repy in 15 hours which include night hours.

This is what they said. So thanks for all the replies from you members much appreciated.

Petra Šolcová (Eduard Support)

Jun 05 12:11

Dear Sir,

the colour of the fret parts / PE pieces is not an intention. Its one piece of metal which goes throught the etching process and depending on the size of the pieces and their thickness, the metal acts differently depending on those measures and comes out in different coloures. So its not an intention and you dont have to take attention to the colour of the different pieces, once painted the surface will show no diferencies.

Hope this explanation is clear.

Have a nice day.

Petra

Petra Solcova

[Guest]

This is probably a stupid question !!!!!Got this PE for the Merlin Helicopter which looks very good. Apart from a few seat belts and cockpit bits and pieces dials etc i have not really entered this world.

The picture below is of the external bits and pieces.

Some pieces have a colouring some are just clear brass in colour.

Presume for instance the large window surrounds which are are fawny colour are not painted !!!

Some bits are brass colour. Are these left as brass or painted after fixing ?

Laurie[ATTACH]83513[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]83512[/ATTACH]

Mate, always paint the silver coloured PE and Brass coloured ones. The pre coloured ones such as the likes of eduard that I always use should just be left alone and applied with cyanoacrylate glue (superglue) the thinner varieties are more effective for PE though. The eduard PE are always top quality as well.

John