Okay, don’t laugh… but this is my first plane I am adding a PE set to. Did a few searches and got quite a lot of advice on PE sets in general. Now for PE 101…
This is an Eduard PE set for a 1:48 Hasegawa F-4J. Now for the really stupid questions… [:I] Starting with the cockpit. You have the bent PE parts to be stuck together, with a black backing sheet (dials). Once this have been built… to be blunt… what then? From the detail set instructions it’s unclear as to whether I need some more stuff backing the black dial detail - which would make sence, otherwise you’d be rather stumped for not being able to see it inside a dark cockpit. Or does these parts get “added” on top of the original kit parts (which does not make sence to me) ?
I also assume stuff like the outside grills just get added “on top” of the existing ones. Or do you cut out the whole original grill-area and then add the grill in there?
As I said - please don’t laugh (too much) and heeeeelp!! I am very much looking forward to this venture. So much so that I bent my first piece this morning (came out beautifully - bends very nicely!) on my wife’s birthday!! Was nearly shot… [;)]
Most pe instrument sets assmble as folows. Sand off the detail on the original part. Take the instrument film and turn it over and paint the back of the dials with the different colors. i.e. the gyro is usally half blue half black. You do not have to be exact as over painting will not show on the front. Then paint the whole back white. When you turn the film over the colors show through the clear parts of the film. then trim the film to fit and not overlap the pe pannel. Carefully apply super glue or elmers glue to the back of the pannel that you should have painted grey. press the film to the back of the pannel so instruments line up with holes then glue entire piece to the original plastic pannel.
Thanks! I got hold of an article explaining the painting as well, but the one thing I still wasn’t sure about, you at least confirmed. That it needs to be put onto the original parts as well.
I was wondering about that a lot, because I couldn’t see the sence in backing it up with the original part if you go through the effort of bending and assembling the whole thing on its own. Why don’t they (the PE companies) then only supply us with the panels itself and not go through the “effort” of gluing it all together. Oh well, goes to show! Thanks for putting me out of my misery.
Yes that is the most poular way to do them. however, I do like to use white glue on instuments and their backings. I also prefer to paint the kit or plastic part rather than the clear film. paint doesn’t stick too well to acetate. Then i use white glue spread thinly over the paint and over the film to glue the assembly together. this gives you a bit more time to line everything up, and since the glue dries clear, it gives the appearence of glass over the dials without the mess.
It is a good idea to take the PE part to be glued and sand the back with 800 grit or finer to eliminate reidue from the gluing area. This step takes about 5 seconds max per piece. you only need to go back and forth two or three times. It gives the glue a bit more strength and will help with the multi piece parts.
To aid in bending the PE, you may need to soften the metal. Use a small torch or alcohol burner( candle is too weak) to heat the parts to red hot and let them cool at room temp. This will allow you to bend and roll parts like seat belts to give them a more natural look and not like a rigid piece of metal.