Hello All.
I’ve painted the wheel wells of my 1/72 P-47D bubble top, have assembled the wings and done all my seam repair, and am ready to paint the plane.
BUT I’m not sure how to protect the wheel wells from the paint that will cover the underside of the A/C. (I haven’t made up my mind if I’m doing “natural metal” or doing grey/olive drab.)
Any suggestions?
I always stuff them full of silly putty. It comes right off and works very well as a mask. Other people like to use bits of tissue and slightly wet it as they go. That seems to work pretty well for them also.
My gear wells always seem to be full of things that would break off if I use Silly Putty, but it does work very well in some circumstances.
I personally always use tape on wheel wells. Stick a piece on the inside of the well, and then fold it over to cover the well itself.
I’m a wet tissue kind of guy, just keep layering it in there and it has never failed me yet, same thing with cockpit openings, tailwheel etc.
Steve
A foolproof and very quick way to mask wheel wells, (which I use every time with great success), is by using air conditioning foam insulation. I tear off a piece a little oversized for the wheel well and then stuff it in along the edges after it expands within.
Gil
little late now, but i usually try to paint the wheel wells after the plane itself is painted. i feel its easier to mask around the well (which is generally a flatter,broader surface) and paint it , as opposed to trying to mask and protect something from overspray in a usually small , cluttered (with detail parts),and confined space. plus you don’t run the risk of breaking any parts off if you were to try stuffing something in the wheel well.