How to paint yellow tips on props

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi everyone,

I’m having trouble with the yellow tip on the props. I normally paint the props black then when dried I follow with the yellow. most times the yellow paint cracks and is not even. I would love to pick everyone’s brain on how they get a top finish. I’ve tried this with both enamel and acrylic paints. Do you tape off the area you want to paint or do you brush or spray?

Cheers Leo

2

Hi Leo,

here are two ways which work for me:

  • Spray the prop blade black (or whatever the main colour is). enamel. When this has dried thoroughly (at least overnight) carefully brush-paint the tips yellow. this will take at least two coats, so use acrylic. If need be, then touch up the black.

This method works best if you have a steady hand, and on single-engined aircraft in 1/72 or smaller.

  • Spray the prop blade yellow, and let it dry overnight. Determine the width of the tip area that needs to stay yellow, cut Tamiya tape to the appropriate width, and mask the tips. Then spray the rest of the prop black. When dry, remove the tip masking, and touch up if necessary.

This method works best for large-scale, and/ or multi-engine models.

Cheers,

Chris.

3

Yellow is a colour that is always very translucent. I would therefore paint the yellow on first, mask the tips of (with tamiya tape) an paint black.

As for cracks in paint: makes sure the base paint is fully cured before painting over it.

4

A primer coat under the yellow helps also. I should normally spray the yellow tips, let them dry (this can take two or three thin coats (you’ll get better coverage with thin coats than with a thick coat) Flat sprays better than gloss in my opinion. Once the yellow is dry, mask the tip and then paint the black areas. Following this you can weather the prop as needed. JMHO.

5

Leo,

I found easiest way to paint the propeller tips and keep a sharp, straight line is to lay the hobby knife edge on the propeller blade and lightly score a grove 2 mm (or whatever is the proper length of the yellow from the tip.) Sparingly and CAREFULLY paint the tip. The paint will flow to the line and stop.

HTH!

RJ

6

I first spray flat white primer on the tips of the prop blades, not bothering to mask and just making sure to spray past the area that will be yellow, After spraying the yellow over the primed areas, I then mask off the tips and spray the rest of the blades black.

Mark

7

I paint the blades black, then let them dry overnight. I then take small pieces of tape and mask the blade where the tip is to end. I then line up a second piece with the first on the back side of the blade and get a perfectly exposed tip for the yellow. Once all the blades are taped, I take the blades and dip them directly into the yellow paint can. I don’t have to mask the whole blade, just enough to protect it from the edges of the paint can.

8

Generally… I paint the prop tips flat white… then when dry I follow with yellow. I just spray the ends loose ( without a mask) when it dries, I then mask off the tips the desired size and spray the blades black. You can also center the prop with a circle template to check that your tips are evenly applied… not one too small or too big…

9

I do it the lazy way and I usually have good results, I buy a bottle of the 1/2 oz Testors flat yellow and I simply dip the propellor tip into the paint. No fuss, no muss…

10

I can never get them right,…so I just send the out to Earl Sheib’s…he will paint anything for $99…[:P]

11

I never thought of that, and that is a great idea! I may have to try it. I like its simplicity, especially compared to extensive/excessive masking efforts.

12

I do it the old-school way (Like there’s another?)… I just brush it on over the black… I don’t mind that the yellows I use(Testor’s or Model Master Enamel only) are a bit translucent, since I think that the bright yellow is a bit too yellow, so the bleed-through tones it down perfectly… I also use a Testor’s Paint Marker from time to time…

13

I’m with hans, that’s how I do it too. I’m a low-tech modeler. Most props in kits have a line at the end of the prop tip anyhow, I just use that and brush paint the yellow tip over the black very carefully.

14

I just guestimate and paint the tips. I sould try scoring a line just to get that even look though. Off to the pool now for a quick swim, weather lovely, suuny and warm!!![H]

15

I do mine like many other modelers. After the black is dry, I use a small piece of tape as a masking guide. When the front is dry, I mask the the back side of the prop. I too use Model Master yellow.

16

I do the white primer as described above. Let it sit overnight, mask and paint the black.

17

I’m another old schooler. I’ve done the dip in paint bottle method.

Usually , after painting black and letting dry a day or two, then paint the tips with a couple thin coats of yellow.

For consistent tips, I use a small flat brush the width I want and use that as a guide. Stay perpendicular to each prop blade tip and get fairly regular tips.

18

Hi everyone,

Thanks for everyone’s imput. There a few methods listed and will try all of them to see which gets the best results.

Thanks again

Leo

19

I rattlecan the prop black in the early stages of construction and hand brush the yellow (Testors enamel) near the end of the project.

Like Hans von Hammer, I don’t mind the tip being a little tranlucent.

20

I’m going to have to try some of these-my first attempt on my Mustang prop was less than satisfactory.