Some Random Thoughts about Painting

Over the years, the Elves at Detailed Model Cars have been asked about the paint jobs on their Pocher models.  For the most part, the Elves dig their toes in the ground, stare up at the clouds, and mumble something about practice and cleanliness.  Occasionally, they might mention a name brand or two, and once in a while they may mumble something about sandpaper.  After thirty years of this behavior, most Pocher builders have grown tired of it, and, to be fair, so have the Elves.  This time the Elves are determined to reveal their secrets, and this time they will name names.  This time, they will explain how to get a Perfect Paint Job—a show car paint job—on any Pocher you want to build.  Well, that’s a lie.  A horrible lie.  The Elves are ashamed of their brazen disregard for the truth.  Instead, the idea here is to remind everyone of the basics:

Cleanliness—always a good policy in most circumstances, and when it comes to spray painting, a requirement.  Most of the dirt that falls into fresh paint comes from the painter.  Wear a hat.  Wear a tight-fitting apron that is not fuzzy and has not recently been on the ground.  Clean the floor.  Mop the ceiling.  Scrub the  heating ducts.  Roll up the wall-to-wall carpeting.  Avoid feather dusters.  Do not use compressed air to clean sawdust off the table saw.

Avoid aerosol cans.  Try never to use an aerosol paint.  The use of aerosol (known as “spray cans of paint” in some places) will encourage slovenly habits and vile language.  Dried up spray nozzles will waste paint and partially blocked nozzles will contribute to drips and runs with ruinous results.  Vigorous shaking can cause shoulder injuries.  If by some quirk of fate you achieve a good paint job with an aerosol, never tell anyone about your success because it may encourage other people to try it.  If you insist on using aerosol paints, be sure to skip any preparations and remember to change the vacuum cleaner bags immediately before spraying.  Above all, never practice using an aerosol can before you use it on a Pocher.  Practicing wastes paint.  Always a good idea to eat greasy French fries before touching the Pocher panels or the spray cans.

Avoid air brushes.  Air brushes, especially dual action gravity-feed premium guns from outfits like Iwata or Paasche are accidents waiting to happen.  Let one of these guns hit the garage floor and you can count on goofy spray patterns and sputtering paint.  Leave the paint in them over night, and the darned things quit working altogether.  And what are all those adjustments for?  Just crank up the compressor to fifty pounds and go for it.  

Real men don’t need no masks.

By now you may have concluded that these so-called Elves are actually a pack of lying weasels.  Harsh, but true.  Weasels to be sure, and lazy to the bone, but if you read between the lines, even these morons can reveal some useful hints:

Clean the work area

Clean the painter

Clean the body panels

Use the equipment you like best

Wear a proper mask

Do not practice on a Pocher.  Practice on soda cans or plastic drink containers.  If you can’t get a good finish on them, what makes you think the Pocher will be easier?

 

David Cox

 

(Editors note: David Cox is the co-founder of Model Motorcars)