Scale painting just got a whole lot easier

[Jigman]

For real quick and simple scales, make up a scale jig. Take one of those plastic storage boxes (like you would store nuts and bolts in) that has an opening in the front. Stretch your scale mesh over top and attach to the sides. Duct tape works for this Add a little weight to the bottom of the box. You can place the hose from your shop vac in this to suck up the over spray. To do the scales, paint your base color as usual and let dry. Once dry, stick the plug in the box (I usually have them with a piece of wire in the tail) and pull up so that the mesh wraps tight against the plug. Hit it lightly with your airbrush or spray can. Drop the plug down, flip, and pull the other side up on the mesh. Paint again. Scales in under 5 seconds

Jigman

[Jigman]

Found an old photo of one in action that will give a better idea of what I'm talking about.

Jigman

[MAC]

Thanks Steve. Looks like an easier way than I am doing them.

[ProfessorM]

Great ideas guys.

[Bob Thomas]

Steve,

When you remove the mesh, does it leave any scratches at all? I tried something like that and after 2 days of drying, it came off and scratched the underpaint.

Nice idea!

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Bob Thomas

Steve,

When you remove the mesh, does it leave any scratches at all? I tried something like that and after 2 days of drying, it came off and scratched the underpaint.

Nice idea!

Bob, this stuff is soft. Plus when done you simply spread it apart and it still holds it shape.

[humphrys]

Hi,
Hope it works. I'm going to get some and try it. I thought that I was onto something with the mesh joint tape used for wall board that is sticky, but it didn't well, or I did something wrong.

Post some pics of finised plugs.

thanks,
john