Painting the Superstructure
I decided to leave
most small details off of the superstructure during painting. Then I will attach
these items after painting. I did add the mast head light due to the cutting
required to install it.
I made some changes to the tops of the
funnels. I decided to paint this area of the superstructure first. I
gave the superstructure a wash down with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to clean the
surface. This removes the sanding residue, grime or any finger prints (oils).
I sprayed a coat of black on the tops
of the funnels and the turbine intake grill first. After the paint was dry, I
inspected the added details I added to the tops of the funnels. I looked for any
flaws or voids around the brass tubing. When I was satisfied, I applied a second
coat of flat black. After the black paint was dried, I masked off the tops of the
funnels and the turbine intake grill.
Roger's Notes: You can see
from the picture, I tested a few colors on the superstructure before I picked my final
colors. You can see the dark gray on the weather decks identifying the areas where
the non-skid was painted. I changed this darker color to a lighter shade on the
final coats.
When the tops of the funnels where masked, I applied a coat
of gunship gray to the decks. When this was dry, I applied a second coat.
After the gunship gray was dry, I masked off the areas that where to remain gunship
gray. I marked back from the edges about 3/16". I then applied two coats
of dark ghost gray. I removed the masking tape when dry. |