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.