Body Finishing

[paulr]

 What about painting the Toylander ?  Have people used undercoat or mdf sealer before painting.  What type of paint is a good one normal household gloss or cellulose car paint, have you sprayed or brush painted.  I am thinking that although I have access to spraying gear that I will brush paint as it will be easier to repaint any damage and I can do it in the garden shed weather permitting or if I ask nicely wife may paint it herself in the house and also I can do bits as I go along rather than waiting to have a big spraying session..  Hope you all enjoyed Christmas and didnt over eat too much. Cant wait to be let loose out in the shed tomorrow.

[Gremlin]

Sealed mine with PVA glue, than a water based matt paint with a roller and brush.

Patrick

[multisync]

Hi Paul
I sealed the whole of bodywork, which is moisture resistant mdf, with mdf sealer. Then I sprayed with Halfords primer and sprayed topcoat in aerosols from Halfords. If I did it again I'd brush paint, as it's easier to repair damage. And I have some damage to repair after first day!
Walter

[markh15]

Hi Paul,
Just to add a little more confusion, I did mine in 1/2" ply, and smoothed the surface grain with plastic type 'Car Body' filler. I then sprayed the body with 'Grey Primer' to show up any imperfections. At this point, I could have either 'Spray' painted the body, or 'Brushed' the finish on.
When I was happy with it, I  applied the paint (exterior gloss from 'Range' stores) with foam rollers, flatting off with 240's 'Wet or Dry' between each coat.

The whole job cost around ?30, and as Walter has pointed out, it's easier to touch up when accidents occur!

Metal parts could be finished in Hammerite 'Smoothrite' for a durable finish. it's a little pricey, but can be applied without primer, and in slightly colder conditions.

Hope this helps,
Keep Busy,
Mark.

[brian]

Hello Paul and a merry Christmas.

I primed the MDF with mdf primer, although dilute.PVA glue will do as well. whatever you do, if when sanding coats down, you break through to the base MDF, don't be tempted to carry on with the next coat, it will show.  Just rub a bit of PVA into the damaged bit with your finger.

I then undercoated three coats with standard white undercoat.

Sand down between coats, wet and dry, 240 grade roughest down to 800 grade finnishing.

I used Red Yact varnish but can't say I am all that impressed with it and think that any good quality gloss paint would achieve the same results at less cost.

It was all applied with a good quality brush.

Brian.

[paulr]

Morning all, snow mostly gone in Derby, sun shining but as its about freezing outside the Toylander is sat inside, just putting a bit of filler in the front wing curved bits.  Then after I've made her a cuppa she can do the first coat of colour on the bodytub and engine bay, she did a good job last week with 2 coats of colour on the underside. We've worked out that we can get a coat on Saturday and then another on Sunday.  As it was cold outside last week the Toylander moved from room to room.  Thankfully everyone was at work and school so it wasnt too bad.  Bit too big though for a permanent coffee table.

[multisync]

Hi Paul
Cold and miserable here for last couple of days too, but a beautiful sunny day now, but still freezing!
Glad to see you've got a mature student/apprentice to help with the painting. I made the mistake of spraying mine, the car not the wife, but it's a problem now, we've had a couple of minor accidents, mostly parking damage, trying to get it in my junk filled garage, and touching up is a pain.
Keep at it
best wishes
walter