I enjoy personalizing my airplanes. Sometimes a bit of detail or color accent does the job. Recently, I picked up a Dynam Gee Bee Senior sportster, model Y. These planes bore very little resemblance to the barrel shaped R-1/ R-2 speed monsters, but they do have the characteristic scalloped red and white colors with a SMALL pinstripe between. The Dynam is not a bad plane as it comes, as long as you throw away the pushrods and make new ones, plus a few minor corrections.
But the paint job is way off, with the red more of a fluorescent orangey reddish color. The pin stripes varying in width as they follow the plane's own pattern. It's just like me not to leave well enough alone. It's a curse with which I live!
Now, to the point. I had to remove the paint that came on the model in order to lay things out for my own version. Only 2 of these planes were ever made. They both used the red/white combo. I tried alcohol. (both isopropyl and denatured) No luck. Nothing else seemed to want to work either, Then I hit on it and could hardly believe my eyes. Acetone works GREAT. It works on Dynam foam, and a number of others as well. Always check in a spot that won't show. Anyway, soak a paper towel with acetone, lay it over the paint you wish to remove for about ten seconds. Now, apply just a bit of pressure and wipe towards the nearest edge if possible. Throw away the towel after using only the clean parts of it (folding, etc.) You'll go through a bunch of paper towels, but stick with it. a 'nude' airplane will result, ready for your own design. Acetone also makes a great pre-paint wipe down. I'm a good deal older than most of the readers here, but you see; I can still learn a new trick or two! Now git out there and paint some cool airplanes! When I figure out how, I'll post a video or some examples of what can be done. Gosh I wish we could just get these planes in white!
Remember to work with plenty of ventilation (outside if possible) and use nitrile surgical type gloves (Harbor Freight). Work safely and you'll live to work a long time. What a great hobby!
Bill W.
But the paint job is way off, with the red more of a fluorescent orangey reddish color. The pin stripes varying in width as they follow the plane's own pattern. It's just like me not to leave well enough alone. It's a curse with which I live!
Now, to the point. I had to remove the paint that came on the model in order to lay things out for my own version. Only 2 of these planes were ever made. They both used the red/white combo. I tried alcohol. (both isopropyl and denatured) No luck. Nothing else seemed to want to work either, Then I hit on it and could hardly believe my eyes. Acetone works GREAT. It works on Dynam foam, and a number of others as well. Always check in a spot that won't show. Anyway, soak a paper towel with acetone, lay it over the paint you wish to remove for about ten seconds. Now, apply just a bit of pressure and wipe towards the nearest edge if possible. Throw away the towel after using only the clean parts of it (folding, etc.) You'll go through a bunch of paper towels, but stick with it. a 'nude' airplane will result, ready for your own design. Acetone also makes a great pre-paint wipe down. I'm a good deal older than most of the readers here, but you see; I can still learn a new trick or two! Now git out there and paint some cool airplanes! When I figure out how, I'll post a video or some examples of what can be done. Gosh I wish we could just get these planes in white!
Remember to work with plenty of ventilation (outside if possible) and use nitrile surgical type gloves (Harbor Freight). Work safely and you'll live to work a long time. What a great hobby!
Bill W.
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