Scale painting just got a whole lot easier
 

Found this stuff at AC Moore's ( Michael's has it too) Moldable wire mesh ( can be had in copper or aluminum) You can mold it to shape of plug and keep it that way for time after time's use. 3 different sizes of scale opening, this is 1/8" pattern) They have 1/4, 1/8, 1/16. It's for clay modeling. Around 5 bucks a package you get two sheets from which you can cut 8 seperate patterns. Saw it last year and kept thinking it might work. You could have 8 different patterns ready for use with little effort like tightening bridal veil etc. Thought you guys might be interested.

One other view and package pic

:kewl: :kewl: thanks for the info. Gonna have to give that stuff a try.
Have you painted anything yet?

Good find. But I think you should change your screen name to "scrounger", you've got a knack for it.

sweet idea:cool:

I saw that stuff back when I first started building plugs and I was looking for toule. I though it might work but then I talked myself out of it thinking it would scratch the previous coates of paint because it metal wire/mesh.

Let us know how it works out.

SCORE!!!Thanks Flap.:bounce:

Thanks Steve, I need that stuff

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 :hihi: 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 :uhuh:

Jigman

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

Jigman

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

Great ideas guys.

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.

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

scale spray booth isle 2 :hihi: