Painting 101

**oldweirdherald** · 06-11-2005, 08:49 AM

Last night I grabbed a six-pack of Hefeweizen and headed over to Craig "flyracing" Rieland's place, so we could finally write captions for the "Painting 101" photo/article we've been working on.

Craig painted up a batch of bodies in his condo kitchen - converted quickly to a painting shop, while I snapped pictures a while back, and now we finally had a chance to get together and puts some words with the pictures.

Craig shares his tips and shows the steps on how he paints concours winning bodies - using an inexpensive airbrush and water-based paints - right in his condo kitchen.

Bon Apetit!

Painting 101 - by Craig "flyracing" Rieland & Paul "OWH" Kassens

**returnoftheJedi** · 06-11-2005, 10:04 AM

Nice work guys

**Zippity** · 06-11-2005, 10:53 AM

I'll bet Craig isn't married.

Jeez!! if I tried that in my kitchen, "Her Indoors" would kill me

And now, off to read the 101.

Thanks Guys

**Zippity** · 06-11-2005, 11:11 AM

Photographs 2 and 16 answered my question

Congratultions guys - what a great 101.

I feel sick in the stomach now, because I know that I will never be able to achieve such creative art

Thanks Craig and Paul.

Ron

**Bill from NH** · 06-11-2005, 06:12 PM

Zip, don't give up before you start. You can do it, I know you can. Think of it as a learning experience. Your first airbrushed body may or may not be a masterpiece, but you'll get better with practice.

I only spray in the kitchen when my wife is gone for the day.

**Zippity** · 06-11-2005, 08:50 PM

What sort of all purpose cleaner is this stuff? Chemical based?

Do you use it straight or diluted?

PS Thanks Bill.

**oldweirdherald** · 06-11-2005, 09:15 PM

I was just on the phone with Craig when I saw your post so I asked him.

Apparently Formula 409 is a US product that you may not have there in NZ, but chances are that you have something similar.

Try http://www.formula409.com/ for more info on 409. You could probably use their form mail to get info on if it is available under a different product name in NZ - or if they can recommend a similar product available there. It's owned by Clorox - so perhaps they also own companies that distribute on the lower half of the planet as well. I asked Craig to post some more info off the label.

He uses the Formula 409 straight - pouring a bit into a jar to use from for diluting the paint, then uses the remainder in the jar for cleanup.

I couldn't pin Craig down on a mix ratio. Since he's also a bit of a good cook, he's used to using "a dash of this and a pinch of that" without measuring. You have to experiment with the amount of thinning, based on whether it plugs up and spatters (too thick) or if it goes on too watery (too thin).

He used to have a tool that measured viscocity, he said, but not sure what happened to it.

That's why Craig suggests thinning to the consistency of 2% milk.

I suppose in NZ you may have to compensate if using sheep milk.

**Zippity** · 06-11-2005, 10:06 PM

Yep, I had already checked out the internet and got the 'gen' on F409.

Would Simple Green do the same job?

Pity I don't know your Skype alias - I could have asked you personally

**oldweirdherald** · 06-12-2005, 02:56 AM

Craig is afraid Simple Green may add color - it is very green. I suggested it to him - but he hasn't tried it. May be worth testing though - just a few drops in a small bit of paint.

I never leave my Yahoo or Skype on that much. I used to - but now I prefer to only chat when in the mood or have time.

But my Skype ID is oldweirdherald (go figure)

**Bill from NH** · 06-12-2005, 09:33 AM

Ron, some of the RC paint guys say they use Windex (glass cleaner) or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to thin acrylics for spraying. Try one of those if you can't find an equivalent to 409.

**Janders** · 06-12-2005, 12:29 PM

Hi Guys,

Here in Norway we have something called "904". It's used for cleaning car interiors.
I don't have the formula, but can it be the same as Your's 409? ( Just a change of name?)

**HRK** · 06-12-2005, 05:09 PM

One of the Pacific Northwest best active painter/racer's. My son Cody and I are lucky enough to have had Craig paint us a few body's, all are flat out outstanding and his interior's will blow you away as far as the detail goes. Great job on the post you two.
And thanks again for helping me out with my own air brushing.
See ya this weekend at the Flats.

Kev

**Zippity** · 06-13-2005, 03:06 AM

I photographed it at the 2003 "Flats"

**Multiracer II** · 06-14-2005, 05:50 AM

This kind of information should help many people get started painting bodies.
Thanks for taking the time.
Ron

**flyracing** · 06-14-2005, 09:29 PM

yes Ron that is my IRL in the picture the same one that only gets to run once a year at "the flats" this year instead of strap 12 motors? we are ging to try amca grp 10 motors !! wish me luck as no-one has raced them on Lees MTT as yet ??? hope you have enjoyed the 101 ? & if you have any other ????'s you can also pm me ......Craig