Thanks Glyn. it is Halfords VW Brilliant Orange aerosol finished with Autoglym car polish. I used Halfors filler/primer to give a good base.

Steve

Thanks, points taken and hopefully heeded. if my boat looks as yours Steve I'll be very satisfied. Nice job.
Is the paint VW orange, and did you brush or spray?

Hi Glyn
An excellent choice if I may say so. I am very pleased with mine, particularly at this time of year with all the onboard lighting.
The most difficult part of my build was skinning the hull. Although the plastic sheet is flexible it requires bending in two planes to accommodate the curvature.
The skins are held in place with tape then glued to the bulkheads on the inside.
My mistake(s) were failing to take enough time positioning the skins, particularly fore and aft, not using enough tape and using too much glue.
The chemical reaction created by the glue, caused the plastic to heat up and shrink resulting
in the bulkheads showing through - see pic 1.
Initially this caused me some concern but when I had
finished the build I was pleased with the overall result - pic 2.
Best of luck.

Steve

2 good one's, dont rush & measure twice and cut once, if your not sure we are all hear for you

Hi you guys,
I have just received my pilot kit. Never built a boat, so gonna be a long, but interesting journey!
I have picked up your tips, things to avoid, or how to do a particular task. Thanks for those.
Is there anything specific I should know, do, or not do before I start.
Regards Glyn

Hi Steve
Provided you have mixed enough paint/sand, you can always touch it up even after the paint has dried.
As for the type, I had some left over from doing the drive, but even a bag only costs a fiver. You might pay over the odds at a pet shop.
Pity you don't live closer - you would be very welcome to some of mine.
Anyway, best of luck.
Steve

Hi Steve

All I can say is bravo, outstanding job.
I showed my wife the picture of your pilot boat, she took one looked at my San Pedro.
and said why didn't you get that one instead, I was shocked but had to explain,
I really like collecting Model Tugs.

Oh, Good luck on her lighting, I will be waiting patiently for your video.

Ed

Thanks Steve

sounds like a the sort of thing that needs a practice before final attempt.

I take it any very fine sand dry sand will work as paving sand usually only comes in big bags!

Pet shops sell fine sands for aquariums I might try them

Steve

Hi Steve

A pot of green acrylic paint ( £1.20 from my local art shop) mixed with silver sand I use for the block paving on the drive.
Two or three tests to get the mix about right - nothing scientific. When brushing it on the deck I made sure I got a fairly even distribution and there were no 'bald patches' and once dry I brushed on a coat of satin varnish to complete the effect.
I admit to surprising myself with the simplicity and being pleased with the overall effect.
Hope this helps.

Steve

Hi I've been following your Pilot build as I am just about to start to build one.

Can I ask , how did you achieve the textured Non slip deck look? Previously I've tried specialist paint finishes and sands but yours looks really good 👍

Steve

Hi Ed

Yours sure looks the part now! I've been following your build blog with interest and I hope you have now cured your leak.
Like you, I have almost finished the pilot boat. I am struggling with the lighting circuit at the moment but hope to have it done in time for an evening regatta at a nearby club in a couple of weeks. The radar revolves and I am hoping to motorise the searchlight. Once complete I will post a short video.
A couple of pics attached. I am quite pleased with the way she is turning out.
Steve

Hi Steve
How's your Pilot Boat coming along?
As for my San Pedro Push Boat she's about 99.8% completed, attached you'll find a picture!

Ed

Hi Steve
Good Morning, and thank you for the advice. I will keep this in mind when i get my pilot boat.
I know that some times the metal plate on steel boats show a lines, all i can say about your boat is it has extra details of plating, 👍
I like the way your boats coming out, looks good.
As for my push boat I had a problem with ingress but I have resolved it, with a little extra glue!

Ed

Hi Ed
Your push boat is coming along nicely I see!

Just a word of warning if you do get the pilot boat. I have been told that I used too much glue when I stuck the plastic sheets to the frames when making the hull. The chemical reaction caused too much heat thus causing the sheet to pull too tight and the frames to show through, even though I followed instructions by taping the sheets first and then glueing from the inside.
I should have used a brush to apply the glue which would have regulated the amount.
This advice came from John at Jotika who makes and supplies kits to the trade so I would think it accurate.
Best of luck with your push boat.
Speak to you soon.

Steve

Hi Steve
Your boat looks great, your doing a fine job on her! can't wait to see the finished out come!
As for my push boat I had a problem with water ingress but have solved it, she now floats with no water ingress! 👍
I think the lights are a great part of the details of the Pilot Boat, I showed my wife the pics of your boat and she wants my to get one for my winter project!

Ed

Hi Ed
A few more pics showing progress on the boat. Still much to do as the kit is very detailed, but I've made a start on the lighting and the sound system.
How is yours?
Steve

I'm glad you found the right tape.
Great job on the taping...
Ed

Ed
Success! Don't know about you but I'm pretty pleased with what $3 worth of pin stripe can do.
Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction.
Steve

Ed

Great idea, thanks! it's helpful when you know the name of the item you are looking for.
I can feel a visit to my auto parts store coming on.
Will let you know.
Steve

Steve

Here a thought, I can look on my side there's a auto parts store not to far from me.
I can go look to see if they have pin striping tape, and send it to you!
Just a thought.

Hi Steve

Impressive work, As for my Push Boat it's coming along nicely! I just added her rub-rails!
I was thinking about the tape for your boat needs, what about your local auto parts store.
look for pin striping tape, I've seen it before on the internet 3M pin striping tape for automobiles.
hope this helps.

Ed

Hi Ed
Making steady progress now and her sea trials proved very successful. She looks really good on the plane and her scale speed is there or thereabouts.
As you can see, I have painted the hull above and below the waterline and I am currently working on the deckhouse.
You will see on the pic of the finished boat there is a black stripe just above the waterline, which I estimate to be about 10mm wide.
The answer would be self adhesive tape but I am having trouble sourcing some.
Any thoughts?
Also, any pics of your boat?
Steve

Hi Steve
How's your pilot boat coming along?
My tugboat is coming along nicely, I'm working on her rub-rails at the present.

Ed

Hi Onetenor

That's a good idea, never thought of Gorilla Glue!
At this point I'm willing to try anything to make sure she don't spring a leak, and stays water tight.

If you use an expanding glue like Gorilla glue this fills any gaps and acts as caulking.This will deal with the waterproofing problem Also joining dissimilar materials
Good luck. John

OOPS, sorry sticky key!

Hi Steve
Your boat is looking fantastic, great job!
As for mine it's coming along slowly!
My boat is comprised of wood and plastic, so its my first time working with dual componants!
I'm concerned about her sea weartheness, she has a lot of seams and gaps.
I'm hoping she stays afloat when I put her in the water, time will tell.
Ed

Hi Ed
Coming along pretty well. The drive train is in and the motors and rudder work off one stick for slow speed and the other stick for forward and back.
The deck is on, the hull primed and I have just started on the superstructure.
How's yours doing?
Steve

Hi Cormorant
How's your boat coming along?
I've been working on mine for the last week!

Ed

Hi Cormorant
How's your boat coming along?
I've been working on mine for the last week!

Hi Chris
I don't think Cormorant had a problem, he found the proper solution if he did!
I myself would take it slowly as working with the shafts should be done cautiously!
and to make sure that they are properly aligned!

Ed
Link for Protorlign herewith:-
http://www.mobilemarinemodels.com/protorlign-520-p.asp
Best of luck with your Push Boat.
Steve

Hi Steve
Your doing a great job on the aeronaut pilot boat, as for me I've decided to get the Push Boat instead!
I think that the aeronaut pilot boat will most likely be my next project!
and I know who I will ask for help from, I mean since you would have built it!
Anyway where did you get the Protorlign jig from, I'm going to need one as well?

Hi Ed
Progress painfully slow at the moment. Management has decreed that I get on with household chores and dog walking.
However, I have got the starboard motor fitted and waiting for the glue to dry on the port propshaft. Now I know how to use it, I have aligned the tubes with a Protorlign jig which makes life a lot easier.
Next job are the rudders and servo and another coat of undercoat on the hull.
Has your management allowed you to purchase your kit yet?
Steve

Hi Ed,

He seems to have had a problem with his prop shafts-see that thread

Chris

Hi Steve

How far along are you on the aeronaut pilot boat build?
Ed

Hi Steve

how's your aeronaut pilot boat coming along?

Although the tug San Pedro looks unusual I do think it would make a nice addition to my fleet!
I've been thinking about the Aeronaut Pilot Boat, and I think she'll probably run for about 20 to 30 minutes on one charge!
where as the tug will run for about 3 to 4 hours give or take! oh, I can use the batteries from my other tug Serenity!
one good thing I already have one barge built for my tug to push, I have to take time out and build the second barge
all in all the tug and barges would equal about 9" 6" which for me is a good tow.

Ed

Ed
Never thought too much about tugs, but this one looks very unusual and an interesting design.
I'm sure this will be a great addition to your fleet.
Steve

Hi Steve
Happy 70th I hope you and your wife had a great holiday together!
tall ships are magnificent to look at! it's amazing how tall they really are.
I'm still waiting to order my aeronaut pilot boat!
I've also been looking at a tugboat it's the
DUMAS SAN PEDRO PUSH TUG 1:32 SCALE.
Take a look at the picture what do you think?

Hi Ed
Sorry for the delay but I have just spent a superb weekend in Antwerp watching the start of the Tall Ships Race, a 70th birthday treat from my wife. Just as an appetiser I have attached a picture of the CUAUHTEMOC, a square rigger of the Mexican Navy. She was just leaving the port to the sound of loud Mexican music. We watched the crew climb the masts before leaving the quayside. A truly fantastic sight.
Work on the pilot boat has been put on hold but I will shortly be giving the hull its final touches before a second coat of primer then undercoat. Will attach more pics then.
Steve

Hi Steve
How's your aeronaut pilot boat coming along? I've still got about a week to go before I can order mine!

Ed

Thanks, for the updates I'm going to go to my local auto parts store and look to see if I can find that shade of orange!
talk to you soon!

Ed

Builders discretion for the colours. I mentioned Volkswagen Orange which I had a look at earlier today. Looks a pretty good match to the pictures on the box so I have bought a couple of aerosol tins.
I will be sanding the hull tomorrow and hopefully giving it a coat of grey primer.
I will keep you updated.

Hi Steve,
I was referring to the bridge and also aft of the bridge where the four seats are!
but I'm glad you mentioned they give some sort of painting instructions.
I too have quite an assortment of brushes, for the task of painting my boats!
do they recommend a set of colors to use? or is it up to the builders discretion.

Hi Ed
Sorry, not sure what you mean about painting the inside?
The instructions give some idea of when to paint and I will be following those to a great extent. Certainly before cabin construction is complete.
I will be using different size brushes and Humbrol enamel paints of the appropriate colours and finish.
Hope this helps.
Steve

Good afternoon Steve,
Great job on the hull! I'm going to be ordering mine in two more weeks!
my financial officer being my wife has spoken, stating the fact to wait two weeks or else!
anyway I'm hoping that I can put mine together as well as you have,
I've never put together a kit like the Aeronaut Pilot Boat! but it looks like fun.
have you thought of how you will be painting the pilot house insides?

Morning Ed
Hull construction complete. Could have been better as you can see from the pics, but with Milliput, fine-grade paper and patience I should be able to get a pretty good finish for painting. it is my first attempt at a plastic hull so I'm not too displeased.
I must be more precise when fixing the panels.
It has been suggested that 'Volkswagen Orange' may be appropriate for the hull which I can get from my car DIY store by the aerosol can. Much cheaper than the initial outlay for an airbrush, which I am also considering.
The only thought I have had about painting the inside of the cabin, is that there is so much detail elsewhere, that it would be a shame to black it out.
Have you ordered your kit?

Steve

Hi Steve,
How's your boat coming along?
You know I was looking at her plans and I've been thinking,
how does one go about painting the inside of her cabin!
anyway, have you thought about painting the inside of the cabin.
or like me will you be painting the windows black!

Hi Dave,
Thanks I will be ordering some Bison with my kit!
I don't think I want to use a glue, that I have to mix! unless I was a chemist 😁
I'm aware of the A and B components of epoxy and I hate mixing glues!

Hi Ed
No its not a CA glue. Comes in a tube of resin with a quantity of white powder. Mix the two together according to the instructions and apply to the joint. Setting time depends on temp and mixing but is about 15mins. Full strength after 24hrs. You can machine when fully cured.
As Steve has used Bison glue and it works I would be inclined to use the same. CA may react with the plastic so tread carefully. Ordinary resins have difficulty adhering to some plastics, I usually rough the surface but would not use on an important mounting like the engine bearer etc.
Dave