apt-e

Hi all, A pair of 99% complete Lab 4 Hastings coaches stand for display. Just need to fit the VIP window frames which are drying at the present time., and stick the roofs down. These are totally standard kits to show what can be done. I am pretty pleased. I am no model painter, but gave it a shot. White lines and decals are all from Railtec. Hope you enjoy. Stay safe. Regards Paul.

Afternoon all. Not much progress, but have three Lab 4 models on the go to see what is the best way to paint them. Two br blue , the other is going to be the later colours. Need to workout how to put the Railtec white lines on also. Got a spare sided painted up to test this. Regards Paul.

Hi all, Another paint prototype on the go. Paint to the end bulkheads and roof panel ends painted to match. Stay safe. Regards Paul.

Uv light through windows is an issue also, the paint helps massively with stopping this and also protects. I always use PLA+ which melts at 175 degrees. It's all an issue with the medium sadly, as long as you follow some simple rules, it will be ok. Hope this helps people. Stay safe Regards Paul.

On a better note.... Glass fitted and the painted internals going in......

Hi all, What I meant is that pla and pla+ do not like being warmed up . When I tested this some years ago direct sunlight, in a window warped the shape. 30+ degrees and things can go wrong. The same happens to airfix kits if left on a window, I learnt that the hard way with a very expensive harrier jump jet. I also had a Hornby apt-p driving coach go the same way. Won't do that again. Basically don't leave your models in direct sunlight, EVER... Hope this clears up a few things people. Stay safe. Regards Paul.

The offer of some spare roofs is still open Darius, if you need them.

Hi Darius, Pla+ does not like direct sunlight. Not seen it do that though. Once painted its fine, I've not seen or heard of any problems, and I haven't had any issues myself. All very odd. I have some spares so will send you a couple. No problem, will get it posted tomorrow for you. Regards Paul.

A bit if progress today...... End of each roof section should be grey, will sort that, and side pattern should go to the very end, but I like the yellow ends. Not finished the end paint detail but happy with it so far.

Sides painted...

Lol Mike, APT 4........... super loop train.

Just to get an idea of how it will look. Window frames added for effect.

Four tests for painting. All have had 2 coats of paint. Bottom two are best..... going to go with one of those on my main model.

Started a full side test paint. Small test part was done red first then blue and looked OK. I am no painter but I am happy with it. You have to look stupidly hard to see any print pattern. I like to think that my kits give you a full model for novice and medium level builders, and something to build and then super fine detail for the experts. I hope that is the case. I thank everyone who has support me over the past years and enjoy what I do. More to come........... Stay safe everyone. Regards Paul.

A bit more me trying to test paint. Think it looks OK to say it's brushed. Stay safe. Regards Paul.

Thanks Colin, will give that a try also.

Hi , The primer I have seen was code AK758 in grey. Hope this helps people. Regards Paul. This is a test part with primer and one coat of brushed on paint. I actually forgot to sand this also,

That sounds good then Colin, thank you.

Hi All, A good tip for Lab 4 has been shown to me, use AK Interactive Primer and microfiller on the panel sides to reduce the hashing left over from the printing process. Might help reduce the pre-processing before painting. A light sand, and away you go by all accounts. The limitations of 3D printing can sometimes make things a little harder, but I am testing some extra functions within Cura which might help in the creation of future models, namely PoP 2. Stay safe everyone. Regards Paul

That's fantastic Darius......

That's tc2 in APT-e Mike. Photo is for reference on colours for tech desk. Sorry, I should have stated that. My apologies.

Hi Mike, I've just checked the instructions, and on my pc, using ms word to view it, all is correct. When I do the instructions, I make a new model in tinker and, so I am unsure on what you are seeing. The tech desk is at the windowed end. End "A". Make sure your model looks like the image below. Thanks Mike. All a bit odd........

Hi All, Just a generic message to everyone I have contacted and have paid for Lab 4 kits. All the present batch was posted yesterday so should be with you next week, Thanks to everyone's support with this model. Hope you all enjoy the build and running, photos of finished kits would be nice to see. Stay safe everyone. Regards Paul

Hi Mike, the larger part to the support base, but actually, if you put them all the same way round, it would not make any difference. Malwarebytes does not trust any site that is not https. I can assure you its safe as I made it lol........

Hi Darren, I just tried the link and it worked OK. Did you copy and paste the link or re-type it. The link is case sensitive. Can you try again please Darren. Thanks for the message. Regards Paul.