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Preparation
When EPP is cut or shaped, air pockets within the foam are exposed, making the surface uneven. Modifying the surface of the EPP will ease the paint application process. Apply vinyl spackle or a watered-down polyurethane glue to the surface of the plane, then sand to smooth bumps. A plastic shrinkwrap may then be applied to completely cover the aircraft. This provides a smooth, even surface for painting. Both the filler and the following paint application add weight to the plane, so consider this additional weight during calculations.
Paint
Even pretreated EPP is difficult to paint. Avoid using brushes and rollers to apply the base coat as they can ding the surface of the model. Water-based spray paint is ideal for use on EPP. Examples of suitable paint include Maston ColorMix H2O and RustOleum water-based polyurethane. Once you have applied two to three base coats, you may use acrylic craft paint to add details with a brush. Coat the entire body of the plane with a clear sealer.
Design
Aesthetic elements such as logos, lining and color schemes may be original or derived from an actual aircraft. When choosing a design, consider the complexity of the pattern. For example, modern stealth aircrafts feature few if any regional markers and range from matte silver to black. This makes reproductions recognizable with a plain base coat. While the F-16 Thunderbirds used by the U.S. Air Force for air demonstrations have a more complex design with striped winglets and Native American motif. Such a pattern would require stenciling and hand-painted detail.
Tips
Minimize the number of colors in your plane design to make painting easier. Apply the lightest color first, and then follow with darker sections. Tape off areas for detailing with painter's tape or similar light-tack tape. Always practice your design technique on a piece of scrap foam before trying it on the actual model. Work with a moistened brush, as wet bristles are less likely to scrap off the underlying base coat.