Has anyone got experience painting the bare frame before using some kind of transparent film covering? I've got transparent yellow and was thinking it would look better if I used some light gray or something to blank out the wood grain. Right now it's got a very light coat of Balsa Rite film glue thinned 50/50 on it. 

Thanks,
MM

MM,
You might go to a auto body paint story and get some pigment for lacquer, mix in a touch with a small test of the 50/50 thinned Balsarite and put it on a piece of crap to see if it dries. If it works do the bottom of the stab and then MonoKots (or whatever film you use) over it. Use low heat setting on an iron (don't use a heat gun) to avoid the bubbles that Dan mentioned. I have used two coats of Balsarite under MonoKote with no problems as long as I went slow with the heat.

Best,    DennisT

Take a look at this thread, near the bottom.  Bob Branch painted his balsa/carbon fiber profile with plain old rustoleum then 'coted over it.  It turned out very neat with a different look.

http://stunthanger.com/smf/gettin-all-amp'ed-up!/c-14-carbon-fuse-electric-profile/