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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Hofmarg on April 15, 2008, 11:25:00 AM

Title: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Hofmarg on April 15, 2008, 11:25:00 AM
Does anyone have an easy method of removing Balsarite from balsa.I am redoing a Thunderbird that I first covered with Sig Coverite(too heavy).I used Balsarite to attach the coverite to the plane.I have now removed all the original covering and I`m going with Monokote.When the Monokote is ironed on wood surfaces it just wrinkles up instead of shrinking on flat.It`s just a headach!I`ve covered many planes with Monokote and Ultracote and have never had this problem-I just have to get rid of the Balsarite.Maybe someone has had a simular problem and used some kind of thiner or reducer-anybody?
Help!
Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Bill Little on April 15, 2008, 11:42:34 AM
I would start with lacquer thinner, and move to MEK (be CAREFUL! use a mask and cover your skin, rubber gloves, etc..) if the thinner doesn't work.

Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Bob Reeves on April 15, 2008, 12:19:09 PM
Might also try acetone but you should be able to put Monokote over balsarite. You need to have the iron just hot enough to melt the adhesive.. If it's too hot it will bubble.
Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Hofmarg on April 15, 2008, 01:25:37 PM
 I will try that and let you know, thanks.The monokote just sticks too good to the Balsarite,then you get these little wrinkles,more like tiny waves because flim can`t schrink correctly.I will try the thiner.
thanks again-Ron
Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: don Burke on April 16, 2008, 09:40:57 AM
I've been using ULTRACOTE lately, much easier to get on and smooths out small wrinkles better.  I used both Balsarite and nitrate dope as a base.
Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: don Burke on April 16, 2008, 09:43:06 AM
Forgot to mention I removed monokote residue with acetone after making sure all the mylar was removed.  I tried sanding, but too much potential structural damage, the acetone worked very well in my well ventilated shop!
Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Nils on April 29, 2008, 11:36:00 PM
Try using the iron only around the very outside edges with only enough heat to stick the covering down. From that point use a heat gun to shrink the plastic. I try to heat the entire panel gently & evenly until it's tight, then press it down with a folded cloth.

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Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Hofmarg on April 30, 2008, 05:06:17 AM
Thanks ,Thats what I`m doing .I`m using a combination of your suggestions and that is working.I Removed most of the Basarite then iron down on edges only and finish with heat gun..
Thanks All
Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Alan Hahn on May 01, 2008, 01:43:19 PM
Might also try acetone but you should be able to put Monokote over Balsarite. You need to have the iron just hot enough to melt the adhesive.. If it's too hot it will bubble.

Bob,
I am guessing this is the fabric type of balsarite, a relatively heavy gooey like substance---a glue actually for fabric that comes without an adhesive (since it was mentioned that it was originally covered in Sig fabric).

If it were the film version, then it would be fine with monocote, since that is basically thin liquid, kind of like a thinned dope, and basically just seems to harden the balsa surface.

Even though the can is labeled film and fabric, I always wondered why they didn't give them distinctive names. Not sure which one came first.

Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Hofmarg on May 02, 2008, 05:51:09 AM
Yes Al ,It was the heavy gooey stuff.I could actually get some of it off with a straight razor blade.(looked like peeling sunburn skin,yuk!)I`ve got the fuse. all primed and ready for paint and will be covering open areas with Ultracote.Looks like the weight will be way down ,around 52oz or sooo(?) finished with engine and all the fixings,alot lighter then the boat anchor it was.She won`t be a beauty queen but nice enough to be respectable.

thanks Again to all-- Ron
Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Nils on May 03, 2008, 09:40:52 PM
I always buy the thick 'fabric formula' Balsarite. It's great for fuelproofing engine & tank compartments right out of the can. For other uses I thin it to whatever consistency I need with acetone. I can't tell the difference between thin 'film formula' & the acetone thinned stuff & you get a lot more stuck for your buck. Covering-wise.

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Title: Re: Balsarite liquid
Post by: Hofmarg on May 11, 2008, 07:02:20 AM
Got er done.Do any of you know the exact balance point on the RSM T-bird?

Thanks Ron