I have .2 oz. CF veil from CST Composites. I'm trying to apply it with clear dope. So far, I've found 3 wrong ways! There has to be a good method to do this, or there wouldn't be so many folks using it. Someone ? ? ?

Maybe using Brodkak butyrate is where I'm messing up? The surface has been sanded and doped to a faint sheen.

1) I've tried just laying the veil on the surface and gently brushing new dope on - The veil disintegrates.
2) Dope the surface first and lay the CF Veil on, pressing it down gently with fingers
3) Dope the surface, lay the CF downand cover with waxed paper and then pressing that down - The veil comes off with the waxed paper

Does the veil disintegrate when you use nitrate dope? I can start over, I guess, and consider this a lesson learned several different ways. Rats!

Forgot to say, but the CF I'm using is from The Composite Store, and is very soft and pliable. The .2 oz./yd. stuff.

Hi Ralph,

I use very thinned out dope brushed softly over the veil. It is thinned more than 75% thinner.  After I get it stuck down,  I can brush on heavier coats.  I am *finally* getting a Werwage Vulcan done, and I used only nitrate to stick everything down, and as a filler.  There is no grain visible on the plane. 

Be gentle and use very thinned dope, or straight thinner as Walter said, to stick it down.  Don't be concerned if it overlaps quite a bit, it sands so easy that it's pathetic.

Bill <><

Ralph - If the veil is as pliable as it sounds, you probably have unsized veil, which falls apart very easily.  (Sizing is a thin paste applied to the veil to give it some stiffness and cohesion.)  You can use unsized veil by keeping a jar of acetone and a jar of dope thinned 50-50 on hand when you dope down the veil.  First saturate it with the acetone, using care to keep the brush full, so it slides easily.  Then dope over the acetone, again with the brush always full.  The acetone trick makes the veil snuggle down around almost any compound curve you want.  Once I found this, I started buying the veil with sizing in it as it easier to cut and handle, and the sizing melts instantly when the acetone hits it.  Tom Hampshire

just an idea ---
why not balsarite on the balsa and then iron it on?

then spry the dope to avoid snagging?

have never used either--just a idea

David

just an idea ---
why not balsarite on the balsa and then iron it on?

then spry the dope to avoid snagging?

have never used either--just a idea

David

That's an enterprising idea. I'll try it on some scrap just to see!