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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: the original Steve Smith on July 31, 2006, 08:23:56 PM

Title: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: the original Steve Smith on July 31, 2006, 08:23:56 PM
 ???
Ok, I read the entire Talc post and several folks mentioned using cornstarch.  Well I've never used anything but premixed sanding sealer so I don't know the proportions.

Any help would be appreciated - I really want to learn how to do a decent finish and I've got two Twisters on the board and almost ready to start with the covering/finishing.

I'm going to brush on the mixture so how much dope, thinner, and cornstarch in the mix?  How many coats of that do I do?  I know I have to sand most of it off each coat.

Also I don't have any spray equipment nor a place to do it so I am stuck with brushes.  Any hints on brushing rather than spraying will also be listened to and utilized.

Thanks in advance for your help.  y1

Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: the original Steve Smith on August 07, 2006, 09:03:11 PM
Thanks Ty - I'll try this as soon as it gets a little cooler here in the 'Lou.  Gotta work in the garage where there's no AC.

Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: Bill Little on August 07, 2006, 09:18:22 PM
Did you know that newsprint was used at one time to buff out finishes?

Bill <><
Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: Andy on August 23, 2006, 09:08:06 AM
Hello Ty,

Where is Lovelock? There used to be (and still kinda is) a town out here in N. CA called Lovelock and there was a local paper of sorts called The Miner. Not the same place?

Andy
Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: Jim Thomerson on August 23, 2006, 01:55:06 PM
And then there is the hand rubbed finish, where you just rub the finish with your bare hand until it shines.  Try it, it works.  don't think I would do an entire airplane that way--take forever.
Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: Bill Little on August 23, 2006, 01:58:50 PM
And then there is the hand rubbed finish, where you just rub the finish with your bare hand until it shines.  Try it, it works.  don't think I would do an entire airplane that way--take forever.

Nah, Jim....... too many blisters.........
 n~
Bill <><
Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: Ironbomb on August 24, 2006, 01:39:52 PM
I am gonna try the cornstarch filler. I have a box of Argo type filler, I mean starch. I will post a pic of the happy mess. I hope it works as good as it sounds like it does.  :)

 y1 Greg
Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: Jim Thomerson on August 24, 2006, 04:16:08 PM
You want to be a little careful about putting it on too thick.  It can crack on you as the (even non-tautening) dope shrinks.
Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: Ironbomb on August 25, 2006, 08:09:54 AM
Thanks for the tips guys. I should have some on by tonight. I had forgotten what the thickness should be. Had to  say "pancake" didnt you, now I am hungry for pancakes... <=

I should have a pic up tonight, of the fues, not the pancakes.  ~>

Greg
Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: Ironbomb on September 01, 2006, 06:38:56 PM
I tried the cornstach filler. it worked great, and I'll use again. I only goofed in that I made it too thick. I guess I missed the part about "runny" pancake batter. I made like pancake batter. I had a ton to sand off, and I did sand it all off. Everything was real smooth, but then I got into the silkspan. So after I fixed the "sand thru s" I weighed the fues, 10.8oz. Ouch! I took it all back down to bare wood, and am starting over. Weight is now 9.1 . Thin is what I'll make it next time. I would post a pic, but they didnt show anything close to detail. The parts looked like they had cake frosting on them. I shoulda quit while I was so tired, but didnt want to waste quality drying time while I slept. Mistake.

Things are back to "normal" for me now.  :P

Greg  :X
Title: Re: Cornstarch filler?
Post by: Bill Little on September 02, 2006, 07:30:59 PM
I use blue ink in all my nitrate and filler.  Just enough to tint it.  When I am using silkspan on a fuselage, it gets three coats of notrate, sanded after 2 and 3 to knock down the grain, then I put on the silkspan.  The filler comes next.  I just never put filler on the raw wood if I plan on covering the wood.  After 8 years, there is no grain showing on my Geo Juno.

Bill <><