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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Bill Little on July 13, 2010, 09:40:00 PM

Title: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: Bill Little on July 13, 2010, 09:40:00 PM

OK, I have a foam wing that is just covered with balsa on the LE, TE, and has geodesic cap strips.  I have considered using SLC from Phil since it will go on with low heat and is light, and I thought of doing like several here and coming back over it with "00" silkspan to apply a painted finish.

Any other answers to the problem?

TIA!
Big Bear

Title: Re: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: Wynn Robins on July 13, 2010, 11:20:01 PM

waterbased Poly U???

if you used epoxy with the sheeting, you are good to go straight over that - then SLC on the open bays...

I use SLC on my foam wings  - works great.

Title: Re: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: john e. holliday on July 15, 2010, 08:02:48 AM

Remember to buff the SLC with very fine paper.  It don't take much.   H^^

Title: Re: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: Michael Boucher on July 20, 2010, 11:06:06 AM

Covered two foam wings with silkspan attached with 50/50 elmer glue applied with a foam bush. It turned out very nice.  :)!

Title: Re: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: sleepy gomez on July 20, 2010, 02:58:52 PM

Be sure to use unflavored gelatin with HOT water to seal the foam/silkspan.  One packet to one and one half ounce water.  This will seal out lacquer thinner!  Several coats of clear water base Polycrylic will also seal but will add more weight.  Then use any fuel proof  paint.

Title: Re: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: ray copeland on July 20, 2010, 05:22:58 PM

Bill, this pic is of a foam wing from Phil covered with his SLC. The only thing i did prior to painting with Rustoleum  was a light coat of Duplicolor Adhesion Promoter. Twenty or so flights and 2 minor brushes with the ground and the paint is still looking good. Good luck with your project ,  Ray

Title: Re: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: Bill Little on July 21, 2010, 11:36:45 AM

Thanks for the comments, guys. ;D  In the past, I have covered all my foam wings in the traditional dope/silkspan way, but this one isn't fully sheeted, so......... ;D

I will get the SLC from Phil, and have at it! LL~

Thanks, again
Big Bear

Title: Re: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: john e. holliday on July 22, 2010, 08:06:43 AM

Remember the shiny side is the outside surface.  Of course you will learn real quick when you kit it with he iron.   H^^

Title: Re: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: Bill Little on July 23, 2010, 06:40:08 AM

Quote from: john e. holliday on July 22, 2010, 08:06:43 AM

Remember the shiny side is the outside surface.  Of course you will learn real quick when you kit it with he iron.   H^^

Thanks, Doc.  It is the same with polyspan!  I knew about the polyspan, but I'm glad you told me that about the SLC.  I'll remember that. (I hope! LOL!!) 

Bill

Title: Re: Foam wing covering problem.......
Post by: Alan Buck on July 23, 2010, 04:13:16 PM

HI, Bill I used slc on my Staris on the the open bays of the wing with no problems. Scuff it with sotch brite and dope it silkspan it no problems.