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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Matt Curtis on November 20, 2022, 05:33:43 PM

Title: How do you waterproof a balsa leading edge mold?
Post by: Matt Curtis on November 20, 2022, 05:33:43 PM

So i have made a leading edge mold for s1 ringmaster out of balsa.  Could i just put a few coats of minwax polyaccrylic on it and sand smooth to make it waterproof or could i just cover it with monokote?

Title: Re: How do you waterproof a balsa leading edge mold?
Post by: Dan McEntee on November 20, 2022, 06:26:55 PM

 What is the mold made from? Of it is carved from any kind of wood, the polyacrylic would do the job. Any kind of wood sealer product, lacquer, even dope. After what ever you put on it sits and cures for a few days. Give it a good coat of wax also to help keep things from sticking, and it will also help repel water also.
  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee
   

Title: Re: How do you waterproof a balsa leading edge mold?
Post by: Matt Curtis on November 20, 2022, 06:42:50 PM

Mold is balsa.  Thank you for the tip i thought poly would work so i will do that.  I have carnuba wax that i can put on it when i am ready to use it.  I am excited to do this to build a light ringmaster.  Will see how it goes?

Title: Re: How do you waterproof a balsa leading edge mold?
Post by: Alan Buck on November 20, 2022, 07:24:29 PM

Matt i would go with z/epoxy no wax do to adhesion problems

Title: Re: How do you waterproof a balsa leading edge mold?
Post by: john e. holliday on November 20, 2022, 08:07:52 PM

I wrapped my molds with saran wrap.  Really I didn't water proof them. D>K

Title: Re: How do you waterproof a balsa leading edge mold?
Post by: Brett Buck on November 21, 2022, 07:46:24 PM

Quote from: Matt Curtis on November 20, 2022, 05:33:43 PM

So i have made a leading edge mold for s1 ringmaster out of balsa.  Could i just put a few coats of minwax polyaccrylic on it and sand smooth to make it waterproof or could i just cover it with monokote?

    Almost anything would be OK. I have rather intense dislike for polycrylic and water-based woodworking finishes. But it would be fine if that is what you have.

       Brett

Title: Re: How do you waterproof a balsa leading edge mold?
Post by: Howard Rush on November 23, 2022, 04:28:23 PM

I hesitate to buck Alan and Brett on mold buck waterproofing, but I use Saran Wrap.   I’m not that concerned about the grain imprinting on the balsa.