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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Chuck_Smith on October 31, 2012, 05:41:11 PM

Title: Light Weight Filler, Cheap and Easy
Post by: Chuck_Smith on October 31, 2012, 05:41:11 PM

Guys,

Thought I'd share this with you. If this is already common knowledge then disregard. I have been using UGL 222 Lite spackling as a filler for many years. I bought it for a home improvement project and was impressed with how light the container was. Working with it, it appears to use microballoons. Sure feels like it. It dries fast, takes paint well and is super easy to sand. The olive drab Sig Mustang fillets were done in 1992 or '93, and after all this time and a few more hard landings than I'd like to admit to the fillets are like the day I made them.


Might not be everyone's cup of tea but it works for me.

I found it may dry out after 10 years or so, so simply add a little water and stir... good as new.


(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff189/OffshoreAngler/222lite.jpg)
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff189/OffshoreAngler/mustangfillet.jpg)(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff189/OffshoreAngler/Flap.jpg)

Chuck

I need more Nitro!
(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff189/OffshoreAngler/SmallMotor.jpg)

Title: Re: Light Weight Filler, Cheap and Easy
Post by: Chuck_Smith on October 31, 2012, 05:43:34 PM

((Oops, double post!))

Title: Re: Light Weight Filler, Cheap and Easy
Post by: steven yampolsky on October 31, 2012, 06:11:54 PM

My choice of fillers in order of preference:
1) Leather
2) West System 105/205 combo mixed with microbaloons. I keep adding until it can't take no more and starts to heat up(cure).

Title: Re: Light Weight Filler, Cheap and Easy
Post by: Dave Denison on October 31, 2012, 09:56:51 PM

Chuck.

Thanks for the heads up on the UGL 222. Great to have another filler in the arsenal.  Looks like the price on this is way better than the overpriced  NHP Micro-Fill.

Regards.
Dave.

ama 41041

Title: Re: Light Weight Filler, Cheap and Easy
Post by: Randy Powell on October 31, 2012, 10:08:45 PM

If it's what I think it is, watch out for shrinkage.

I prefer Superfil.

Title: Re: Light Weight Filler, Cheap and Easy
Post by: Howard Rush on October 31, 2012, 11:48:37 PM

Is the 222 better than other lightweight spackling compounds?  I have a number of containers of lightweight spackling I bought at garage sales.  It's great for foam combat wings, particularly the substandard ones where the wire was too hot.  I put a lot on stunt planes, too, but I have been afraid to use it on concave surfaces because it doesn't have much tensile strength, and the dope can pull it apart.  The Mustang fillet indicates that the 222 doesn't have that problem.

Title: Re: Light Weight Filler, Cheap and Easy
Post by: larry borden on November 01, 2012, 11:33:33 AM

I use DAP Drydex for all filling, except for fillets and then I use SuperFil.

Title: Re: Light Weight Filler, Cheap and Easy
Post by: FLOYD CARTER on November 01, 2012, 12:31:10 PM

I have used DAP "Surfacing Putty" for small dings (but not fillets).  It is lacquer-based and sands nicely.

Floyd

Title: Re: Light Weight Filler, Cheap and Easy
Post by: phil c on November 01, 2012, 02:41:01 PM

You can get some tensile strength into all the hardware store light fillers.  Just add about 1 tbsp. of water-based varnish to one cup of filler.  You'll know if you added too much because the varnish will settle to the bottom of the container.  It can be remixed easily.

The 222 stuff might be a localized brand.  I've never seen it on the East coast.