Hi Guys;


     Any one know how to get a warp out of a flap thats already been painted?
Check out the pics, i was hoping to Finnish this plane by next week but........

Personally, I don't use dope, but if I did and had a warp, this is what I'd do.  I'd twist it back straight and then a bit more.  Tie it down in that stressed attitude and spray it with some retarder, both sides, to soften the already applied finish.  Retarded is a powerful thinner.  Left over night your problem may very well go away as a result of this treatment.

Al

If it's doped, pour boiling water on it while twisting it opposite the warp.  If it has plastic covering, iron it while twisting it opposite the warp.  You can iron a doped flap if you're careful. 

Steve,

You said painted, but not with what...

If it was doped, it is possible - easy actually - to straighten that kind of bend with a hot air gun, like used for shrinking $Kote. Be careful NOT to heat the surfaces so much the dope blisters... Heat one side, bend it against the curl. If possible, wipe down the heated side with a damp cloth. (I haven't tried this with non-doped pieces, like epoxy-coated, etc.)

Do the same on the other side.

Check how straight that got it. Repeat as necessary. (Check again a few hours later...)

Each pass is a matter of (5 to 20) seconds, so this is quick. Repeat as necessary to get both 'force-cooled' sides straight. A-a-and if you need to do it again, sometime later, you bin thare, dun that...