I have a question about finsh work. Have 2 planes almost ready for silkspan, do I want to use superfil before silkspan or after? You know, the little spots like the fuse got dinged by ?  Thanks. Jack

Hi Jack,

Pete's right. Better to get a flat and smooth a surface prior to covering. I use either microballoons (West System Microlight filler) mixed with dope for minor surface dings that I can't get out with the method Pete talked about or sometimes catalyzed glazing compound (Something like Evercoat or Dolphin Glaze) for more involved stuff like a gash or something. I only use Superfil for fillets. I put those on after covering and a couple of coats of clear.

Thanks for the info. For sure I'll do the fillets after, at least on the mustang, the magician used micro ballons and epoxy since its a profile and I would think a little stronger than superfil. Again thanks. 

Yup,

I agree, Bill has the technique down perfect for raising dents!

Jim Pollock, The big dent maker!   

I'm a believer in using leather for fillets.  They are installed without fuss, and dope sticks to them like crazy!  They are available in various sizes from Bill Sawyer (see "suppliers").

Floyd

Hi, Could you please explain your finishing method? How do you do fillets?  What dope do you like?  Can you make fillets on top on a silkspan covered wing or should it be on the wood directly?  Thanks,  Mike

Mike, have you read this thread, it answers most of your finishing questions. As far as fillets, there are several, or maybe many ways. Leather fillets, microballons and epoxy, Epoxy-lite, balsa fillets, spackling paste, and any number of other things have been tried. I myself like soft balsa fillets for large ones and microballoons and epoxy for small ones. I apply my fillets to the wood though you could apply them over the covering, but NEVER apply the covering over the fillets, they will lift


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