stunthanger.com

General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Paul Taylor on February 02, 2008, 09:09:44 AM

Title: Balsarite vs dope
Post by: Paul Taylor on February 02, 2008, 09:09:44 AM

What is in Balsarite<sp> that makes it useful for monokote?  Will dope do the same thing??? n~

Title: Re: Balsarite vs dope
Post by: Brett Buck on February 02, 2008, 09:14:27 AM

Quote from: rootbeard on February 02, 2008, 09:09:44 AM

What is in Balsarite<sp> that makes it useful for monokote?  Will dope do the same thing??? n~

    I wouldn't use either. There was a recent thread on this on SSW, but I prefer *nothing* and I haven't had any issue with it coming loose.

      Brett

Title: Re: Balsarite vs dope
Post by: Dennis Adamisin on February 02, 2008, 09:53:00 AM

I would be concerned with the dope blistering with heat.  Also if the wood is sealed it is easier to trap air bubbles under the covering - sorta like what happens when you have a large overlaps of monocote over monocote.

There are two kinds of balsarite - the "Film Formula" is thinner and does not build up as thick.  I have used that with some luck on certain surfaces:
* Applied to fibergalss reinforement at the center of an RC wing
* Applied to fillets made with spackling compound - it seas the surface and helps keep the moneycote from lifting.
* Applied just around the edges near the firewall to help prevent fuel seepage.

However if you do not use it you probably won't miss it either..!

Title: Re: Balsarite vs dope
Post by: Paul Taylor on February 02, 2008, 10:25:43 AM

Thanks guys, That answers that.
I do a a little spackling compound to smooth out the edges on the doublers. I am out of balsarite so a little dope is in order. I will put a little around the engine area also.

Thanks guys!
Paul H^^

Title: Re: Balsarite vs dope
Post by: Bill Mohrbacher on February 03, 2008, 11:40:36 AM

I use Monokote and more often Ultrakote and don't use any Balsrite with them.  Recently I've started using Coverite Coverlite on indoor models and OTs.  It looks like tissue when applied, but is some kind of polyester.  It has no adhesive backing, so you need to coat the framework with Balsarite first, then apply the Coverlite using a heat sealing iron.  The purpose of the Balsrite is its adhesive properties.