Balsarite vs dope

[Paul Taylor]

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

[Brett Buck]

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

    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

[Dennis Adamisin]

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..!

[Paul Taylor]

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

[Bill Mohrbacher]

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.