I'M BACK!!!

[Andrew Saunders]

Well, i am finally back on here. HAvent posted anything for almost a year due to computer problems. Well, this past flying season i lost my ringmaster.. While in the middle of the flight, a bird decided to fly into my lines causing me to lose all control and bringing my ringmaster down. I just got it running good and flying perfectly. Sad day. So for my winter project, i am gonna build another one. Just got the kit in today from Eric Rule of RSM. Great kits i must add. Cant wait to get started on it. Ive posted a pic of the one i just lost.


 So heres a question for you guys, How do i prep and paint the fuselage so there is no woo grain showing through the paint? The wings will be covered with Ultra Kote. Any advice and help would be great!!

[Mike Griffin]

Good to see you back Andrew.  If I try to hide the wood grain on solid balsa surfaces , I use dope and carbon fiber veil process which I think is explained in the archives here.  I also have used Zpoxy finishing resin and diluted spackling compound to fill the grain which Allen Brickhaus wrote about.  There are several ways to do it depending on how much time you want to invest.

Mike

[Andrew Saunders]

What is the easiest and quickest way to go about hiding the grain?

[Steve Helmick]

Before you assemble the various assemblies!

I am a fan of Zpoxy finishing 'poxy...sands great, doesn't shrink, and it's fuel PROOF.  Steve

[Motorman]

Easiest and quickest? mix up some epoxy and smear it on with an old credit card. Or you can brush on 3 coats of Minwax polycrylic and sand it flat then fuel proof with dope. Or you can mix dope with corn starch and use that as a filler. Or, you can ultrakote the tail and fuselage.

MM

[Bill Little]

Andrew,

A quick way is to apply a couple coats of dope to the wood parts, then cover it all with silkspan.  A couple coats of dope to seal it then use the primer Sparky recommends from NAPA.  I think the number is DC 540.  Search to make sure.  Sand the first coat until just the grain has primer in it, one more coat (it is in a spray can) and sand again.  Removing all except that which is in the grain.  Everything looks like it has a case of freckles!  A very light blocking coat (I use Duplicolor Flat White Primer) and apply the final colors.  I can do it almost faster than I can type it!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Scott Richlen]

Bill:

Does dope go over that?

Thanks

[Andrew Saunders]

Does anyone know where i can find the article that Allen Brickhaus wrote on using the diluted spackling compound?