Silkspan covered fuselage

[Steve Kientz]

I'm working on my 2nd airplane and I have a question.Will a silkspan covered fuselage (profile)take paint better? My 1st plane has minimal paint ,you can still see wood grain i thought by covering it with silkspan it might help with paint coverage.I'm not looking for a  concours finish ,just better than my previous attempt.

Thanks
Steve

[Jim Thomerson]

Yes,  I would suggest getting the fuselage smooth and enough dope on it to be shiny, then putting the silkspan on with thinner.  Then more dope.  The silkspan will strengthen the fuselage some as well.  I'd suggest silkspanning the fuselage before installing wing, tail, etc.   

[Steve Kientz]

  Since it's winter here I'm building in the basement.Will Minwax Polycrilic work instead of dope and thinner? i realize it isn't fuelproof,but definitelylee vapors.

thanks
Steve

[Jim Thomerson]

You can finish your fuselage with thinned-down titebond glue.  Sand it gently as the glue will get gummy with friction heat.  Then put your silkspan on with thinned down titebond and again sand smooth, more coats of thinned down titebond if you want.  Then put whatever finish you want over it. 

[Steve Kientz]

  Thanks for all the help. Will probably try the thinned titebond,most familiar with that product.

thanks again
Steve