stunthanger.com
Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Matt Brown on October 27, 2018, 08:33:06 AM
-
I’m probably making this harder than it really is, but I’m really stressing over doing a dope finish on my Primary Force. I’ve used film the last 35+ years. I’ve covered everything in pieces, cut away covering as needed to do final assembly. However on several of the facebook groups I follow I see most seem to completely assemble planes including hinges. Years ago I even bought a Genesis at a swap meet that was nearly complete with everything covered except the flaps and elevators which were fully hinged. Sorry I sold it now but I just didn’t know how to approach covering the control surfaces and finish painting it without making a mess of it.
Now I feel like I should put myself in that same boat with my Primary Force. I just can’t conceive how to apply silkspan especially between the hingelines and get good paint coverage. Are there any good videos or tutorials that will help enlighten me? Even better, I wish I could shadow someone while they going through the process.
Any other suggestions on how to proceed?
Thanks, Matt
-
Get a big pot of coffee and some good rolls and start reading through this section. Of course everybody has their method. I now don't plan on using dope on planes. You will find posts on using SLC/silk span/and doctor paper. The SLC/mylar over Poly-span/silk span/tissue is the way to go for me. Like any thing it takes practice, patience and time. H^^
-
Get a big pot of coffee and some good rolls and start reading through this section. Of course everybody has their method. I now don't plan on using dope on planes. You will find posts on using SLC/silk span/and doctor paper. The SLC/mylar over Poly-span/silk span/tissue is the way to go for me. Like any thing it takes practice, patience and time. H^^
Unfortunately reading doesn’t teach me much. I am much more of a visual learner.
Matt
-
I was taught to finish the parts first, then add the hinges. Replace the hinge pins with a single wire for each control surface.
-
I was taught to finish the parts first, then add the hinges. Replace the hinge pins with a single wire for each control surface.
Post a nice tight photo of this installation please.
Possibly more than one model.
I've considered this application and a photo or three would be just dandy.
-
Hi Matt,
Not a biggie at all. Hing the elevators but don't glue them in place yet. Cover with silkspan (or what ever) and paint as normal, cut the the covering away with an Xactor knife from the hinge pocket. Glue the hinges to the stabilizer with PU glue and allow to dry (make sure you wipe off any excess glue on the hinge barrel. Attach the elevators in the same manner only use wax paper between the elevator and stab. Cutting a small slit in the wax paper to slip over the hinge to protect the hinge barrel from glue. You can also use slow drying epoxy but you have the clean off the hinge barrel before it cures or the hinge will be sticky or frozen.
Another helpful hint is to apply Vaseline sparingly to the hinge barrel with a Small paint brush and heat the hinge with a hairdray er. The heat allows the Vaseline into barrel of the hinge. Wipe off and install the hinges. There are a number of ways to do this, but they are all really easy to do.
Later,
Mikey
P.S. I still think that nyLon hinges are the smoothest and quickest way to do hinges. Use the nylon hinges and dope them place. After you have three coats of dope on them, cut small squares of silkspan and dope them in place over the hinge. They almost disappear after the sanding sealer. I’ve used the removable hing pin before and it worked really well.
-
check out YouTube for "Windy U Brodak Dope". he goes through it all step by step. pretty much, do all of your covering and painting, then install your flaps and elevator at the end, being REALLY CAREFUL to not make a mess ;)
-
check out YouTube for "Windy U Brodak Dope". he goes through it all step by step. pretty much, do all of your covering and painting, then install your flaps and elevator at the end, being REALLY CAREFUL to not make a mess ;)
Dang! Those are some long videos. It will take me a while to work those into my viewing schedule.
Thanks!
-
... Glue the hinges to the stabilizer with PU glue ...
PU glue?
-
PU glue?
Polyurethane aka Gorilla glue
-
Post a nice tight photo of this installation please.
Possibly more than one model.
I've considered this application and a photo or three would be just dandy.
This thread (https://stunthanger.com/smf/building-techniques/hinges/msg427607/#msg427607) goes over it in some detail, although on just one model. I grind enough of a point onto the music wire so it's easy to get it started in the hinge but blunt enough so that it won't draw blood (because that would mar the finish, after all).
-
OK, that's it, I've had enough. I'm going back to silkspan and dope. I grew up breathing the stuff so what the hell if it kills me. Besides I love the smell.
-
I think truly model aircraft dope has prolonged some lives. Nothing like as a young person painting(brushing) Testors Butyrate dope in a closed bedroom. Mother didn't want the fumes to be too strong in the rest of the house. D>K
-
When I first got married we rented a ground floor apartment at a three story complex. I built a Smoothie on the coffee table. The first coat of dope on the wing perimeter to attach the silkspan hadn't even dried and the building manager was knocking at the door.
-
It's amazing how a woman can come home from the nail shop with her fingernails and toenails painted using the same solvent and complain about a little acetone, MEK, and xylene in the house.
The really-good stuff from the pre-70's is off the market.
-
It's amazing how a woman can come home from the nail shop with her fingernails and toenails painted using the same solvent and complain about a little acetone, MEK, and xylene in the house.
The really-good stuff from the pre-70's is off the market.
Exactly what good stuff would that be?
C
-
OK, that's it, I've had enough. I'm going back to silkspan and dope. I grew up breathing the stuff so what the hell if it kills me. Besides I love the smell.
I don't even smell it any more. Suppose that's a bad sign?
Brett