That pic reminds me of socal. I should move back there so I can fly year round. I'm new to finishing, why use carbon veil and not polyspan, is it lighter/stronger? Did you stick it on with nitrate? Nice plane btw.

MM

I'm new to finishing, why use carbon veil and not polyspan, is it lighter/stronger? Did you stick it on with nitrate?

MM

Thanks Guys!

MM, I'm using the carbon veil on the fuse primarily to cover wood grain and to add a little strength, just like you would use silkspan over raw wood. I covered the open bays on the wings and tail with silkspan. Carbon veil alone won't do well over open bays. This is my first time using carbon veil and it does seem to be quite a bit lighter than silkspan. I stuck it all on using Sig Litecoat dope; three coats of 50/50, Carbon, three more coats of 50/50 (or thinner) to fill the carbon.

I don't know about Polyspan (I've never used it), but it seems to me that folks are using Polyspan to cover open bays and something else to cover wood surfaces. Maybe someone with more experience can comment on using Polyspan over the wood bits?

Mike

To cover the wood grain on solid balsa surfaces I have used Silkspan, Polyspan, fiberglass veil, carbon fiber veil and a combination of Zpoxy, a slurry of vinyl spackling compound and even polyurethane and polycrylic.

They all work but my preferred method is using Carbon Fiber Veil applied and finished as Phil Granderson does.  It is probably the most expensive also. 

Mike

Hope when you sanded the carbon you didn't brush the powder off.  The late great Rusty Brown said the carbon dust was great filler when you put another coat of dope on it.