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Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Mike Mulligan on December 31, 2015, 08:39:19 PM
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I bet there are a lot of you guys that remember when that meant something entirely different...
Those with long memories might remember some pics I posted of this ship a (long) while back. Well, I just finished with the carbon veil on the fuse. Not sanded yet except for the cowl and a quick start on the nose.
This was the first time using carbon veil and I have to say it really is great. I know this is old news to most of you guys, but it really is great stuff. You just need to get over your airplane looking like you covered it in asphalt.
Happy New Year to everyone!!
Mike
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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
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Looks good! Yeah, carbon veil is great stuff for certain applications y1
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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
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I've only used silkspan, so I'm just regurgitating things I've read:
Yes, the CF veil is for solid wood; it adds more strength than silkspan for the weight (and it's a bit tricky to apply -- apparently you want to brush it with dope once and then stop until it dries -- if you go over it too many times when it's wet it'll stick to your brush).
I've used stuff called "Polyspan" on little RC models, but I'm not sure if it's exactly the same. It's sort of a plastic alternative to silkspan -- it doesn't go around corners as well, but it covers open-bay structures nicely.
Polyspan is for open bays; folks that use it either use silkspan or CF veil on solid expanses of wood.
There. If that's not everything I know, it's more than I actually know.
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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
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Hi Mike. Are there plans available for that Hi Zoot looking bird? Love the looks. H^^ y1 #^ #^ #^
I use lots of carbon veil to cover the fuselage in many of my planes. Let it dry and then dope on two or three 50/50 coats of non shrink SIG clear (Lite Coat). Light sanding and add two more coats with zinc stearate to fill (surfacer) in the weave, such as it is. SMOOTH. Love it.
Wow, thanks Ty! No plans as such, just some basic sketches and patterns. I'd be happy to draw up a set if you'd like! (Might be good to see if it flies first, though! ;D)
I've done the carbon veil just as you describe, with Lite Coat. Got it mostly sanded out and ready for filler (Though when it comes to sanding I'm reminded of a line from the old Leave it to Beaver TV show: "Are you through Wally?" "No, but I think I'd better stop."). Loving the carbon veil! I'm a convert!
Thanks again Ty...
Mike
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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.