Author Topic: First time using Superfil! Help!!! (Read 2190 times)

Duke.Johnson · « **on:** August 29, 2013, 09:08:54 AM »

So, I decided to try using Superfil for the first time, for fillets and putty. Things went really well, mixed it,spread it with my finger, smoothed it with water on my finger, went into the house to let it dry. Just sitting on the couch drinking lemonade, thinking that was easy and looks great. This is when I decided I screwed up and needed help. In my back and forth between the BBQ and the building table, I mixed the Superfil 1:1 not 2:1. Will it set up? It seemed to be setting up last night before I went to bed.

Mike Haverly · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2013, 11:55:38 AM »

Duke,

It might partially set up. Do yourself a favor and mix by weight. Use an accurate scale and it will always work. I would scrape it off and start over, you will be happier in the long run. I've been using this stuff for a long time and it works real well, even on that pink profile with the Ultrakote!

Duke.Johnson · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2013, 12:34:16 PM »

Thanks Mike. I know you told me to weigh it before. The problem started when I said I would BBQ last night. Should have walked away from the model until I time to just sit down. I'll look at it tonight and see if it sets.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2013, 12:41:49 PM »

The stuff is pretty tolerant. I've mixed it and been off by as much as 20% (60-40 or 65-35) on the mix and it set up fine. Might wait a bit to see what happens. You can always scrape it off and try again with the correct mix.

Duke.Johnson · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2013, 01:21:46 PM »

Thanks Randy. I was thinking (which I should have done last night), is the white (1 part) the hardener? or the blue (2 parts)? I've also been thinking today if the white is the hardener, I might be alright. It did seem to start setting about the time I was done, say 40 minutes.

RC Storick · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2013, 02:03:35 PM »

When I am in a hurry I mix it 50-50 it will be fine

Duke.Johnson · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2013, 03:22:45 PM »

Thanks, that's a relief. I am in a hurry. It's a Ringmaster for October 5-6th.

Duke.Johnson · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2013, 06:20:52 PM »

It seems to be dry. I hit it with a little sanding, seems good. I'll let it dry tonight since it's raining and I can't dope.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2013, 03:37:55 PM »

The blue is the resin, the white (tan really) is the hardener. You are supposed to mix it 2 parts resin to 1 part hardener. That's why the blue jar is twice as big as the white (tan) jar.

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2013, 07:12:04 PM »

If the dope blisters over the filets it did not set up properly. I learned that the hard way.

Duke.Johnson · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2013, 12:00:50 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on August 30, 2013, 03:37:55 PM

The blue is the resin, the white (tan really) is the hardener. You are supposed to mix it 2 parts resin to 1 part hardener. That's why the blue jar is twice as big as the white (tan) jar.

I knew two parts blue and one part white (mine is not tan), I just spaced when I was working the BBQ. And I thought the white would be the hardener. It worked well, I did some sanding and a couple coats of clear today. Thanks for all your help guys.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #11 on:** September 02, 2013, 02:17:21 PM »

It's cool stuff. I will keep using it unless something better comes along.

Bill Little · « **Reply #12 on:** September 04, 2013, 11:59:01 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on September 02, 2013, 02:17:21 PM

It's cool stuff. I will keep using it unless something better comes along.

When Bob Hunt told me about it a long time ago (back when the rocks were still cooling), I ordered some and never looked back.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

RC Storick · « **Reply #13 on:** September 05, 2013, 12:23:35 AM »

buy it here http://aircraftproducts.wicksaircraft.com/item/aircraft-fillers/superfil-epoxy-filler/sefk-1?&plpver=10&origin=keyword&by=prod&filter=0

john e. holliday · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2013, 04:58:04 PM »

Well while refinishing the Ringmaster I decided it was a good test bed for Super Fil. Read instructions on the canisters and started stirring. I though molasses was thick, was beginning to think I working bread dough. Using the old eye ball trick I mixed up a small cup of the stuff. Put it on the wing joints, stab joint and several spots on the fuse. The stuff set up hard over night and sands very well. Thanks to all you guys for this stuff.

Louis Keller, Jr. · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2013, 11:43:43 AM »

Does it add strength to the wing and tail joint?

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2013, 02:17:58 PM »

Some...it is epoxy based after all. Doc, you can save yourself a lot of sanding by using the butt end of an Exacto knife or similar rounded tool wetted with medical alcohol dragged over the wet superfil to shape an initial concave radius to the filet. The excess materialwill emerge on either side of the filet and can be scraped off before curing with a single edge razor, also wetted with drug store alcohol. Be sure to stir the hardner up every so often, it separates from the liquid hardening agent which leads to insufficient curing.

John Leidle · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2014, 09:02:43 AM »

I wonder if there is a small amount of the stuff I can buy? I bought some a couple years ago & it didn't keep it is pretty stiff , at least the blue is , I bought what I think is a quart , I cant use that much in 5 planes .
John

Mike Haverly · « **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2014, 10:07:38 AM »

John, it should be OK. Put in hot water, it will soften, or in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time. Even a monokote gun will work. I have some that is 10 years old and is stiff but still works fine.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #19 on:** January 15, 2014, 02:13:09 AM »

John, you can have some of mine. It's kinda stiff, but I guess that's normal.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #20 on:** January 15, 2014, 08:59:58 AM »

If your supply is any stiffer than the fresh stuff I just got, I feel for yah. The instructions say to stir before using. I could see why as some of the material was separating. The more I stirred each part the easier it got. Realize the stiffness/thickness of the material is what keeps it in place while it cures. Also mix only enough to do fillet at a time. I know I am slow.

billbyles · « **Reply #21 on:** January 15, 2014, 11:30:07 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on January 15, 2014, 08:59:58 AM

If your supply is any stiffer than the fresh stuff I just got, I feel for yah. The instructions say to stir before using. I could see why as some of the material was separating. The more I stirred each part the easier it got. Realize the stiffness/thickness of the material is what keeps it in place while it cures. Also mix only enough to do fillet at a time. I know I am slow.

I use Super-Fil on my models and on full-scale airplane restoration/repairs. If it has been more than a week between uses of the Super-Fil then I always, ALWAYS mix each component prior to the next use. The tan (hardener) is more critical in this respect than the blue (resin) since the catalyst part to the tan (a fairly viscous liquid) settles to the bottom of the container. It can take a few minutes to get the stuff thoroughly mixed. I use new paint stirring sticks to mix it, a different one for each component. It sounds funny but I loaned my new containers of Super-Fil to a friend once, he followed directions & mixed each container using the same stick. It took awhile but both containers hardened nicely. Back to Aircraft Spruce for more Super-Fil.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #22 on:** January 16, 2014, 09:44:54 AM »

I too used two separate sticks to stir mine. I turned the blue stuff container over on the desk as I could see the dark blue settling. Will need to do the light colored stuff too. Have to get back on the project.

Author Topic: First time using Superfil! Help!!! (Read 2190 times)

John Leidle