Need info
11-28-2007, 11:26 PM
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Need info
Hi Guy's
After a long time await my MK Skystar 90 is over . Now is the time to Cover. I saw a Japanese Website of a Pattern flyer who explains fiberglass or silk covering and then painting it. Since its in Japanese I couldn't make out a word just could see some pic's.
My airplane is a Rib construction . I need to know if somebody has ever covered a balsa airplane with Fiber Glass and then Painted. I would appreciate if I can get some good suggestion on the same. I don't want to experiment as its a lovely airplane and a expensive kit.
Sharad
After a long time await my MK Skystar 90 is over . Now is the time to Cover. I saw a Japanese Website of a Pattern flyer who explains fiberglass or silk covering and then painting it. Since its in Japanese I couldn't make out a word just could see some pic's.
My airplane is a Rib construction . I need to know if somebody has ever covered a balsa airplane with Fiber Glass and then Painted. I would appreciate if I can get some good suggestion on the same. I don't want to experiment as its a lovely airplane and a expensive kit.
Sharad
11-29-2007, 01:32 AM
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RE: Need info
You mention that it is a rib construction but is it fully sheeted wing? or is it like a typical sport plane with partial sheeting and cap strips over the ribs (like open bays)? If it's fully sheeted, you can use fiberglass and either epoxy resin or polyester resin to attach it. another new method is using clear polyurethane paint as a bonding agent. I haven't tried that method yet so I can't tell you how well it works.
As for fiberglass or silk, the methods are way different in how they're applied. Silk is usually doped on and then painted with multiple coats of dope. The dope shrinks the silk as it dries and you end up with a really nice finish if done well. We don't see too many done that way anymore because of the time needed to do a good job and the prohibitive cost of the silk itself. Most sport jobs are covered with some type of plastic film like MonoKote or Oracover or a synthetic fabric like Sig Koverall or SolarTex. SolarTex is a ready to use iron-on fabric whereas Koverall needs an adhesive of some sort to apply (like balsarite or even dope can be used).
Hope this clears it up for you a little.
As for fiberglass or silk, the methods are way different in how they're applied. Silk is usually doped on and then painted with multiple coats of dope. The dope shrinks the silk as it dries and you end up with a really nice finish if done well. We don't see too many done that way anymore because of the time needed to do a good job and the prohibitive cost of the silk itself. Most sport jobs are covered with some type of plastic film like MonoKote or Oracover or a synthetic fabric like Sig Koverall or SolarTex. SolarTex is a ready to use iron-on fabric whereas Koverall needs an adhesive of some sort to apply (like balsarite or even dope can be used).
Hope this clears it up for you a little.
11-29-2007, 02:00 AM
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RE: Need info
Its a have sheeted wing with caps strips on the rib. I know its a TDS job an more over expensive as I was thinking spray paint by a professional painter. Monokote and oracover I am aware and have been using for years. The problem is if u need to some real special job you cant as it requires lot's of precise cutting.
