Painting Solartex fabric
05-02-2012, 05:19 PM
#1
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Painting Solartex fabric
I just purchased 5 meters of Olive Drab Solartex from Balsa USA and I want to paint Invasion stripes on my Carl Goldberg Cub.It is a nitro plane so it will need to be fuel proof.What type of paint should Iuse?
05-03-2012, 01:06 AM
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RE: Painting Solartex fabric
I use automotive K2 (2 part ) spray paint.
Just a heads up. Solartex, just as all the other "tex" type coverings are not fuel proof and will get dirty and scruffy quickly if not sealed - especially underside of fuse etc.
I use automotive K2 ( 2 part) clearcoat, thin it down and spray the whole plane with it - minimal weight increase as the thinners evaporates off and the clearcoteseals the fabric - then you can paint your stripes etc on it without the paint running into the fabric, This way you get nice sharp lines and having the whole plane sealed, it will be good for many years. Some of my planes are10 years plus old and still in mint condition. The K2 clearcoat seals and strengthen the covering.
Cheers
Bundu
Just a heads up. Solartex, just as all the other "tex" type coverings are not fuel proof and will get dirty and scruffy quickly if not sealed - especially underside of fuse etc.
I use automotive K2 ( 2 part) clearcoat, thin it down and spray the whole plane with it - minimal weight increase as the thinners evaporates off and the clearcoteseals the fabric - then you can paint your stripes etc on it without the paint running into the fabric, This way you get nice sharp lines and having the whole plane sealed, it will be good for many years. Some of my planes are10 years plus old and still in mint condition. The K2 clearcoat seals and strengthen the covering.
Cheers
Bundu
05-03-2012, 06:33 AM
#5
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RE: Painting Solartex fabric
Not true, Solartex is fuelproof as it comes from the distributor. Now it does have a grain that can collect dirt and grime if you give it a chance. Lots of users just clear coat it with a suitable paint to make it easier to clean up but: it is completely fuel proof without any additional paint. This is true for all the xxxtex's.
05-03-2012, 07:56 AM
#6
RE: Painting Solartex fabric
Lusterkote is also an option. If you choose this route, use light coats to build up to the coverage you want. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXCUJ0&P=7
05-03-2012, 09:07 AM
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RE: Painting Solartex fabric
I've been using Solartex and the other "tex" type materials for the past 30 years plus - it is my covering of choice, whilst fuel may not go through to the wood, the black oil residu from the engine stains the material and it loses its look. If you seal it, it stays nice.
In the last 10 years I have covered 1 3rd scale Cub, 1 3rd scale Tiger Moth, 1 3rd scale Piper Arrow II, 1 Fly Baby, 1 Xtra 300s, 1 Stadaucher, 1 3rd Scale Gee Bee Model Y, I 3m Nietoperz, 1 Proctor Parasol,5 x 1.8m - 2m wing Stiks, 1 Cloud Dancer with Solartex and Oratex, just to name a few... If you want to keep the plane looking sharp, you have to seal it from the outside. If not, even the seems will peel.
Cheers
Bundu
In the last 10 years I have covered 1 3rd scale Cub, 1 3rd scale Tiger Moth, 1 3rd scale Piper Arrow II, 1 Fly Baby, 1 Xtra 300s, 1 Stadaucher, 1 3rd Scale Gee Bee Model Y, I 3m Nietoperz, 1 Proctor Parasol,5 x 1.8m - 2m wing Stiks, 1 Cloud Dancer with Solartex and Oratex, just to name a few... If you want to keep the plane looking sharp, you have to seal it from the outside. If not, even the seems will peel.
Cheers
Bundu
05-03-2012, 01:57 PM
#8
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RE: Painting Solartex fabric
ORIGINAL: Bundubasher
I've been using Solartex and the other ''tex'' type materials for the past 30 years plus - it is my covering of choice, whilst fuel may not go through to the wood, the black oil residu from the engine stains the material and it loses its look. If you seal it, it stays nice.
In the last 10 years I have covered 1 3rd scale Cub, 1 3rd scale Tiger Moth, 1 3rd scale Piper Arrow II, 1 Fly Baby, 1 Xtra 300s, 1 Stadaucher, 1 3rd Scale Gee Bee Model Y, I 3m Nietoperz, 1 Proctor Parasol, 5 x 1.8m - 2m wing Stiks, 1 Cloud Dancer with Solartex and Oratex, just to name a few... If you want to keep the plane looking sharp, you have to seal it from the outside. If not, even the seems will peel.
Cheers
Bundu
I've been using Solartex and the other ''tex'' type materials for the past 30 years plus - it is my covering of choice, whilst fuel may not go through to the wood, the black oil residu from the engine stains the material and it loses its look. If you seal it, it stays nice.
In the last 10 years I have covered 1 3rd scale Cub, 1 3rd scale Tiger Moth, 1 3rd scale Piper Arrow II, 1 Fly Baby, 1 Xtra 300s, 1 Stadaucher, 1 3rd Scale Gee Bee Model Y, I 3m Nietoperz, 1 Proctor Parasol, 5 x 1.8m - 2m wing Stiks, 1 Cloud Dancer with Solartex and Oratex, just to name a few... If you want to keep the plane looking sharp, you have to seal it from the outside. If not, even the seems will peel.
Cheers
Bundu
05-03-2012, 07:59 PM
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RE: Painting Solartex fabric
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
...I have been building planes sense 1956 but all it means is I'm an old man now. I could have been building poorley and crooked for all these years too....
ORIGINAL: Bundubasher
I've been using Solartex and the other ''tex'' type materials for the past 30 years plus - it is my covering of choice, whilst fuel may not go through to the wood, the black oil residu from the engine stains the material and it loses its look. If you seal it, it stays nice.
In the last 10 years I have covered 1 3rd scale Cub, 1 3rd scale Tiger Moth, 1 3rd scale Piper Arrow II, 1 Fly Baby, 1 Xtra 300s, 1 Stadaucher, 1 3rd Scale Gee Bee Model Y, I 3m Nietoperz, 1 Proctor Parasol,5 x 1.8m - 2m wing Stiks, 1 Cloud Dancer with Solartex and Oratex, just to name a few... If you want to keep the plane looking sharp, you have to seal it from the outside. If not, even the seems will peel.
Cheers
Bundu
I've been using Solartex and the other ''tex'' type materials for the past 30 years plus - it is my covering of choice, whilst fuel may not go through to the wood, the black oil residu from the engine stains the material and it loses its look. If you seal it, it stays nice.
In the last 10 years I have covered 1 3rd scale Cub, 1 3rd scale Tiger Moth, 1 3rd scale Piper Arrow II, 1 Fly Baby, 1 Xtra 300s, 1 Stadaucher, 1 3rd Scale Gee Bee Model Y, I 3m Nietoperz, 1 Proctor Parasol,5 x 1.8m - 2m wing Stiks, 1 Cloud Dancer with Solartex and Oratex, just to name a few... If you want to keep the plane looking sharp, you have to seal it from the outside. If not, even the seems will peel.
Cheers
Bundu
05-03-2012, 08:26 PM
#10
My Feedback: (-1)
RE: Painting Solartex fabric
ORIGINAL: G8er
LOL! I love it, 56 years worth of crooked janky planes... ''ARRRG! all these kits stink! all my planes come out wonky!'' ^_^ too funny
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
...I have been building planes sense 1956 but all it means is I'm an old man now. I could have been building poorley and crooked for all these years too....
ORIGINAL: Bundubasher
I've been using Solartex and the other ''tex'' type materials for the past 30 years plus - it is my covering of choice, whilst fuel may not go through to the wood, the black oil residu from the engine stains the material and it loses its look. If you seal it, it stays nice.
In the last 10 years I have covered 1 3rd scale Cub, 1 3rd scale Tiger Moth, 1 3rd scale Piper Arrow II, 1 Fly Baby, 1 Xtra 300s, 1 Stadaucher, 1 3rd Scale Gee Bee Model Y, I 3m Nietoperz, 1 Proctor Parasol, 5 x 1.8m - 2m wing Stiks, 1 Cloud Dancer with Solartex and Oratex, just to name a few... If you want to keep the plane looking sharp, you have to seal it from the outside. If not, even the seems will peel.
Cheers
Bundu
I've been using Solartex and the other ''tex'' type materials for the past 30 years plus - it is my covering of choice, whilst fuel may not go through to the wood, the black oil residu from the engine stains the material and it loses its look. If you seal it, it stays nice.
In the last 10 years I have covered 1 3rd scale Cub, 1 3rd scale Tiger Moth, 1 3rd scale Piper Arrow II, 1 Fly Baby, 1 Xtra 300s, 1 Stadaucher, 1 3rd Scale Gee Bee Model Y, I 3m Nietoperz, 1 Proctor Parasol, 5 x 1.8m - 2m wing Stiks, 1 Cloud Dancer with Solartex and Oratex, just to name a few... If you want to keep the plane looking sharp, you have to seal it from the outside. If not, even the seems will peel.
Cheers
Bundu
05-04-2012, 05:46 PM
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RE: Painting Solartex fabric
05-05-2012, 05:44 AM
#15
RE: Painting Solartex fabric
ORIGINAL: Nergall
Has anyone tried this product??
http://brodak.com/perfect-midnight-b...t-8-ounce.html
Has anyone tried this product??
http://brodak.com/perfect-midnight-b...t-8-ounce.html
05-07-2012, 08:27 AM
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RE: Painting Solartex fabric
Solartex+ latex from HomeDepo. A match made in heaven. No primer, no muss no fuss. Put it on with a foam brush. Perfect for WW1 gas powered models. Behr brand, I think, they will scan a color chip and mix any color you want. As Jeffee says, the dirt and grime that collect in the weave just makes the model look more authentic! A little graphite and colored chalk on a fingertip adds to the effect. Just noticed the OP was asking about paint for glow fuel. I don't build many glo powered models anymore, but the last one I did was my clipped wing cub with solartex and latex, I cleared over with satin polyurethane varnish from Ace hdwe. Let it dry well before firing up the motor!!
05-07-2012, 02:07 PM
#18
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RE: Painting Solartex fabric
ORIGINAL: OldScaleGuy
Actually i had forgotten about Perfect paints. I did use it once probably 30 years ago on a Sig Kavalier and it worked fine. I got hooked on K&B paints but that paint is long gone. A lot of changes have occured since then but it still would be worth a try.
ORIGINAL: Nergall
Has anyone tried this product??
http://brodak.com/perfect-midnight-b...t-8-ounce.html
Has anyone tried this product??
http://brodak.com/perfect-midnight-b...t-8-ounce.html
05-07-2012, 03:24 PM
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RE: Painting Solartex fabric
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
I have a friend that told me he has a bunch of the old K&B on hand. I need him to see how much, what colors and if it is still liquid. If so then Klass Kote part B {hardner works with the K&B. Anyone tried using the appliance epoxy paint? I was given several cans of black but haven't used it on a glow powered plane yet.
ORIGINAL: OldScaleGuy
Actually i had forgotten about Perfect paints. I did use it once probably 30 years ago on a Sig Kavalier and it worked fine. I got hooked on K&B paints but that paint is long gone. A lot of changes have occured since then but it still would be worth a try.
ORIGINAL: Nergall
Has anyone tried this product??
http://brodak.com/perfect-midnight-b...t-8-ounce.html
Has anyone tried this product??
http://brodak.com/perfect-midnight-b...t-8-ounce.html
http://www.shopatron.com/products/pr...0.0.0.0?pp=15&
Anyone tried that?
05-07-2012, 04:22 PM
#20
My Feedback: (-1)
RE: Painting Solartex fabric
Yes, for small areas and things like the cowl. Air brush work. With and without a top coat. It seems to be fuel proof on it's own but I allowed it to dry for the better end of a month. I just gave away a plane that I used it on the cowl, that one I used Lusterkote clear gloss over. The color was a metal flake red, almost a pink I found that matched the Ultrakote Red Metalic. After the Luster clear it was a pretty good match. Searching for matching paint is a thrill now that covering manufactures gave up making matching paint.
