Leroy Gardner

Vince I built the mustang as my second build just to show myself I could, guys at my club said I was crazy with only a Goldberg Eagle 11 trainer under my belt, That's when I found out about RCU where I found out about some weaknesses in the gear mounts, needless to say I proved club members wrong with it's first showing at a mall RC plane show and again at a airport area clubs show when there was a real war bird fly-in.

Selling it was more about money to finance other builds, I was hooked on building, the rest is history and I'm not a real war bird guy anyway.

Vince your plane might well be another crowd please'er, it will surely be in a class of it's own.

Leroy

VincentJ

Thanks Leroy!

Mixed the two part Finishing Resin with Denatured Alcohol as I did on the fuselage and glassed the ailerons, flaps and hatches. The ratio that I used was exactly the same as I used previously. The weight of the glass cloth used was also the same (1/2 oz.).

The wing has been sanded, but I'm waiting for filler to dry that I applied to fill the dings that magically appeared in the wing during construction.

VincentJ

Today I not only glassed the opposite side of the ailerons and flaps, but I glassed part of the wing as well! Covering the wing will take place in four steps. Three more to go!!!

A few posts ago, I made mention of holding off installing the wing location dowels during the building of the wing. In Photo #3 you can see how much easier it is to to cover when they haven't been installed.

TomCrump

Looks good, Vince.

It's been too hot to do much modeling, around here. Right now, I'm struggling to get an ARF Super Cub assembled. Temps have been in the 90s, over 20 degrees above average.

Leroy Gardner

Vince I have always used dope for glassing my models and 1/2 oz glass for the most part, I used 3/4 oz. on the spacewalker fuselage because skins were only 1/16" and it would add a bit more strength. I have never used Z-poxy because of the weight difference, but then I don't really know how much it would be, do you have an idea. When you put that on do you use a squeegee to get it smooth , or does it brush on smoothly. How does it sand, I always thought all epoxy was hard. I suppose the fact it doesn't have a toxic odor is part of it.

I do use a mask when I do a big dope project and my wall exhaust fan will pull a vacuum in the shop in about 2 min. to get rid of fumes however it's not really safe if your shop is part of your home, all model builders should know that, some don't.

Leroy

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Nice glass work Vince!

VincentJ

Leroy, you have to try Z-Poxy Finishing Resin next time you lay on glass cloth. Make sure it's Finishing Resin and not their epoxy... It doesn't have any discernible odor so I don't need to wear a mask and it sands very easily! I apply the resin with a disposable camel hair chip brush that you can buy at most any hardware store or Harbor Freight or Home Depot. These brushes are very inexpensive and the best part is that there is no clean up because you toss them when you're through. I think for the wing, I used a 2" brush.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-Chip...00-2/100626098


I cut the Finishing Resin with Denatured Alcohol. So as an example, to do the one section of the wing as shown, I poured 15cc's of Part A, Z-Poxy Resin in a cup and added another 15cc's of Part B, Z-Poxy Resin and stirred to mix. I then added 30cc's of Denatured Alcohol and gave it its final mixing. So in total, you have 60cc's of Resin to apply. I had plenty of left over Resin...Doing it this way will not significantly add the weight that is typically associated with "glassing". First coat should soak right through the cloth and into the wood beneath with out any puddling. The second coat (again applied with a brush) doesn't get wicked into the wood as much and fills the weave in the glass cloth.

What you have when done is a very tough durable skin that adds strength to the structure of your plane that is conducive to applying a nice paint finish.

Thanks Mike! I love to lay on glass...

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Vince, is there anything special you need to watch in selecting the Denatured Alcohol you use?

VincentJ

"Vince, is there anything special you need to watch in selecting the Denatured Alcohol you use?"

None that I know of Mike. Check out the last photo in Post #977, it shows the type of Denatured Alcohol that I use. It's made by Klean Strip and it can be used as a clean burning type fuel for stoves. It works great!

Bottom of the wing has been glassed, I made sure to overlap where I left off yesterday by about 1 inch or so...Tomorrow I'll start on the top of the wing.

Leroy Gardner

Glassing and transforming balsa to a slick ready to nearly paint is a good feeling, I can almost smell the paint. Epoxy shows the beauty of the wood and has a nice shine to it, all most a shame to paint it. Being a working stiff now your making good progress Vince, keep up the good work.

Leroy

SteveD-RCU

My Feedback: (2)

Nice work Vince,I'm just starting my Bravo and will use some of your ideas on mine....

VincentJ

Thanks Leroy, things will slow down when I pull out the rivets! LOL

Thanks Steve, I'm flattered that you will. Did you just get your Bravo kit or have you had it awhile? Good luck and remember to have fun with it! Hope you have a large build table!!! Post some pics!

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Vince, did you get anymore fiberglass work done?

VincentJ

Yes Mike, see Post #984. I glassed the remaining half on the bottom of the wing. I had trimmed off the glass cloth on the one half of the wing before I snapped a photo of the side I just glassed. It probably appeared to you as unglassed. Tonight I will start on the top side of the wing! I should be all through with glassing by Wednesday, then I will apply a second coat of resin over all the parts to fill the weave in the cloth.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

It is looking nice. I must agree with what was earlier stated fiberglass properly done really brings out the beauty of Balsa wood. When I get back on it I plan on fiberglassing the TF 182 with 3/4 oz. cloth to strengthen the 1/16" sheeting. If it comes out half as good as yours I'll be happy.

Leroy Gardner

Had to laugh, I forgot about the rivets, that will surely slow things down. I have no clue how many of the rivets your going to do, there must be panel lines also. This is going to be one sweet airplane.

Leroy

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Vince, is a wiz at panel lies and rivets, he has just enough OCD to get it done!

VincentJ

Yes it will get done, but this is what you look like after installing just a couple hundred rivets! LOL

VincentJ

Today's progress...Just one more half to go!!!

Leroy Gardner

That's funny and I know the feeling that goes with it, I think it's called, cock-eyed.

VincentJ

Last bit glassed! Now for a quick sand and then I'll apply a second coat of resin to fill the weave in the cloth...tomorrow of course.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

It sure looks good all fiberglassed up!

VincentJ

Thanks Mike! It will be in primer soon...

TomCrump

How soon, after glassing, do you apply primer ?

With the water borne products, I wait at least a week, or I have trouble down the road, with paint blistering, when in the sun.

I waited a week, the few times that I've used epoxy, too, just to be safe.

VincentJ

Thanks for a heads up on that Tom. I don't use any type of water borne products. Because of how large this wing is, I'll be using primer from KlassKote sprayed from a gun and not from a rattle can. I have not had problems in the past, but I also had not considered waiting before priming. I still have the second coat of Resin to apply, but you bring up an interesting point on when to safely apply primer! I'll be checking in with Z-Poxy for an answer. I will report what they tell me...