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painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 12:29 PM   
2PUPS


 

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Is there a way to paint balsa surfaces without haveing to use a covering material , if so , does anyone know the process of doing this . I have been searching for it but cant seem to find it , any help would be appreciated .



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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 12:59 PM   
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Status: offline 		Sure, but the wood grain will transfer back through in no time, and the first time you set it in the sun...

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 4:31 PM   
ArcticCatRider



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Status: offline 		It's really a huge pain in the rear.

What I've done in the past is repeadetly rub wood filler, like spackle material, into the wood grain. Then sand, then apply, then sand and on and on and on.

Once you paint over it then it looks like a nice finish. I try to cover any balsa with covering. It's easier and almost always looks better.

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 4:33 PM   
stevenmax50


 

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I've only painted fabric covered models.  And done correctly, weight does not become an issue.  I'm just askin, why would you want to paint without a covering?

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 7:02 PM   
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Status: offline 		The reason you can't find any information on it, is because nobody does it..

The process of filling/sealing the wood to the point it will not absorb moisture, would be far more heavy than covering with tissue or fabric before painting. It can be done with sanding sealer or nitrate - multiple coats prior to painting, but don't expect a long lasting finish.

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 7:34 PM   
2PUPS


 

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Status: offline 		Thanks for the replys . I just thought there might have been a different way of covering the plane instead of the usuall ways . I`m going to cover and paint as per instructions.

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 7:38 PM   
Guillermo Ibanez



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quote:

ORIGINAL: 2PUPS


Is there a way to paint balsa surfaces without haveing to use a covering material , if so , does anyone know the process of doing this . I have been searching for it but cant seem to find it , any help would be appreciated .



J.B.S.

I use an automotive primer filler and then paint over the balsa. Finish is very good.....

Or you can use K&B epoxy primer if it still exist in the market and the use K&B epoxy paints......


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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 9:51 PM   
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But to use car paint/filler/ products you have to first seal the balsa surface with either 25g glass fiber/24 hour epoxy or the old fashion "dope" paper or nylon/silk .


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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 10:30 PM   
Guillermo Ibanez



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quote:

ORIGINAL: jaka

Hi!
But to use car paint/filler/ products you have to first seal the balsa surface with either 25g glass fiber/24 hour epoxy or the old fashion "dope" paper or nylon/silk .


Nope..

I have painted many balsa models without sealing the surface with glass fiber or dope.

Just fill major indentations, holes, defects etc with filler, sand, apply an automotive sealer, sand, paint....

< Message edited by Guillermo Ibanez -- 11/4/2009 6:51 PM >


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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 11:13 PM   
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Status: offline 		Guillermo is dead right,quick and easy and the finish can't be equalled.

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/30/2009 11:29 PM   
Gray Beard


 

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Status: offline 		Just paint, no glass. Two coats of sanding sealer, prime, sand and paint. K&B hasn't been around in years but Klass Kote is about the same thing, two part epoxy paint. Bullet proof and easy to work with. In the case of the Daddy rabbit it was just paint I bought at my LHS on the cheap. Klass Kote is a bit over priced but great stuff, it mixes 50/50 with part A&B then you thin 50% and spray. Other then the price it's the best paint I have found so far.

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/31/2009 2:21 AM   
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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 10/31/2009 1:16 PM   
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Status: offline 		Talc mixed in clear dope, slather it on, then sand, sand, sand.

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 11/2/2009 5:10 PM   
iflyg450


 

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Status: offline 		Sig's butyrate sanding sealer works great for me. I have had great results with Stits Poly tone paints over fabric and glass

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 11/2/2009 9:42 PM   
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Status: offline 		Here's another option from Sig http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmart.exe/MainMenuFV4.html?E+Sig. I'm sure the other methods listed will work great also.

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RE: painting over balsa surfaces - 11/4/2009 6:37 PM   
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Status: offline 		Your choices have all been described pretty well. I have nothing to add except that I didn't see anywhere you said what your standard of finish is.

Choices are:

A) quick and easy with grain showing. Don't cover, don't fill the grain. Just spray on a fuel-proof paint.

B) Less quick and less easy and heavier with maybe grain showing and maybe not. Fill the grain, sand, fill some more, sand some more, paint. The grain will probably show later but not as badly as choice A. If the gods smile on you then maybe you'll never see grain again but our gods don't tend to be that benevolent.

C) Or harder and more time consuming but best shot of grain free and lighter than all other except maybe very quick and very easy with lots of grain showing. Cover the model, fill weave, sand, fill some more, maybe fill and sand some more, paint. Best finish at lightest weight. It's the most work.

Pick your poison.

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