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Old 09-28-2011 | 06:37 AM
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Bill Diedrich's Avatar
Bill Diedrich
 
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Ventress, LA
Default RE: How to paint instead of monokote

Ah looking for the old school way of doing it. If using fiberglass just remember it will
add a lot of weight to the plane. Like MinnFlyer said you will still have to cover the wings.
There are many ways to approach this, one is to use silkspan and dope to cover any open
surfaces, once it is filled with clear & sanding sealer it is the lightest paint job you can get,
control liners still do it this way today to save weight, if a color isn't availalbe in butylrate dope
that suits you, automotive base with clear over them is the way to go, again you have to be light
on the spray as the weight will increase. I find that covering with a cloth based prefinished covering
is the best way to go for most RC models, ie Solartex from Balsa USA is one of the easiest cloth
based coverings to work with, unlike Monokote, it goes around corners and curves really easy and
can be painted over with a slight scuffing with 400 - 600 wet or dry sand paper, it also holds it tightness
once shrunk, so painting with a clear coat over it is ideal for this type of covering. Also is Sig Coverite
which has to be attached with an adhesive and them sealed and painted. It just depends on how much
work you are willing to put into the job to get the finish you are looking for.......and also how good of a
painter you are or have someone that is who can lend a helping hand with the finish.

Bill D.