[quote]ORIGINAL: Boomerang1
= Zor
I suspect where and how you got the idea of having wet paper.
No surprise you got a hole in it. It is not possible to stretch wet paper and next to impossile to apply it evenly without wrinkles.
= boomerang1
Like I said, that was the turning point.
The method I use is:
Using thinners soluble dope (never heard of the other stuff) dope around the EDGE ONLY of the structure where you will
apply the tissue panel, when dry sand it lightly (when you dope balsa it goes all hairy).
I do not know what kind (brand) of dope you use.
Sig dope sold by hobby store is highly diluted. I tried it and I needed three (3) times as much to do the same job (like filling the fabric thickness) compared to genuine aircraft dope as used by full size airplane rebuilders.
The genuine dope does not raise the balsa to be all hairy.
= boomerang1
Cut the tissue panel to suit with a bit of overlap to work with, scrunch it up in your hand, wet it then gently squeeze out the water.
Unfold the panel CAREFULLY & lay it over the frame. If it falls apart or turns to mush it's not rally model grade tissue.
Dope through the damp tissue to adhere it to the frame, gently pull out the wrinkles as you dope the panel on. If you have trouble getting the edges to stick you can use balsa cement which sticks a bit better, it's really only thick dope & the final coats of dope will even it out.
When it drys it shrinks tightening nicely. Give it a coat or two of thinned (about 30% thinners to full strength dope) waiting for the dope to dry between coats.
Leave it to dry overnight then admire what a good job you have done!
Yes, the work is a bit delicate, we are building model aeroplanes after all, not barns! - John.
John,
My description of "how I do (did)" paper covering is just that "a description". Your method also give results you are happy with.
The dope I used was "Aerogloss" and at some time I switched to "Berry Brothers" dope. Berry Brothers was also used by full size airplane refinishers.
As you said "we are building model airplanes, not barns" .
Unfortunately some material suppliers think we are building barns.
The building of model airplanes
IS the hobby.
The flying is only the proof of our hobby being successful.
___
Zor