Originally Posted by
Wildstyle
Hi all, I recently got my hands on a kit from Japan. Its a Fantasista Evo
http://www.ctt.ne.jp/~wcraft/
Its a typical laser cut built up balsa airframe with light carbon parts for the belly and nose section.
my question is what special techniques do you guys have when finishing built up balsa airframes? epoxy or polyurethane varish, and fibreglass cloth? any other threads relating to finishing?
I was going to use basecoat/ clearcoat, and do some trails first. rather than using expensive basecoat colours for the complete airframe, I would try enamel or acrylic paint for smaller areas such as pin strips. the small jars of acrylic paint sold in model shops have a wide range of colours including metallics etc. anyone else tried this? from the Japanese blogs I have seen it appears they use a mixture of paints, let it cure well, then wet sand all ridges smooth and then the final clear coat.
http://f3a.sakura.ne.jp/radiocontrol...dction_31.html this blog is full of information
Anthony
My technique is the old and proven silkspan and Jap tissue ( Control Line Stunt like) applied with dope. I use nitrate for the bedding of the paper. I currently use light paper but for a guy who has less experience it's better to start with medium grade...much easier to handle. Beware this is an extremely light and thin finish that is prone to some hanger rash....I do everything over a bed of towels.
For paints I use base coat and clear catalyzed urethane over that.
1/2 ouce glass and epoxy or polycryllic works fine but it is quite a bit heavier and possibly a bit more durable. You still have to be careful with handling