Covering a solid balsa wing (recurring wrinkles)
I built a plane last summer that was a sheeted fuse and the wing was solid balsa carved from a piece of 3/8" stock and a piece of tapered stock.
I took my time and it came out really nice using Monokote. I tacked, stretched and sealed the edges, leaving an air escape, then shrunk the film with a heat gun. Finally I sealed the air escape. This left a covering secured at the edges but not tacked down hard all over. Not a single wrinkle, and smooth as a baby's b*tt. I was pretty proud. Next day I threw it in the truck and hit the flying field after work.
Even on the mild day that we had, the temp changes in the truck caused it to look like a flying prune. (Especially the wing) Boy was I bummed. Took it home and shrunk out the wrinkles but this time, because it was all sealed it caused bubbles. After a lot of work I managed to get most of them out. But now I'm finding any temp change repeats the problem. It happens almost entirely on the wing since it is sealed with film on both sides- the fuse is fine since the sheeting is uncovered on the inside of course and I'm sure that allows it to 'breathe'. I ended up heating and pressing the film hard to the balsa but that helps very little and gives less than a smooth appearance.
I know everybody has their favorite covering and a woodpecker would help on the fuse, but would appreciate feedback on technique, brand of covering, or similar experiences covering a solid, foam, or sheeted wing.