RE: Balsa USA Phaeton II
Building one now (the "90" version). I plan on wiping them with acetone and then sandwiching the struts between 1/32" sheeting with 1/8" square stock in front and behind, then sanded to a streamlined profile. I haven't decided whether the 1/32 will be ply or just balsa. I'm going to try some mock-ups to see what works best. For the 5/32" cabanes just up the square stock size.
I'll be doing the same with the landing gear strut to make it look "scaler".