ORIGINAL: DougC1

I’d like to start with a warning:

Do not operate Photo Software while under the influence of Over the Counter Cold Medicine, as you’ll probably delete half of your photos.

So with that in mind, I’ll do the best I can………

The wheel wells have been ‘glassed. The photos show the strut recess being taped and ‘glassed.

As far as the wheel wells themselves, I’ll try to describe as best I can.

-Cut a paper template of the bottom of the well, and of the sidewalls. The sidewall template should be accurate in circumference, but intentionally cut oversized in length (depth). This extra length will allow overhang out of the wells.
-Sandwich a piece of fiberglass between two pieces of paper. Smooth the fiberglass, and try to straighten the weave prior to placing the top piece of paper.
-Staple the paper/fiberglass/paper together around the edges. The staples should be placed just to the outside perimeter of the paper template of the piece that is to be cut (in this case, either the bottom of the well, or the sidewalls).
-Tape the template on the sandwich with clear tape.
-Cut out the fiberglass, using the template as a guide.

The bottom of the wells was fairly simple; drop the fiberglass in, and slowly apply the resin. The foam brush needs to stay put for several seconds so as to allow the resin to penetrate through to the balsa, and not lift off when removing the brush. This can be particularly troublesome on the sidewalls.

The bottom of the wing had masking tape covering the wheel well, and then the tape was cut to expose the well, using the sidewall as a guide. The first sidewall went smoothly, however, the amount of time I consumed waiting for the resin to penetrate the first sidewall allowed the resin to thicken enough that the glass would lift when ‘glassing the second one. Next time, I’ll make a second batch of resin.

With the top of the wing and the wheel wells glassed with one coat, I’ve added 1.6oz thus far.

Oh yeah, if using a foam brush, you can save a few bucks by simply making your own with a hunk of foam and some tape.

Sorry for the lack of photos. You know you’re getting old when Children’s Dimetapp and computers don’t mix………..