Hi,

Hope someone can give me some advice, ive built a spitfire and was told to fuel proof the whole thing as its covering is wierd and would not stand up to the fuel. So as adivsed i fuel proofed it with AeroKote Matt Finish which was a brush on mix, BIG MISTAKE the problem is it just wont DRY, its left the whole plane with a tacky feel ive tried to spray over it with a Fliar fuelproofing spray but had no effect and also a Clear Acrylic Spray and again its had no use its still tacky.

Is thier anything possible i could do, as im really about to give up on this plane, just seems a waist as ive destroyed it without even flying it. Guess you learn by your mistakes



Thx for any info

I'm not familliar with this product, but I have used some paints that take up to a week to fully cure. Try leaving it in a WARM place for a few days and see what happens.

Patients.... sometimes going over finishes, especially one over another unlike finishes will have bad effects.
Put in a warm dry place for a couple of days, or-try making a "dryer" with some card board, and a medium wattage light bulb. Don't leave it unattended. You can try wiping the whole plane down with solvent. Use gloves, and have patients. Let dry between wipe downs, and eventually you will get all the goo off. Don't worry about the "finish" as you've stated you are about to give up on the plane as is.
After you have most, or all wiped off, use a very thinned epoxy, polyurethane, or fuel proof clear paint to re-seal.
As a last resort, peel off the covering, and re-cover. (may be the quickest way?)

Good luck,
Jetts

You might try a coat of clear buterate dope. I have done this on occasion when the covering stayed tackey.Experiment with a little spot first to see how it reacts. Buterate dope is fuel proof but nitrate dope isn't

Thx guys for your seggestions.

Can i ask what solvent you would recommend trying to use, as ive made a mess of the wings and maybe trying to get it off maybe the better solution..

Thx

DH,
I would start with some alchohol, or mineral spirits (low power stuff), move you way up to laquer thinner, or acetone (the wicked stuff), may melt your covering, so be careful, as stated, removal, and re-covering may be the best bet. (brown paper and humbrol?)
Good luck,

Jetts

Dragonheart,
One thing no one asked. What was the original "weird" covering surface that you were told wasn't fuel proof? I'm guessing that it was one of those that's been pre-printed with panel lines and rivets, but.... Let us know. The more info you give when asking questions like this, the better the answers you'll get.

Right now everyone is assuming that they know what the original covering was, but if they're wrong, their advice may be BAD! So be careful.
Dennis-

DB, assuming that we are assuming? Hmmmm? You know what happens when we ass u me something. Re-read my bad advice, it was geared toward ANY kind of covering

Jetts