OIL ON BALSA
 

When I installed the torque rods I got some ca on the rods and it made the rods hard to turn so I used some 3in1 oil on them(it worked). The problem now is that the balsa at the T.E. near the torque rods soaked up some the oil and it shows as a patch of dark balsa and nothing will stick to that area not even tape. I am about start covering the wing and I need the ultracote to stick to this area. I was thinking of spraying with Lusterkote or apply thin ca maybe if these soaked in the balsa I would have a better service to stick to, HELP.

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

Try some K2R carpet cleaner.
Ace Hardware carries it.
Not all employees know where it is.
Good Luck,
KW_Counter

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

After using the K2R, you can apply some Balsarite to the effected area which will help the covering stick to the wood. Good Luck, Dave

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

Yea, oil is tough to get out.

Several applications of K2R may be needed. You can also try several applications of alcohol followed by cornstarch or baking powder. You may even want to let it sit in the cornstarch/baking powder overnight.

Once you have gotten as much out as you can, then a layer of paint, or Balsarite will help to keep the oil away from the surface.

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

Yes I commonly use baking powder or talcum (what ever I find in first), some times I have to let it several days cleaning up the part daily and pouring new baking powder or talcum as I go.

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

Would a thinned layer of epoxy spread over that spot work? Since it is just a spot and not a big spill?

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

It would be better than nothing, but you would want to at least try to get some of the oil out first or the epoxy will have nothing to stick to.

Also, epoxy is not the best thing to stick covering to because it gets a waxy film on it as it cures.

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

Put a folded paper towel over the oil area. Set your covering iron as high as it will go and put it over the paper towel, moving slowly back and forth. The oil will bubble out and get soaked up by the paper towel. Change the towel often, and keep doing this until no more oil gets on the paper towel. After you have a clean towel, do a final clean up with K2R. I have not tried this for this for 3 and 1, but it sure works great for oil residue from the engine, so I don't see why not.

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

Acetone

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

Yes, actetone, with nitrile gloves on, works great on removing oil. It's a bit nastier than K2R, but is less expensive and works well.

Jack

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

I've used K2R (dry cleaner for carpets - I get mine from Ace Hardware) for cleaning fuel soaked wood also - wood so soaked that is was black deep down into the grain to the point the black never came out of the wood. I sprayed the K2R on and let it sit 24 hours. I wiped off the white powder residue with a paper towel followed by a wipe with rubbing alcohol, then repeated a second time. Afterward I wiped the area down several times with rubbing alcohol, did a light sanding followed by a wipe down with a tack cloth and another quick wipe with rubbing alcohol, and then recovered. I found the covering (MonoKote) stuck with just hand heat, and after I used an iron on it I found it almost impossible to lift without destroying the MonoKote. Over 2 years later when I sold the plane the covering was still stuck and showed no signs of wrinkles while the rest of the plane was showing typical wrinkles from seasonal change.

Hogflyer

RE: OIL ON BALSA
 

After reading the title of your thread, I was expecting to see a picture of original artwork. :)