David Smith

My Feedback: (1)

Hi,

I have just bought a Venus .40 ARF and have a question about fuel proofing the firewall and tank bay. I am an experienced modeller with 30 years plus building and flying experience, but this is my first ARF model. I had planned to use ‘Clearcote’, a clear fuel proofer made by Solarfilm in the UK, but it seems that the firewall is already treated with something, I would like to know what it is as I do not wish to use something which may react with the coating that is already there.

I posted this as an e mail to product support but received an automated reply stating that they could not help me as I am not resident in the USA.



Thank you,

David Smith, Kouvola, Finland

davej78

Dave firewall is as you say perfectly well fireproofed as it comes from the factory, personally I left it as is and gave the tank bay internals a good blast with Flair spray on fuel proofer as its easier to get into all the nooks and crannies with a spray than a brush.

David Smith

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks, Dave. I don't have any Flair fuel proofer (and don't really want another 240 mile drive to the shop and back!), so I'll just slosh some Clearcote around the tank bay, IF I can determine that it doesn't react adversely with whatever is already on the firewall.

Dave S

Flight Hawk

Epoxy mixed with automotive paint thinner is what i use for fuel proofing (brush it on)

Bax

My Feedback: (11)

Any areas not already coated with fuel-proofing material can be fuel proofed with a thin coat of slow-cure epoxy glue. You can usually thin epoxy with alcohol. You can also use polyester finishing resin. Regular Butyrate Dope will work, as will any kind of epoxy or urethane paint. If you use dope or paint, it may take several coats to make sure you have a good fuel-proof surface.

David Smith

My Feedback: (1)

Thank you, I will use what I have, it usually takes 2 coats to fuel proof raw balsa.

David Smith