I guess thats all in the subject. I'm a beginner balsa kit builder. How do I prep the wood for paint? Is there anything I want to apply or put on it? Thanks again!

JP

I have been told that you can put a layer of resin (epoxy) on to the wood, then prime, sand and paint. I have never done this but I hear you can.

The other thing you can do is Fiberglass, sand, prime, sand and paint. You will find a number of thread on this site about how to fiberglass a plane, it is not to tough and it gives you a really nice finish to work with, but it will add weight.

This is a house of balsa Kit - meaning it's REALLY weight restrictive. Adding epoxy on it the way you're saying is probably the only way. but - is it bad for the wood just to paint directly on it. I'm painting the cockpit - so it's not like it has to be too nice.

Also do you know any good techniques on making good canapy frames? Or do you just paint them?

Here is a link to what my FW should look like after completed =]

http://www.rcgroups.com/articles/ezo...90/fw19023.jpg

Thanks!

if you use a water-based paint the balsa may swell or distort. other than that it won't hurt the wood any but you'll definitely see wood grain show through and the model will lose some of it's strength since there's not outer covering (ie. monokote, fiberglass, tissue, etc) to use as a "binding" for the structure.

Hi There
Sorry for butting in so late in the discussion but I do have a few pointers for you that may help to solve your problem, firstly you have a great war plane that you are busy with and to obtain a really good finish there are a number of things that you can do. One sand down the whole plane if you intend doing a complete paint job, until round about a 400 grit, then take a very lightly dampened cloth and wipe down the plane up the grain not with it leave over night you will see that fine tiny bits have stood up,sand down again this time with 600 grit or finer the wood will take on a very smooth sheen.If you are happy with the finish apply a very thin layer of sanding sealer, and sand down, repeat the process a second time. Being a war bird you will want to get hold of the greys and blues you need in matt colors. Here comes the tricky bit brush painting doesnt really do justice so a air brush is the thing mark out with a pencil how you wish to decorate the camoflage and apply light coats of the the least applied colors and continue with these until all of the colors are applied except the most used color mask off the areas not to be colored with sign writing tape and newspaper and then apply the major covering color. most important dont be in a hurry leave overnight to dry. remove the newspaper check for small errors correct them,then use a can of crystal clear matt sealer which comes in a can to cover the entire plane. As for the canopy all of the lines defining the frame between the see through bits should be masked off with sign writing tape on the inside and then with a small good sable hair artist brush paint on the inside the frame areas hobby shops stock small tins of black and grey.After that it is sticking on the decals and away you go. Hope this helps throw a line if I was perhaps vaque on a point or two. Oh and a last thingy you will find that if you have been light handed with the paint the wieght gained is very slight.

cheers!!

Thanks for the reply - very RESOURSFUL!