Balsa Skin Finishing
 

I'm skinning my first RC, a Don Smith 1/9 B24 J. Like a typical man, I don't ask directions until I can't figure it out myself. How do you fill the grain of balsa so when you paint it, the paint doesn't drop into the grain and when it dries it still looks like balsa. I've tried thinning down carpenters wood filler with water until it's the consistency of thick water, brush it on, sand when dry and multiple coats of primer. It seems like a lot of work and still some of the grain shows through. Any suggestions on how to do it once and be done with it.

Thanks in advance,

Tally Ho

Dave Y.<br type="_moz" />

RE: Balsa Skin Finishing
 

when i painted balsa, I first sprayed on a light coat of sandable primer which fills in all the grain and can be easily sanded smooth. I cant recall the name of the stuff I use right now.

RE: Balsa Skin Finishing
 

Sanding sealer then a light sanding then a shot of auto primer and sanding.

RE: Balsa Skin Finishing
 

Filling the grain is a lot of work period, there's no getting around it. You either need to use fiberglass cloth or silkspan to cover the balsa first and then use epoxy, polyester resin or a water based polyurethane to fill the weave. I've also heard of Klass Kote clear being used on bare wood with good results. Any method that you use though, a lot of sanding is needed.

FB

RE: Balsa Skin Finishing
 

In the big box store, I was looking at sanding sealer. The sanding sealer was laquer base and most aresol paints are enamel based. Wasn't sure if the final paint wouldn't have a problem going onto a laquer base. Anyway, if you've done it and it works, that's what I'll do

Tally Ho

Dave Y.

RE: Balsa Skin Finishing
 

I would highly recommend glassing the plane, you will not have a very resiliant finish just filling the grain of the balsa and painting. I have used Sig Koverall and Polycrylic for this as well and it works great. You will be alot happier with the finished product in te end.
Good LucK!!
Anthony

RE: Balsa Skin Finishing
 

Without covering it with something, the plane is very fragile. I have had 2 planes that I did not cover the fuse. One with a hard landing and the other with a mild crash, every joint in the fuselage blew apart. Literal re-kit. Never had it happen with with a covered plane. Cover with tissue, silk , silkspan, fiberglass, Koverall, monokote, but cover it. I would go with fiberglass and water based poly.

RE: Balsa Skin Finishing
 

Thanks for all the input. I will definitly look at all the suggestions and pick one.

Tally Ho

Dave Y.