Finishing a King Kobra
 

I havnt built many kits to this extent. I am finishing my King Kobra and was looking for tips as to finish like epoxy/glass, dope/glass etcor just a cote of finish epoxy or primer. I still havent decided yet weather to paint or cover. Any tips or sugestions would be appreciated.

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

I am currently covering my king kobra. The build thread is here on rcu. Have a look. I'm covering everything except cowl and canopy. I even covered the platic turtle deck. Turned out fantastic. I used ultracoate.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9309803/tm.htm]King Kobra Build By TWN[/link]

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

I was following your build, very nice. I was just looking for other tips and methods.

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

Thanks, I was thinking to glass and paint but I would have ended up doing an arfy like finish (so I can see it) anyway so I thought ah... :D Ultracote!:D Plus I have too much on my plate for a bigger job such as glassing. I still have to get my 27% gassers ready for this season. I think I would go nuts without my 50cc extra 260 :eek: and I'm really missing my 50cc Ultimate too, needs a new engine...

I have glassed before and I prefer using zpoxy, unthinned with a roller. It does a perfect finish with very little sanding. I used .5 oz cloth on a wing and I JUST filled the weave with 3 rollings sanded with 100 grit for 5 minutes then 20 minutes with 220 and then 20 minute with 400, ready for paint! I used the home hardware 4" foam rollers cut down to 2". U have to cut them down or u will loose A LOT of zpoxy into the roller.

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

In my case I have started glassing any plane I build that is fully sheeted. I also gave up on any of the epoxy finishes, too heavy and too much sanding, I just hate sanding!! I started using Deft Sanding Lacquer to lay my glass. I too only use 1/2 Oz. glass. You really need to have an open area when using the Deft though, that is the only problem with it. Talk about a smell that will really knock you over!! Anyway, you just slather on two coats of sanding sealer first thing then sand smooth. This just keeps the deft from flowing into the wood and being wasted. Then glass using the Deft with cheap throw away paint brushes. I do two coats then sand. Now I mix some deft 50/50 with baby powder or Talc and coat the glass and sand between coats until all the weave is filled. I use very fine sanding paper after I have sanded the last coat and the plane is just super smooth. I really like the Klass Kote paint, don't like the price but what a great finish and the stuff is bullet proof. Because I live in such a warm area, hotter then the hinges on the gates of hell during the summer, a nice glassed and painted surface never bubbles or sags. With the Klass Kote I don't get any hanger rash either. When the Deft gasses off it looses about 80% of it's weight so it is a good choice for glassing. Just really stinks!!!!

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

Thanks Grey Beard thats another idea which brings up another idea/question. Since Deft and dope are a laquer based product, would a laquer automotive primer work as well? The primer would deffinatly sand easier. I just worry abour the foam cores in the wings.
Also where do you buy the talc? I have heard of it being used in several other areas when building as well.

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

The worst that I have ever had the discomfort to smell is using trim solvent on a hot iron right under the nose. Trying to get that nasty monokote glue/color off of the iron cause it is getting under that new piece of white I'm trying to put on, LOL

WOW, talk about nasty, perfuse and one little snort at the wrong time, even just a tiny one u gotta put the iron down and run fer yer life...

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

Corner drug store. It is essentilly baby powder with out the fragrance.

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

For paint there are a number of ways to go:

klass kote (epoxy paint) fuel proof
omni au or ppg ( 2 part erathane) fuel proof
latex (u need to clear this, I have no idea what will go over it. ppg makes a concept clear that is nitro fuel proof)
nelsons (water based and fuel proof)


for glassing u can also use a minwax product to apply and fill the weave. I'll find out and post it here, I have a can of it in my basement

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

Yep, it's Talcum Powder and just removing the baby powder smell is worth the world. remember, the powder is just a weave filler and most of it is sanded off, guess what my shop floor looks like when I'm doing it!! Foot prints going in and out too. Nothing like a shop smelling like you just powdered a baby butt. After sanding I leave my planes for several days and the finish gets harder and harder. I haven't seen any primer that didn't stick to it. I use Klass Kote paint, they have there own primer but I just buy mine off the shelf at the hardware store. KK tells you what works best and what you can use. If you have the money then it's best to always use the products from one company. KK thins to a 50/50 mix and goes a long way. I use a cheap HVLP spray gun I buy at Harbor Freight, about 12 bucks when on sale. You can even use foam brushes with it. I just buy a gallon of the cheap thinner at teh hardware too. That way I don't sting out when cleaning my gun. Good way to glass and a good paint to use.
TWN, last time I glassed I closed the door to my shop, when I was finished I discovered I haven't felt like that sense the 70s!!!;) I was a total wreck!!:D

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

 LOL at the 70's. I have a polyurathane made by rustoleum called varathane . Its a water based urethane as well so im gonna assume it will work the same as the minwax product. I thought baby powder is what everyone was talking about but wasnt realy sure, i work in a spair bedroom so that will prob make people think i have a baby in there lol. I do auto body repair so paints arnt a real big deal. Im trying to avoid solvent based products cause my furnace is right outside the room i work in. If all else fails I will try the deft, ill just have to stay late at work :( to use it..

RE: Finishing a King Kobra
 

i used glass, minwax polycrylic and nelson paint. most of the steps are tracked in the build thread. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6819340/tm.htm