Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

I tried some Pactra "Fuel Proofer". It seems watery and the wood doesn't look any different once it dries. Does this stuff worK? Is there something better that I can use?

Thanks for your help.

tazzdevl1

My Feedback: (1)

I use a 50/50 mixture of denatured alcohol and 30 minute epoxy. Just bush it on the surface you want protected. It takes a little while for it to cure. But, it works great and it's cheap, too.

Cliff

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

Thanks Cliff.

It must add a little strength too.

dr_wogz

My Feedback: (3)

Epoxy is always best, although I would not go 50/50. more like one or two drops of alcohol to about an oz of epoxy. (mixing in any more will sofen it to the point that'll rarely fully cure, and leave it quite porous)

Heating epoxy will thin it better than adding alcohol. put your mixing tub in a bowl of hot water. Mix the epoxy as normal, and you'll notice it'll become quite runny. But, be warned - heating epoxy increases the cure time. Best to use a longer cure time epoxy for larger areas. It will also give better penetration too!! [longer cure]

the other alternative, is to paint the area with fuel proof paint. Such as Lustercoat by Top Flight.. (Or Rustoleum brand paint)

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

Rustoleum is Fuel Proof??

You learn somthing new everyday!

Thanks

greenboot

My Feedback: (1)

I've used clear Polyurathane wood finish which is left over from wood working projects. No mixing and cheaper than epoxy. One can lasts a lifetime.

Tom

Crayon

Hmm, heating epoxy actually shortens the cure time substantially.

I used to cure out my custom Group 7 and 27 slot motors in the kitchen oven. Whatever you do, please don't tell my wife!

At about 150 C, overnight curing epoxy completely hardens in 1 to 3 hours depending on the chemical composition.

Epoxy is quite heavy. I'd suggest 2 coats of clear butyrate dope, thinned 50/50, on the balsa followed by a fuel proofer.

Erik

By the way, epoxy is quite toxic and is a powerful sensitizer, e.g. you can develop a severe allergy to it.

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

I take epoxy and thin it with alcohol.
Take a brush and paint it on.
When it dries, it will be a hard, durable, fuel proof finish.

tazzdevl1

My Feedback: (1)

wogz, although everyone has their own ideas of what to use, I've used the 50/50 mixture for sometime now. It has always fully cured and covers like paint. I've not had the problem with it becoming porous. Mixing it this way also extends the curing time. Therefore, giving you more time to work with it. Heating epoxy shortens the cure time causing you to have to rush through a project. Not good. Especially a large one.

just my opinion

Cliff

michpittsman

My Feedback: (11)

meesh-I always used fuel proofer as a protection over water-slide decals; I believe that was its intended application back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and flyers were hand-launching pterodactyls into the volcano. Well, maybe not quite that far back...JIM

rnlocnil

If you heat epoxy that has a one hour or more working time, you're probably still going to have five or ten minutes to apply it. Also, if you need to take a while, some epoxy, such as laminating resin, is as thin as paint but still cures very slowly, at least if you don't mix up 8 oz. at once and leave it in a cup to make a smoking mess. (I build rowboats with epoxy sometimes.)

Greenboot: is that the water based stuff? I wonder how it would work on silk? (I like dope but I don't have a spray hood.) (John Ashcroft: That's nitrate and butyrate dope, go back to chasing the bad guys!)

Cheech

My Feedback: (19)

Me too. And probably less weight than epoxy. I have sure seen some waaaaay overdone fuel proofing on planes that used epoxy.

Flypaper 2

Balsarite is good fuel proofer too. Just paint it on.

BusyBear

I've used the clear polyurathane method too..works great!!!!

DLT

My Feedback: (48)

I've used most of the above to fuel proof wood but for firewall's etc. i'll take thin CA anyday. Doesn't take much and your through with it in only moments plus the fuel will never penetrate it.