i have been covering my planes with silk or ceconite type covering for over 50 years and have always just given two thick coats of buterate dope on the outside edges. then when appying the covering the coat of clear soakes through and bonds with the balsa coated balsa.. i also always use silver on the covering to protect from sun damage. i have several old models coverec with silk that are well over 35 years old and the covering is still good.

Modellors report thast cheap hairspray makes a decent surface preparation.
However, modern coverings generally work perfectly when the surface is dust free and it is applied at the correct temperature.If they have their own adhesive they will hold very well to themselves.
You can strengthen the seams with lacquer, PVA etc (test a piece first) but they should be good applied to a dust/ oil free base

I used it over 20 years ago when I first got into the hobby and found it to be very helpful getting Monokote to adhere. But now that I only use Ultracote I've found that as long as I get the temperature of the iron correct I don't have problems with bubbling later on. And so I don't see any reason to use Balsarite any more.

if your wife uses aqua net hairspray just lightly sray the balsa with that.it has the laquer in it that balasaite has.but balsaite works well and yes you can carefully thin it a bit.and it doesnt add much of any weight.I use it on sig koverall or coverite.monokote any more rots..ultracote is better but somewhere along the line monokote changed and I prefer other stuff especially with bigger planes.

I have used balsarite for tacking down any film type covering that is starting to peel off the plane due to fuel soaking, improper film application at factory, or in repairing crash damage. I am currently trying in an old oil soaked model that I have removed as much oil as possible from by boiling, talcum immersion, "goof-off" application, and repeated applications/removal of lightweight spackle. I have heard that balsarite will hold down film even if the surface is a little oily.

In the old days when I flew slimepower, when I decided to recover a model there was always an oil soaked area the film did not want to attach to. Balsarite always saved the day. It is amazing. You put the product on the soaked area. Wait for it to dry, and apply the covering. Great product! Use as directed:-)

Gerry

Ok, since we are on the subject about balsrite. About 4 months i got some for up comming prodject. Last night i went to use it, it was a big lump in the can. ???? What is a way to thin this stuff . Since i build a lot of planes that are fabric covering. So i used poly tac. Any help here. Fleet builder & stinson flyer.

Ok, since we are on the subject about balsrite. About 4 months i got some for up comming prodject. Last night i went to use it, it was a big lump in the can. ???? What is a way to thin this stuff . Since i build a lot of planes that are fabric covering. So i used poly tac. Any help here. Fleet builder & stinson flyer.

Post deleted

I need to get some monokote to stick back down. I am having a problem with overlapped monokote peeling apart. What Balsarite formula are you using and are you using it like glue or applying it and ironing the covering back down?
TIA,
John

I like it because it makes covering stick ware it wouldn't before. Plywood, epoxy, fiberglass, stubborn peeling seems, and glow goo soaked wood. I love the stuff. I will, however, thin it with acetone. The stuff it a little thick right out of the can.

Vasek,
You can always take advantage of your "secondary shipper" for those things that the distributers won't ship overseas.

DITTO !! Would not cover a model without using it.

Very wise thought... will PM my shipper ASAP
After reading this thread I'm not sure how I managed without Balsarite ! LOL
Cheers V.

Hi Vasek,
If you go here and look at balsaloc it looks like it does the same job they also do prymol. I have used both and they work well. http://www.solarfilm.co.uk/

Hot Coals, put some butyrate thinner in the Balsarite and it should come back as long as it's at least somewhat gooey still.