Ok, I just thought of another question:

I'm sure at some point I will end up w/ a plane nose down in the water so...

If I'm building a plane from a kit, or even my Alpha 60(which is complete) is there a smart way to seal the balsa with some kind of sealer or water repellent?

My common sense tells me that the epoxy won't work w/ sealer, so I better wait till after it's all glued.


As always, Thanks ahead of time.
Dan

I'd be reluctant to use ANYTHING before it's glued....sealer seals glue, too.
However, major subassemblies that are likely to get dunked (basically anything in front of the spar) should be sealed. I use water-based polyurethane varnish as a brush-on, or the stinky spray-can poly if I am spraying it. Polyurethane is very chemical-resistant, and covering sticks well to it. I also use WBPUV as the adhesive when I glass the floats or hull of a plane. Not toxic like epoxy, and plenty strong. It will Wash-off if I screw up, instead of soaking stuff in solvents.

Ditto from me, exactly what JimCasey states. I love the water based polyurethane, or often called 'polycrylic'. It dries quickly, cleanup is a snap, you can brush it or spray it...etc.

Chad