I have a new model that has little or no instructions. It comes with a fiberglass body and beautiful wood covered wings. My question is do I need to cover the wings? Can I just paint them? If so what paint and how many coats?

My only previous experience is with with ARFs that are already covered.

Thanks for any help.

For the best finish, you would want to 'glass the wood prior to painting.

A good article on this subject is here:
http://www.arts-hobby.com/fiberglassing.htm

Great how to article.....breaks it down into easy to follow steps of glassing, and finishing wood for paint. It really is that easy.


Good luck!

Jeff

A good percentage of the wing's strength comes from the covering material, be it film or fiberglass.

If you don't want the wing to disintegrate in flight, cover it!
Dennis-

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll be learning how to fiberglass.

Tony

In most cases you will be better off using film rather than fiberglass. The fiberglass will be much heavier, enough so that it may detract from the flyability of the plane. However, you should cover it with something.

Have build numerous airplanes, all with Monocote or Ultracote covering.

Save yourself the aggrevation of fiberglassing and use the covering. Easier to do, Easier to fix, and more than likely, lighter than fiberglass and paint.

Ed

I assume that the plane has obechie-sheetd foam wings. The covering of choice with that sort ofi wing construction is Ultracote/Oracover. It has a lower application temperature than Monokote and is more foam-friendly for that reason.

Unless you are experienced with glasing and painting, or have ready access to replacement wing panels <g>, I'd avoid glasing the wings.

Ok... I am convinced... no fiberglass.
I will try ultracoat as suggested.

Your advice is very much appreciated.

By the way, I have never ultrcoated either...
is there a good how-to link anyone knows about?

Thanks


P.S. So what do I do with all the fiberglass materials I ordered?

teolis

Dont panic about the fibreglass materials you have ordered.

First suggestion (not knowing what is coming in your order) would be make some simple structures (boxes, spars, etc) and then glass them. Practice is the name of the game, followed closely by experience and familiarity.

Of course after that you get contempt in the form of carelessness. But then if we recognise it in advance it is not a problem....

( Oh, is that what I have been doing wrong. OH DANG!! :O)

If you want to use paint, you need to seal the wood FIRST. The cheapest way is to cover the wings with silkspan and a 50/50 mix if clear dope/thinner. When dry, sand lightly with 220, clean the surface and go to it. Much lighter than sanding sealer.