Help! Warped balsa sheeting
 

This is what happened: I landed my TWM Zen 50 in a lake. Nothing broke but the wing got wet and the thin balsa has warped. I followed the advice I received at the field, to let the wing dry away from direct sun light or heat to prevent curling of the balsa.
Alas! it curled anyway. There is no gross warping of the wing as I think the ribs and spars are quite strong. However, the edges of the balsa sheets have curled outwards. I am not really sure how the plane will fly in this condition, since the overall geometry of the wing did not change. I would like to be able to repair it though, if possible.

Does anyone have experience in doing this? I would be particularly interested in a technique that does not require stripping the covering of the wing and re-sheeting it.

RE: Help! Warped balsa sheeting
 

You might try spraying the warped balsa with ammonia (from a trigger type spray bottle) and clamping it in place until it drys. This may have to be repeated a few times, but might work on an already sheeted wing.

I have a BVM F-16 kit that I bought from a guy who had it sitting in the shop for awhile. The trailing edge of the wings and ailerons were warped. I used the same technique, and they are now straight again.

Good luck,

Jeff

RE: Help! Warped balsa sheeting
 

thanks, I will certainly try that

RE: Help! Warped balsa sheeting
 

sounds like it needs to be recovered if water got to the wood... (unless your not using a plastic covering and then im just lost.)