Installing balsa sheeting
 

I tried something different and it worked so good I thought I would share it here. This time I used Gorilla glue, and held the sheeting in place with 6" stretch wrap. It held the sheet tight and popped right off with a slice from my exacto. It was especially nice as I was dealing with a painted areas and didn't want to use tape. I have pictured the roll of stretch wrap I used. It can be found at Walmart among other places. No pins, no tape, and the Gorilla glue gives you time to get everything where you want it. The stetch wrap holds the wood tight to the sides and gives even pressure over the whole structure, and again, was very easy to remove..

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

What dept in Walmart.
Edwin

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

Thanks for sharing . . . I like the suggestion . . . I'll give it a try. - Seth

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

Look where they keep packaging supplies. I think Lowes and HD have it as well.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

I applied the Gorilla glue to the framing, and wet both sides of the sheeting, laid it in place and then wrapped it tightly with the stretch wrap. After sitting overnight, it is ready the strip and sand. The Gorilla glue sands like the balsa. For layering, I wet the base layer, applied an even coat of glue to the new piece and wet the back side, then wrapped the whole works. Because you stretch the plastic on, it stays tight till you cut it off. The first wrap takes both hands, but after that, and before you have it too tight, you can slide the sheet if it has moved, than continue around a few more times, and it isn't going anywhere.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

I was in Walmart tonight and saw the 6" stretch wrap again. It is with the bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, padded envelopes and such. Shipping supplies. A roll long enough to last for dozens of projects is about $8.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

nice!

david

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

ram3500-RCU,

GREAT IDEA......you are a smarty pants.....:D

I will be using this technique very soon.....

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

Thanks guys. It made this process easier for me this time. Hope it dose the same for you. Please let me know how it works out for you. Nice thing is, the Gorilla glue won't stick to the stretch wrap, so it easy to release and remove.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

I read the CA warning and decided to get away from it as much as I can. This idea and other can make life a lot easier. When I build this winter I will try this.
thanks

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

When you get ready to try it, just PM me if you need any more info on the process. I'll be happy to help.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

go glue is good at filling voids, which may be good for sheet to ribs or formers, but getting
the sheet down completely is hard to know sometimes, thats why i dont think CA is good for
this , because it sets too fast

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

The key to my process is the stretch wrap. This insures good contact of the sheeting to the framing structure. The other thing is the way GO glue cures. It needs moisture. The very thing you want on the balsa sheeting to make it more pliable. Other glues won't stick in such a situation, but that is the very environment Gorilla glue needs. It's all good.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

will do, I may start this summer or fall if time allows.
thanks

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

Great use for this stuff. Thank you.

I used this over the past week to put the final sheeting on the center section of a wing kit I'm working on. I only had to add 1-2 pins on each piece of sheeting. Great technique here.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

Hmmm - Does anyone know if that stretch wrap sticks to epoxy?
If not, it would be a great way to get epoxy/fiberglass/carbon/kevlar onto a fuselage or boat hull.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

I have also used this process for Z-poxy and glass on the underside of my P-38 crew pod. It worked great and DID NOT stick to the epoxy glass. Unlike sheeting though, more care must be used in applying the stretch wrap so creases and wrinkles don't create ridges in the epoxy surface. I had a couple that needed sanding, but they were only in the epoxy and not the glass. Once you slice the wrap and release the pressure, it pops right off, and it held the glass tight to the surface nicely. Here are some before and after shots. I guess I didn't get one with the wrap still on. Next time.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

I normally just use tape with the sticky-side up....that way it sticks to itself and keeps itself tight around the plane without sticking to it the plane and damaging paint/fiberglass/monokote/etc.

Now that you mention it, stretch wrap would be a better way to do it though. I've gotta fix the LE of one of my dad's planes...I guess I'll try your method.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

I love the stretch wrap idea! Thanks for the tip! I have been looking for a way to grow a few extra hands - I think that I found it :)

For those that have used the gorilla glue, have you had any issues with warping, splitting, or any other generally bad outcomes that come with the expansion of the glue as it cures? How about the weight? Maybe this should be another thread, but since it was part of the topic I thought why not?

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

Your Very welcome. I have been using this glue in many applications, all with good results. No failures to date. It sands easily like balsa or hard foam like Depron, so I really like it for these materials. It also works well with fiberglass. Great stuff. It feels heavy in the bottle, but seems to dry lighter.

RE: Installing balsa sheeting
 

Thanks for the additional info. Sounds like I should just give it a go and see what I think :)