Protective Coating For A Foam Wing

I have an A. J. Walker 1/2 A Firebird with a foam wing. It is called "Aerofoam", and is claimed that it has built in protection from fuel.

This may be so, but I want to add another coat of something, just to be sure that the foam won't be eaten away.

What should I use? Since this is a 1/2 A, lightness is important. (I don't want to cover it with a low temp film).

Currell, Alcohol won't eat foam,the oil will make it grungy looking though.Anything that you put on is going to weigh something so bite the bullet and spray on a LIGHT COAT of clear polyurathane any brand will do. The best is floor urathane but then you have to brush it on.One more thing the worst enemy of foam is sunlight.

If you haven't built the kit, remember E-Bay. These are collector's kits and could bring a bit of money to buy your next Johnson engine.

Len: You're absolutely right. However, I did my Johnson thing, and now I have maybe 10 of them. I would like to get another .32 (small case) though. The one I have has busted front lugs.

The Firebird has been lying around, ready for paint, for about 20 years. I extended the nose a little, and made provisions for an upright engine, probably a Tee Dee, but I do have one Norvel 1/2A. I also moved the tail back a little. And added landing gear, and a jet-style canopy. The foam top panels were dirty from lying around all that time, and cleaning didn't get them back to Miss America-teeth white.

Currell,

Having built several Fire Birds and Fire Brands and one Fire Bee, I would recommend that, unless combat (Speed) is your goal, you put either a Black Widow or Golden Bee on theat Fire Bird. It'll be plenty fast and have more than enough power with either of those engines. In addition, the balance point will work out better.