UKEY 35 Finishes

Some articles I have read talk about spray finishs and I assume that they are talking of using large spray guns. I have a Paache air gun that I have used for finishing the scrollsawn stuff and have even sprayed acrylics on small wooden toys. Would the Paache worh on an airplane wing?

What are your recommendations for a Sport Finish?

Bob

A touch up gun may be easier to use on larger models than an airbrush. I use a Paasche airbrush for HO trains, but would hate to paint a Nobler with it.....

For a quick and dirty sport finish, Cover the wings with one of the plastic coverings like Monokote. . In the case of the UKey this is alreay done... Mask off the plastic covering except for about 1/4 inch where it stops at the fuselage. Use some fine steel wool to roughen up the 1/4 inch overlap area so the epoxy and paint will stick to the plastic. Get yourself some Z-Poxy, throw away epoxy brushes and a few graduated mixing cups from your local hobby shop. Mix up about 1/2 oz of the Z-Poxy and use a throw away brush to paint it on all bare wood surfaces including the edge of the covering to seal the wood and covering edges. Be pretty liberal around the nose to be sure this entire area is sealed. Before the Z-Poxy begins to cure wipe it down with paper towels to get rid of the excess. This seals and helps fuel proof the balsa with insignificant added weight. The next day sand the entire surface lightly, all you want to do is take off the fuzzes and smooth the surface, not sand the epoxy off.

Once the sanding is complete it is ready to paint with what ever suits your fancy. I have had good luck with dope, Rustoleum and Lusterkote. All will stick to the Z-Poxy base and provide an acceptable finish. My feelings on the caned paint is Lusterkote will give you a tougher finish than Rustoleum but Rustoleum is allot more forgiving of your spray technique. Try all 3 and see which you like best.

One of our guys brought some samples to a meeting the other night of this technique. The only thing he did different was to thin some lightweight spackle to a thick brushing consistency and brushed it on the bare wood, sanded it, and then applied the Z-Poxy. It was impressively smooth for just one additional step.

Humm, I will have to try the spackle, sounds interesting..

Here is a picture of a recently finished reproduction of the slow combat plane I was flying in the 70's. FasCal and Monokote on the wings, one coat of Z-Poxy and finished off with Rust-Oleum. The grain isn't filled but it looks pretty nice from 4 foot. If anyone is curious about the plane let me know and I will start another thread with the details.

A few details.. 350sq, 26oz with ST G21-35 a little fast for a sport plane but is a ball to fly.

Try Sears. They have a gun with an 8 ounce cup, and it does a great job. It's exactly like the one the Windy sells for $60, only Sears gets $50.

"Doesn't play well with others"
Denny Malott