yasser wrote:Hello everyone
Thanks dbcisco for the warning about dope, I am never bringing it to my house because of children.
Is there another safe way to do it like 50/50 ratio of white glue and water.
I already tried but got wrinkles.
How and where to apply the glue can anyone illustrate through pictures please.
best wishes
IMO dope is really not a problem to have around. I have 3 kids, all young. It deserves respect just like other tools and materials you might use for building...blades, saws, CA, LiPo batteries, Acetone, Paint thinner...not to mention a spinning prop! There are lots of things that you should be aware of how to handle, what not to use in combination (for example, CA is generally very safe, but can react with cotton (balls, swabs)) and dangers they pose.
That being said I have tried several different things over the years. I am just now getting into microlite heat shrink covering.
For tissue, there are probably as many different methods as there are builders...experiment a little and you'll find what works for you. Your method will change if you you decide to fly the model or not. Follow the diagrams on the Guillow plans for how to cut the tissue pieces. This will help a lot to reduce wrinkles.
I do not, and never have, cover the stick frame with any kind of sealer, sanding sealer, or dope prior to applying paper. Maybe I will one day, and notice a difference. I know the reason for doing it, just never have...
My favorite method for applying tissue is with a glue stick. I use an elmer's gel glue stick, you can find these anywhere. I'll apply some of that to a few spars/ribs/formers then put my tissue on, being sure to gently pull it tight. Then I'll put more glue stick on adjacent spars and pull the tissue tight to those...do this until the piece of tissue is on. Let dry then trim if needed (some tissue pieces I cut to fit before applying).
Once all the tissue is on, I'll use a 50/50 (clear) dope & thinner mix on the outside edges of the part to make sure it's tacked down good. (so for example a wing I just go around the outside LE & TE and brush on the dope mix). Let this dry, then I spray with water. Some folks use alcohol for this step, or a mix of alcohol and water. This will take some time to dry, when it does the tissue will be nicely shrunk.
This is the point where my method chages depending on what my plan is with the plane. If I am flying, I put 1 or 2 coats of the 50/50 dope mix on the entire plane, then 2 coats colored dope. Yes, that's all I do...somtimes less. You need to think weight with a flying model so you have to be careful how much your covering is going to add. (I fly electric)
After this dries you'll notice the tissue is nice and strong (for tissue anyway), and tight as a drum. Now apply decals.
For a static model, you can pretty much do whatever you like. I have heard people use everything from generic acrylic paints, model paints, and even home latix paint...and of course, colored dopes (which are probably the most expensive choice).
Microlite and Coverlite heat shrunk coverings are nice, strong, and are perfectly fine to use on Guillow models. They cost more (I mean, the tissue you got with the kit, right?), but in the end can actually weigh less. They give you a nice shiny look, which may or may not be what you're after. For some of the warbirds, you may want a more faded or matte finish, in which case you'd need to paint. As I understand it, the micro/coverlite materials need some prep to be painted. If someone could advise to this, I would be interested to hear your method.
There's some other things I'm going to be experimenting with (soon) and would love to hear if anyone else has used (succes stories?):
- krylon clear spray, or Rustoleaum spray can.
- Future Floor Finish as an alternative to dope. Yes, you heard me right. Here's the link because I keep losing it. I'm going to be trying this soon:
http://www.zininmijnleven.nl/hobby/mode ... index.html
- WB PolyCrylic (MinWax) as an alternative to dope.
- Using Sanding Sealer (Deft brand) for sealign teh stick frame.
My main focus on these things is the benefits vs. weight difference between these and more traditional methods/materials...and also the "look". Any experiences anyone has I'm all ears.
Cost is a factor for me. I mean, clear dope is expensive
...and I'm always looking for alternatives...
