Keep it clean

[Positive Charge]

Hi,
Just converted to electric powered aircraft, and appreciate the lack of
mess at the end of a days flying. BUT ! How to you stop all this styrofoam and Depron getting grubby and stained without adding too much weight. Is there a varnish or lacquer that I can use which doesn't attack the foam.

Thanks
Alan

[Foamiesrfun]

Hi,
Just converted to electric powered aircraft, and appreciate the lack of
mess at the end of a days flying. BUT ! How to you stop all this styrofoam and Depron getting grubby and stained without adding too much weight. Is there a varnish or lacquer that I can use which doesn't attack the foam.

Thanks
Alan

I have not had this problem. After a 100 flights or more it gets kinda
din-gee(sp?) looking but thats with age i guess.

[ParkJetsFlyer]

You have a few choices you can use to finish off your depron jets and planes. You can use "Future Floor Wax/Sealer" or get some Water Based Polyurethane (WBPU) Varnish (Minwax and other brands) Which ever one you choose, you just spray it on with an airbrush, in thin coats.

You also have the option of fiberglassing the plane with lightweight fiberglass and you use the WBPU mixed with baby powder to fill the weave of the fiberglass. Sand to a smooth finish and spray a clear coat of WBPU or Future to complete the job. Fiberglassing will add a bit more weight, but it is worth it to avoid hanger rash, and all of the other little dings and scrapes you get flying.

For more info take a look at these threads on the RC Groups
"How I finish my Planes - Step By Step By JMorgan
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=161218
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193567

Hope that helps :)

Tom - Milwaukee
RCParkFlyer on RC Groups
www.parkjets.com

[debhicks]

Or simply go out and fly and don't worry about it. The grubbier it gets the more you can brag about how long you have been flying that particular model.

The only reason I retired (my husband did) my original soarstar with it's crooked tail and dinged up wing was because we were scheduled to go to a school and do a flight demo and buddy box some kids. Wanted a nice shiny sparkly one for that:)

[vicman]

I paint them with Krylon short cuts or H20 and Wally world acrylic thru an airbrush. On the full flying stab of my F-18 I give the whole surface a coat of finishing resin over the CF strands. It makes it a little stronger while sealing the foam.

Otherwise just fly the thing.

[tashley]

A light mist coat or two of Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic gets it done without much added weight at all.