Brown Paper alternative

[fly boy3]

Hi all, Is brown paper a viable alternative to expensive coverings. Thinking of trying it out on a fully sheeted fus. and obechi covered foam wing about 70inches. Do not need perfection for this sports model (ic) just a practical covering. Saw some great pictures on this forum of models covered in BP, and painted, but have failed to find them again. Any thoughts and info. on this would be greatfully recieved. Thanks

[kc]

Chris Gold did an article on brown paper covering years ago. He used PVA diluted ( maybe 10 percent or so ) as adhesive. The correct type of brown paper is the somewhat thin type that is shiny one side. Paper is coated in PVA and it shrinks a little when drying - just like wallpapering.

I used tissue and wallpaper paste ( Polycell) to cover a foam wing, then paiinted with Japlac this has lasted 25 years although the model has never been flown.

[Phil 9]

brown trouser?

[Cuban8]

Never tried brown paper covering myself, but I do recall a chap in my club who used it very successfully some years back . Very time consuming process though. IIRC he'd also use the shiny cardboard from breakfast cereal boxes as well!

[kc]

Fly boy see my PM I sent this morning offering the info......

[Erfolg]

Christmas /birthday wrapping paper used to be used a lot on Wonder Wings (Stan Yoe?) 100s Phoenix, which had cores made from blue foam.

Ordinary wall paper paste was used as the adhesive.

The result, a very strong wing in bending and torsion.

Brown wrapping paper is possibly a little bit stronger still, although probably a little heavier.

Edited By Erfolg on 11/06/2014 18:21:01

[John Privett]

I'm fairly sure that Christophe Paysant Le Roux (World Aerobatic Champion multiple times) used to cover his models in brown paper.

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

1/12 scale combat models are/were almost exclusively blue foam covered in brown paper/PVA (usually applied diluted 1:1 with water.

Strong? Well very few wings had any sort of spar - the torsional and bending strength was almost all in the covering and most were set up to turn in virtually their own length!

[Toni Reynaud]

I used brown paper on the first Hercules, the subsequent Hurricane (both foam) and later on a Miles Sparrohawk - balsa sheet fus and obechi veneer wings. Totally successful. I use very light paper from the pound shops, and PVA 1:1 (50%) water.

[Toni Reynaud]

Duplicated post deleted.

Edited By Toni Reynaud on 11/06/2014 18:53:07

[Stephen Jones]

Hi ,

I Coverd this in Brown Paper .

Then painted ,

And this ,

In fact just have a look through my albums ,

Steve

[roger graves]

I've used it very succesfully on foam.............BUT............I would be very cautious about introducing that amount of water onto wood for fear of warping.

[Malcolm Fisher]

I have used a range of papers to cover models both conventional built up and foam. In all cases I cut the paper roughly to size, drew it through a shallow water bath and allowed it to drain before sticking it to the structure with either wallpaper paste or PVA. It worked well and I can't remember any issues with warps.

A further coat of wallpaper paste after it had dried saved a great deal of paint.

Malcolm

[fly boy3]

What a forum, so much info out there and all willing to share it. Thanks lads. One or two queries. After covering, do I need to varnish to accept paint, then varnish again to fuel proof the paint ? Cheers ps and what paint can I use. Thanks

[Stephen Jones]

Hi ,

There are two methods i use one with diluted Poly C and so it becomes fuel proof and diluted pva which needs to be proofed with fuel proof paint or fuel proofer .

It is the water that shrinks the paper .

Link here shows how i used poly C on a small model .

The process is the same for larger models only this time a make a bath of the diluted solution in a cat litter tray as they are cheep to buy and about the right size . Remember to squeeze as much of the water out before you applied it and you will not have any issue with warps the large ic model you see has veneer covered foam wings while the body is of balsa construction .

Also you can see it has not warped small balsa wings .

I have also made foam wings and just covered with brown paper .

And still good and strong today .

Steve .

[fly boy3]

Thanks Stephen, great link. If I use Poly C, can I paint over it?and will I have to use it again to fuel proof the paint. Cheers

[Stephen Jones]

Hi ,

 

Yes , you can paint over it and there is no need to fuel proof it again , if the paint is fuel proof it will stay put ,

Steve ,

p.s . some paints need primer 1st , so if unsure try a test piece 1st ,

 

 

Edited By Stephen Jones on 12/06/2014 08:15:37

[Phil Claridge]

my brother covered a twinstar with brown paper and used halfords grey primer, stiffened the wings a great deal and plane flew better than uncovered

[Old Geezer]

Stephen - What dilution do you use with PolyC? I have got all the parts cut for a Stratos delta ( for a big outrunner, rather than a 40 i/c which I had last time - 20 or more years ago ) which I intend to stick together when I have the time and the weather is unflyable.

Last time I used Christmas wrapping paper and wallpaper paste, but if I can get away without using too much PolyC I would use Brown Paper and PolyC - with just a few squirts of fluorescent colour so I know which way up it is.

[Stephen Jones]

Hi , Gurth ,

If you use Poly C on a large model make a small bath to soak the paper in and place some stiff plastic sheet into it to make a ramp .

that way you can lay the paper on the ramp and use a plastic card to squeeze the water out of the paper and back into the bath that way it will go a lot further .

You should be ok with it diluted 1:1 although you may have to paint some onto the surface you are about to cover in order for it to stick .

Do not try to do a too larger piece than you can manage as it will be damp and fragile .

Remember the paper needs to be fully soaked then squeezed so that it is damp only not dripping wet .

You will find that it will dry quick so do not dordile when applieing it the heat from you're fingers will dry it and so you will need to brush on some more to make it stick .

A little practice may be needed to get the hang of how to lay the paper down using the same plastic card ( old credit card ) and remember to use small overlaps .

On foam models i have just stuck the paper on straight out the bath and used a plastic card to squeeze out the excess back into the bath .

Steve .

[Old Geezer]

Thanks Steve - On the strength of that I'll pick up some more Poly-C at Weston Park tomorrow, might even have it finished and trimmed out for Greenacres at the end of the month

[Stephen Jones]

Hi ,

Another thing to note is that if you use poly C on a open structure you will have a semi flexible finish , and if you use pva you will get a ridged finish .

So Poly C is better on open structure , but if you use Poly C you will need to lightly paint the surface with neat Poly C just before you applied the damp paper or it will not stick .

 

And in this weather will be dry within the hour ready for a top coat of Poly C the more layers of Poly C you add the better the finish and more fuel proof it will be .

 

Steve ,

 

Edited By Stephen Jones on 15/06/2014 08:57:39