Can a foam model be polished

[SIMON CRAGG]

Has anybody tried to get a decent shine on a foamy model?

Most seem to have more of a satin shine as opposed to a gloss shine.

I seem to remember reading about some sort of floor polish?.

Anyway, if anybody knows of a way to keep are foamy models glistening, please share!.

[Ron Gray]

Paint it with floor vanish, the water based sort. 2 coats will give it a gloss plus it will keep cleaner for longer.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[SIMON CRAGG]

Looks great. Any particular brand / make to look out for?.

Thanks for your help.

[Dave Hopkin]

Ronseal Diamond Hard Floor Varnish is what this one was pained with

[SIMON CRAGG]

Posted by Dave Hopkin on 28/02/2018 00:33:14:

Ronseal Diamond Hard Floor Varnish is what this one was pained with

Looks good.

Many thanks chaps!.

[Old Geezer]

I s'pose it's the Clear Gloss product? Any special hints about application - is one coat enough - do you get brush marks or is it self-flatting - does it add much weight? Whatever - it'll be nice to have a foamy that isn't covered in indelible mud splashes.

[KiwiKid]

Yip clear gloss is the ticket. Just use a flat soft brush and don't apply it too thickly. It's very easy stuff to work with. Keep an eye out for any runs as it dries. If you are working on an assembled model, apply the solution in sections rotating the model so that the area being covered can be left in a horizontal position as the solution dries.

Two coats are best as the first coat seals up the foam and the second adds some more gloss. The weight penalty is not significant as the product is WBPU (water based polyurethane) and the water content evaporates as it dries. As well as looking good the application of the WBPU provides a modicum of protection from mild scuffing and hangar rash.

 

Edited By KiwiKid on 28/02/2018 22:13:48

[Old Geezer]

Thanks for that KK - I'll be giving my new FunCub a couple of coats before it's maiden outing.

[Trevor]

Posted by Tom Sharp 2 on 27/02/2018 22:15:38:

On another thread we are asked how to remove the shine from ARTF's, strange world

But that's just the way we modellers are! When we started indoor flying, for the first few meetings we all struggled to fly a circuit within the confines of the hall or to hold a helicopter in a half-stable hover. However it wasn't long before everyone wanted to prop hang their fixed wing models and fly circuits with the helis.

Trevor

[Old Geezer]

Actually Trevor I'm not too bothered if the F/C is shiny or not, I'm more concerned to seal the surface to prevent the aforementioned indelible mud splashes. Fussy --- moi?

Edited By Old Geezer on 01/03/2018 10:01:38

[SIMON CRAGG]

After a bit of research ended up using Ronseal "Quick Drying" water base gloss varnish.

Results?.

Fantastic, easy to brush on and one coat makes a huge difference.

Thx to all for your advice!.

[onetenor]

There should be an aerodynamic advantage to as there should be less drag too. Wartime pilots used to wax polish their planes and file down rivets for a speed advantage . Maybe 5 mph or more could be obtained by doing this.Not a lot but they felt it was worthwhile. Maybe more psychological than anything but who knows Eh!