Paint or cover

[Glyn44]

I have a solid sheeted fuse,SLEC funfly. I’m wondering whether to paint it or cover.
What are the pros and cons guys?

[kc]

Is the question whether to paint straight onto balsa or to cover with tissue and then paint? Or whether to paint or to cover with film?

My view is that film is difficult to get at the moment (and expensive) so perhaps we should paint the fuselage and save the precious film supplies for wings . Whether a satisfactory finish for a sports model can be obtained by just painting onto balsa is the question! Might also depend whether the model is glow powered or electric.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Brian Spearing]

Having this morning shrink-filmed the wing of an e-Funfly, I’m considering doped tissue for the fuz and maybe the tail.

[Ernie]

Hi Glynn, Dont underestimate the amount of work that is needed to get a half decent paint (and any other) finish

As has been said many times before, its all in the preperation. I would use a very light glass cloth on top of the balsa Id use a water based adhesive such as eze kote to fix it in place. The extra weight is more than compensate'd for as this makes the wood much more dingproof.

You will need to fill the weave with some sort of filler, and then spray with carpaint to get a great finish. Film is much quicker, but also needs a lot of preperation for a fine finish. But, it gives very little protection to the wood underneath

ernie

[Glyn44]

I did indeed mean whether to paint or to cover with film. I be covered before, I’m not brilliant but it’s acceptable. I’ve never tried a paint job. I’ll wait a bit, don’t have to do it today, there’s always tomorrow.
at least I can fly living on a farm with a selection of grass fields, no roads or footpaths.

[i12fly]

For a funfly I wouldn't consider anything other than film -anything else is too much faffing about! And it will be good practice for the future. Film is expensive or cheap, depending on what type and where you get it.