Jump to content

What's your favourite fuel proofer


Nigel R
 Share

Recommended Posts

Advert


I'm in the same boat! Since Clearcoat and Solarlac disappeared, I haven't found an equivalent!

My experiences with other model specific paints have been disappointing - to put it mildly! The best finish results I've had have come from car aerosols, but then you still have the problem of fuel proofing them. I've seen Rustins floor varnish (?) recommended, and it is on my "to try" list, but I have no idea how car paint will react to it.

Looking forward to suggestions here!

--

Pete

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are there any chemist or paint specialists in our ranks that could identify the contents of Clear coat ? I still have a large tin and now use it carefully . I used to splash it around liberally in engine bays on glows and diesel powered models . I have two diesel powered models that I built approx 12 years ago and neither have any sign of fuel soaking or damage thanks to Clearcoat. Besides being a excellent fuel proofer it was also an excellent heat activated adhesive for coverings without iron on adhesive already applied , like light span or rip stop nylon etc. There must be an industrial quivalent out there it's just finding it .

I was surprised that nobody took over the Solarfilm brand. Until find an equivalent I will use my stock sparingly and any bigger builds will use skinning epoxy ,the thinner the better for the lower risk areas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Skinning epoxy or even standard 5 minute stuff spread thinly works well for me. It makes the job much easier if you apply it during the construction of the model, but I usually smear a film of it with a gloved finger all around the tank bay, firewall and about 1/2" back down the fuselage before covering. Then again after covering, smearing over the seams and edges.

If the model has no cowl, I also cover the firewall with whatever covering I'm using. Tend not to with cowled engines due to the heat build up in the cowl.

Just a thought. 

POR Tank Sealer

Expensive, but not a lot would be used in our applications. Might be a good option, especially for larger petrol models.

 

 

Edited By Matt Carlton on 02/11/2020 09:58:14

Edited By Matt Carlton on 02/11/2020 10:03:57

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the film part of solarfilm was past being a profitable exercise, what with the cheap films being available, although solartex seems to have left a hole in the market.

The paints and chemicals side of things, yes, we've lost a couple of really handy bits there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nigel: I've also used finishing resin with great success around firewalls, tank bays, etc. Solartex stuck to it OK after a coat of Clearcoat on top (rather defeats the object!), and I try to avoid film coverings, so I've no idea if they stick to epoxy resin coated wood or not!

I tried Flair Spectrum paints (years ago) and was not impressed! I was under the impression that Spectra was the same stuff, but I stand to be corrected.

--

Pete

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Guild brand is the same as the Flair product  but I too was not impressed with either the paint or the clear fuelproofer. I don't think any single part coating can be truly fuelproof to nitromethane, apart from Deluxe Materials EzeDope, while it boasts an incredible resistance to nitro but is really only a shrinking dope and probably not suitable as a finishing coat over paint and it has a matt appearance.

Tufcote (Furniglass) was the best but the hardener was declared to be carcinogenic and it disappeared to be replaced by something else inferior (AeroKote).

I have been experimenting with Sadolin PV67 but the recommended mix ratios leave it soft and easy to scrape off.

There is also Rustins plastic coat I may get some of this to try. While it's expensive to keep checking out the alternatives, what IS the alternative if you want to fuelproof a painted model. Engine bays etc and other out-of-sight places, epoxy is the best but it always yellows in sunlight so not practical for a whole airframe.

Edited By Andy Stephenson on 02/11/2020 10:49:13

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Following up Engine Doctor’s post above, I think there’s a trail to follow here. Most of us seem to agree that Clearcoat was a pretty effective one pack fuelproofer, and I found it easy to use and not too noxious. When Andrew Hardman closed down I bought some, together with Balsaloc, and plugged him for the sources as it seemed to me that it would be no skin off his nose. I doubt very much that Derek formulated/produced either of them, in which case they were presumably existing formulations available in the trade with a wider industrial application.

I drew a blank, but I am genuinely surprised, given the breadth of both knowledge and experimentation evident on this forum, that nobody can identify it and find a source. Balsaloc is clearly very closely related to pva but with enhanced heat activation qualities. Opinions seem to vary as to substitutes though if I recall Deluxe now retail an equivalent. Odd that they haven’t duplicated Clearcoat, given their wide range of model-focused products. Perhaps if we asked the proprietor (forgotten his name ... Phil?) we might get a clue, or better still persuade him that there’s a market for it.

just ordered the Rustins two pack stuff as a fallback.

BTC

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted by Stephen Smith 14 on 03/11/2020 14:30:29:

2k automotive clear, cheap sprays nicely great finish and fuel proof to everything just don't breath the fumes

Agreed it's fuel resistan but not as fuel proof anymore as it used to be. Like many products it's been made a little safer / user friendly but is still nasty stff as the hardener contain iso-cyanates . Its easy to get sensitised causing breathing difficulties and other problems; so not suitable for everyone if they don't have the knowledge to use it. Sensitising can be from breathing fumes and contact through your skin and once sensitised your that way for life.

Picking up on Bruce's post , it might be worth while contacting Deluxe re a Clearcoat replacement substitute ? Its a pity that the owner of Solarfilm products decided to take his knowledge with him when he retired .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...