Ed Kershaw Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 Hi, does anyone know how to achieve a matt finish on iron on films, such as solarfilm. I have a Ripmax Spitfire that has a superb matt finish and I would like to replicate it on my own builds. Warbirds just don't look right glossy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myron Beaumont Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 1200 GRADE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 Hi Edward.I believe solarfilm is now available in matt finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Knights Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 Take some "00" grade steel wool from any motor/DIY store and lightly rub the whole model down with.Next get hold of some Ronseal matt Clear Vanish (water based) and brush or sray the model. Leave a couple of days to dry and harden off,although the vanish is dry in a short time, its still best to give it a couple of days. You now should have a lovely matt finish. There is a down side which is that due to the nature of solar film "moving" in heat, the vanish in time will start to flake off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dearden Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 The original Spitfires were cloth covered I believe, so why not use Solartex fabric covering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rolls Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Michael - et alThe Spitfire was never 'fabric covered' - in the prototype the ailerons, elevators and rudded were fabric covered but eveything else was metal skinned. Metal covered ailerons were introduced on the Mk V and metal elavators on (from memory) late Mk. IXs. By the end of its life the rudder was metal covered as well - certainly on the Mk 21 and perhaps earlir - not sure without checking.Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dearden Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Thanks for the correctin Mike. Yes, come to think of it many aircraft of that era only had their control surfaces fabric covered. I wonder why?Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarDancer Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Reason for fabric covered control surfaces?I cant speak from direct experience (though I am old enough!) but, as a physicist, I suggest the reasons are several - cost, speed of assembly, mass (and therefore inertia), and weight.Probably the most important were weight and inertia. Reducing both these would enable faster response to manual controls, and less counter-balance required.Then there is a further matter of quick and cheap repair when holed by lead! Just apply canvas and dope, or whatever.StarDancer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve biplane Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 I think you will find the reason for fabric covered control surfaces in a lot of cases was to reduce the inertia of the control surface in order to prevent flutter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 The easy and permanent way to get a matt finish on painted Solarfilm is to coat with Prymol, paint with Humbrol enamel or Spectra, then brush on a coat of Tufkote mixed 50/50 gloss/matt. This gives the semi-gloss finish typical of WW2. Anyone know where I can still get Furniglass resin, which is Tufcote available in 500ml cans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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