- 1). Apply model airplane dope to the frames. Brush it on as smoothly as possible and wipe up excess. Be thorough. Try not to leave any bare spots.
- 2
Balsaloc on frame
Lay your tissue paper over the frames. This is the step that can be frustrating to beginners. Lay the paper over carefully. It's hard to get the wrinkles out so take care not to crumple the paper as you work with it. You'll see plenty of wrinkles as the paper soaks up the dope. Don't worry! - 3
Spray the surfaces. Get a spray bottle and fill with water. Lightly spray the entire model. As the paper dries, it also shrinks and that removes the wrinkles. You should have a fairly wrinkle-free model after this process. - 4
Ultracote cover
Apply another coat of dope. It is recommended that you thin the dope by 50% first to save unwanted weight on the model. This second coat will also strengthen the skin. Let it dry well before handling. - 5). Use a hot iron. Some types of coverings will need to be hot ironed. For instance, Ultracote, Monokote and Balsaloc should be applied with an iron. Some say that Ultracote is easier to work with in that it can be repositioned before it permanently adheres to the surface. Using an iron takes skill, so practice on some other surface before applying to your model.
- 6
Runway model
Don't be afraid to fly! After finishing a model, some folks are hesitant to fly because as we all know, accidents do happen. Remember why you're building a model AIRPLANE in the first place. Crashing is all part of the adventure and most damage can be repaired, so fly and be free!
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