Cheers,
I have built foam wings for my Mk 1, but the following leads me
to believe that the problems seems to start with visualising how to
manoeuvre wet BiD into a tight corner with only two hands.
If I am correct, then perhaps a trick or two might be in order.
With the mk 1 wings, there was a bit of that in every close-out and I slowly
evolved the following:
In a tight spot, where a number of layers of BiD are called for, I first
wetted the niche and then applied one dry layer, diddling it into position
with a dry brush or stick (I bought some bamboo spits) until it was right
where it ought to be. I then wetted the next two layers, during which time
the first layer was (a) lapping up the extra goop below it and (b)
thickening somewhat so that when the next layer was applied, it didn't skate
all over. Another slather of epoxy and the third was applied. I then ensured
that there wasn't a paucity of epoxy leaving bare patches (touch of the
brush). If peelply were called for, it was wetted and set in place,
otherwise a layer of polythene went on (or over the peelply) and then I
inserted spoge foam cut to squeeze the corner. This tends to push excess
epoxy into a corner on top of the BiD where it can be burred out if
necessary.
The sponge was compressed with sticks, old transformers, whatever to apply
some pressure. When the cake was mostly baked (3-4 hours) off came the
weights, sticks, plastic and tyhe mess inspected. If it stank, it could
still be extracted and the whole process repeated, if not, OK.
I learned to appreciate the thickening of the epoxy, using time
as a tool because I found that the BiD became less skitterish when it was
applied to a thickening layer.
I hope that may be of some use.
P.S: I bought several rolls of thin and thick polythene (as used in moisture
barriers in walls), and visited the foam shop and bought several square feet
of 1 or 1-1/2inch sheets for compressing.
Ferg
A064
----- Original Message -----
From: JRonJones <JRonJones@msn.com>
Subject: Re: aileron root closeout
> Kevin,
>
> I too could only visualise a mess when about to complete my close-outs and
> thought hard and long before I started. In the end I simply followed the
> book and it was much, much easier than I had imagined.
> I held a mixing stick in one hand to push & prod the glass into position
> while in the other I used a 1" paint brush to "stipple" the glass into the
> corners. I used lots of resin at this stage to help "lubricate" the cloth
> and to hold it into the close-out. When everything was neatly in place, I
> scraped the surplus away with a narrow squeegee and the above mentioned
> mixing stick.
> Worked a treat and I was well pleased with the results.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Regards, Ron Jones. (XS No. 359. G-RJWX)
>
>
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