Hi All;
Thought I'd post an update to my progress
filling/finishing the tail planes. So far I've tried
every technique discussed on these pages.
I'm using Poly Fiber's Super Fil which seems to work
well. I followed the instructions in their free book
about filling and finishing using their system. It
seemed to work just as well as The fishing line
technique (I found 25 pound test to be about right
thickness).
It's nice the Superfil sands so easily. For the tips
of the tail plane I'm "free handing" it since these
curves are compound. On the tailplane itself I first
used a 14 inch long air compressor powered sander that
when powered slided a 3 inch wide bar quickly back and
forth about an inch travel at a time(used 180 grit so
that it wouldn't take too much down too quickly).
Then when I felt the rough spots are all down I have
been using a 30 inch long piece of extruded aluminum
cut from an old sliding glass door frame. I glued 100
grit paper to it with 3M spray contact cement.
Yesterday I felt some success finally as I "dusted"
the tailplanes with black spray paint and then sanded
again with my sanding bar. The low spots are evident-
there aren't too many of them but now I'm back to
rough filling....seems like the end is in sight. I
counted up my hours so far on this filling/sanding and
I have 28 of 'em into it...feels like 50!!!
Once I'm happy with them I'll roll Poly Fiber's primer
out on them and then put them away for the couple
years I expect to take in finishing this puppy.
Happy building to all,
Paul Boulet, Malibu, CA A212
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