Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[17-09]

Hi everyone,
 I apologise for posting this as it may well have been covered already but I am looking for the preferred method and materials used these days
 for preparing and sealing a model hull that has taken a long time to build. The hull is double diagonal planks of 1.5 marine ply with extra wooden features such as rubbing strakes added in pine. The finish is good but it obviously needs sealing first before painting which will be sprayed Humbrol colour.
I have bought Barrentines Shellac sanding sealer to start with, will this be suitable? I have been told that a form of resin needs to be used but where would I obtain this if its needed and would this interact with any sanding sealer that could be applied?
The hull is 4.5 ft long so a large area to cover and the deck is also diagonally planked in ply.
 Many thanks for any advice in advance
 Alan 17-09

[Martin (Admin)]

That hull looks very strong! 

[JimG]

With a ply hull you are not needing to add any extra strength or hardness to the surface so sanding sealer will do the job. It will probably need several coats sanded down to give a good surface, this will be prone to scratching as itr will be soft.My own preference is to use finishing epoxy resin to seal wood as it gives a harder surface. I generally use Deluxe Materials Aeropoxy or equivalent, normally available from suppliers such as SLEC. This is a thin brushable resin that will soak into the ply surface giving a scratch resistant surface and will sand down well with wet and dry paper used wet. It may be more expensive on a hull as large as your's though. I generally add some microballons to the resin to help fill any grain of the wood. These are microscopic glass or phenolic spheres that add little weight but sand easily. You don't need to much, the resin is still thin after adding them. I find on ply one coat of resin and microballoons is enough to give a surface that sands smooth before painting.
Jim

[John W E]

Hi Alan
Have a look at this post ,it may point you in the right direction 


Do I need to seal a solid obeche hull before painting?


John

[17-09]

Hi Martin John and Jim,
 Thanks for your advice and information, I do see that you have both answered this question before so thanks again.
I do think that epoxy might be the best way forward and of course the most expensive but I wont spoil the ship for a "ha'p'orth of tar."
Yes Martin, she is really strong, probably why the real vessels were as well...
 Alan 17-09

[John W E]

Hi Alan


Just re-read your original posting; be careful because some of the sanding sealers which are on the market are for furniture making and may contain a certain amount of wax.  This can sometimes cause trouble with finishes that we use.   If at all possible it will be best to stick with the sanding sealers which are designed for us model makers.


As a side note, the model which you are building does look remarkably like a harbour defence launch or, is it like a Fairmile B type of hull.


Last but not least, to remind us all when using plywood in our modelling constructions - our surface finish that we apply will only penetrate as far as the glue bond in the plywood.   In other words, the very first veneer.
HMG Sanding Sealer - For Sealing New wood Prior to Painting - 125ml Tin Courier | eBay UK
Deluxe Materials - Sand 'N' Seal Balsa And Plywood Wood Sealer 250ml | eBay UK


John

[Stumps]

Alan, I've looked at this build several times since you posted it, but didn't realise it was yours . Love build.
Regards
Ant 

[SteamboatPhil]

Some have made fair comments, and I agree after sanding sealer has been applied some epoxy’s may not bond. Another question how have you sealed the underside of the fore deck ? (silly question but peeps do forget about that bit)
Having build all wood hulls for many years, I personally, being old school, have primed and hand painted ( I Know )  although a little dull on the finish now ( well it is 40 odd years old) still has a good finish, and no epoxy used. So thathas been said your-hull looks good and strong.
So I would rub down, prime. and paint ( maybe an inside coat or resin if you are concerned) oh lots of paint and rubbing down …..
Please keep us updated

[Colin Bishop]

Agree with Phil, don't mix and match. If you choose to use shellac based sanding sealer then carry on with traditional surface finishes. They still work!

Alternatively use the acrylic sealers and either epoxy or waterbased resins prior to painting.

As always, Horses for courses.

Also, as Phil says, don't nglect the underside of the deck. and seal as much as possible.  It does stabilise the wood and protect from moisture.

Coln