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[paul gutteridge]

Hi folks
Can anyone plz advise me on how to get a good paint finish on balsa wood 3 mm decks and 1mm ply decks I'm building the hms Sheffield from glyn guest.
Ie paints and sealer to use.

Thanks
Paul

[tugs62]

i use aircraft dope normally 4 coats with a light sand down between each then a couple of coats of paint 

[paul gutteridge]

Hi is that for the decks or the hull plz thanks u don't use tissue then for good finish

[tugs62]

i use it on both but only tissue the hull the last one i did i forgot the tissue one of then old people things and its turned out great 

[paul gutteridge]

I'm using four costs dope on hull then do you thin 50% so it's ok use tissue on deck does tissue bubble when painted thou
Thanks

Paul

[tugs62]

i thin it down for the first coat stright on to the balsa then tissue not had a problem with  bubbles just make sure all the tissue is covered

[BrianB6]

Add talcum powder to the first coat of paint (and second if neccessary) It will seal the pores and strengthen the balsa surface.
The paint can then be rubbed down to a fine finish.
The tip was given to me many years ago by a RAF model maker.

[inertia]

See Reply #8 here   http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7710.0.html
Tissue only bubbles if it isn't put on correctly. Use lightweight Modelspan type (Google it) and thin the sanding sealer as described.
Silicone carbide paper can be obtained from these folk http://www.faithfulltools.com/c/Abrasives
As an alternative try EZeKote, with or without lightweight glass cloth. Two coats on bare wood, rubbed down after each coat with 400 grade silicarb, will do the job - and there's no smell.
Suit yourself.
Dave M

[Circlip]

'Bout time Martin (or one of the Muddy Raters) made reply no8 into a sticky and stick it into the Master class headings. 
 
  Regards  Ian