Outside fiberglass fuse repair

[bobby legue]

Hello,
I want to repair the outside of my BOT fuse with a layer of glass behind the wing saddle. The original layup is about as thick as a sheet of newspaper and on the first day of flying it is almost damaged all the way around as I sort of spun it around on a couple of landings. In my defence the fuse had the gelcoat popping off right out of the box. Ill have to go on the outside as there is a lot of wood onthe inside thats in the way. DARNIT!!! So what weight glass, what epoxy system, what prep, and all related info can you give me?
Thanks for your suggestions,
Bob

[mdennis]

I have the same problem, so I'll be watching for answers too. The ARF fuse is really thin right behind the wing. I have repaired mine by wicking thin CA into the cracks and setting it with kicker. It seems to be holding up, but it looks like hell.

George Voss at Soaring Specialties has a fiberglass fuse that I hear is very good.
http://www.soaringspecialties.com/birdoftimeglassfuselage.shtml

[ferincr]

I epaired mine a couple of times. I've been looking for the article somebody sent me through the forums but I could not find it.
Basically you sand the fuse around the break with a dremel until is paper thin and then you add little squares of FG ( I do them about 1/2" x 1/2" or 3/4" x 3/4") put them all in differend directions and overlaping a bit until you build up thickness, then you sand it smooth some spackling, paint and to the field again.
I'll keep looking for the article, the only thing I remember is that it was in French (I think it was from Switzerland).
Fernando

[ferincr]

FOUND IT!!!!! :D :D :D
http://www.swiss-composite.ch/pdf/h-blaetzlitechnik.pdf
Fernando

[bobby legue]

Ferincer, Thanks for the reply. The article was unloadable- dont know why. But I get the idea.Bias plying the fabric should stiffen it better than bi- directional. Makes sence.

Mdennis, I looked at the Voss fuse and it would be an excellent replacement. Im trying to do a cheap fix as Ive already had to take the wing covering off and wrap and shear web the spars. Beef up the joiner boxes. Recover the wings. Create a patch for the tail hole in fuse. [ Mine was split at delivery.] Reset the t nuts to match the wing bolts. All this in an ARTF, Maybe Im wrong but I thought it meant "almost ready to fly" not "absoloutly required to fix". To be honest I couldnt bring myself to put crap from this plane on Georges beautifully laid fuse but I appreciate the suggestions.
Thank you both,
Bob