obechi finishing

[shoe]

I know it's not the latest technology but does anyone have a good how-to resource on ways to finish an obechi sheeted wing (with color)? Or simply share your own here. tia

[ICTHRMLS]

I stand behind the use of Black Baron Film over obechi. I have several planes covered with it that are 6-8 years old. No bubbling or wrinkling has ever occured - even the black trim in the hot Texas sun holds up well. The real trick is the right amount of heat - BB film uses less than others (MoneyKote, etc.) I also use a suede glove to press and smooth the covering as it it applied. It is a hasssle but the finish is great looking. :cool:

[Ollie]

The following comes from NSP's Victory instructions:
1. Sand the wings and stabs with 150 then 240 grit paper.

2. Vacuum the wing and stabs and use a slightly damp cloth to remove any dust.

3. After cleaning paint the wings with a coat of clear glossy WATER BASED URETHANE. This can be bought at your local paint or hardware store. Ask for water based or environmentally safe Urethane. Minwax or Carver are two examples. At that time buy a few foam brushes to apply the coating.

4. The first coat should be as light as possible, do not try to soak into the wood!

5. Let dry and sand with 240 grit. Clean and apply another coat.

6. If desired you can apply color to the underside of the wing for visibility. I recommend a dark color such as black, dark blue, or red. I have had good success with the Krylon paints. They are easy to apply and dry quickly. This is best done before the last coat of urethane. Mask off all the place you do not want to get paint on!. Apply the paint by misting it on and letting it dry. Do not let it go on too wet! Use several very light applications until the surface is uniformly covered with color. Let completely dry.

7. Repeat step #5, so you end up with 4 coats. Between the third and forth coat do a very careful sanding job and clean thoroughly. The last coat carefully apply checking for any missed spots. Done!

[shoe]

thanks Ollie, have you used this method? If so any changes you would have made.

(The reason I ask is I went straight from balsa covered with monokote to vacuum bagged composites and skipped the whole obechi phase.)

[Ollie]

Yes, I would substitute a water based, pigmented polyurathane enamel for the Krylon. It is less likely to attack the foam core. Red Devil and others make water based, pigmented enamels.

[BrianSmith]

I have finished 10 or so wings using the same directions Oliie has given here with much satisfaction.....Brian

[TThroop]

I have finished many wings using the basic method Ollie suggested. The only difference was the method of adding color to the bottom of the wing. What I found that didn't add any weight was to use the big black felt pens and "color" the bottom of the wing. I found Marks-A-Lot makes pens with about a 3/4" tip. It takes about three pens to do a 10' wing. Mostly so the it doesn't take two days to do it. Use one pen till the color starts to get light, then cap and store tip down. Use the next one till it starts getting light, and then the third pen. By the time you get done with the third pen, the first pen is ready to use again. Just keep the pens moving. Let the wing set about a day to allow the color to finish migrating and evening out. Then apply the varathane finish right over the now "colored" wing.

Good Luck,

Terry Throop:)