SeamusG

My LHSbuilding guru owner recommended that I use clear bathtub sealant on the wing saddle to keep fuel scum out of the fuse as an alternative to using one-sided foam tape.

The procedure includes:<ul>[*]tape wax paper on the wing (top in this case),[*]run a small bead of silicon chaulk along the wing saddle,[*]install the wing,[*]trim when dry[/list]Iwould like to get your input / comments.

TIA

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

There is a really good How-To on doing this on CaffeenMan's website.

http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform...dles/index.htm

Ken

Charlie P.

Yep. It works. I usually only bother for models where there will be water - ski or float planes. (Low wings and biplanes don't get much "fuel scum" in the model, anyway).

Clear GE Waterproof Silicone also works to attach canopies.

SeamusG

Thx RCKen - I've been using that technique with a thick paste of finishing resin and micro-balloons. Let it set up to a refrigerated cookie dough texture, trim with a razor blade - and yum yum! Makes for a great pre-covering fit. Just wondering about using the silicon as a post-covering sealant.

Thx Charlie - time for a Home Depot visit

flyngfrog

I've been using clear silicone as after covering sealant for years, and it vvorks fine. I apply it as told up there and trim it vvith a vvet finger. Then vvhen it set up you can trim excess vvith scissors. In time it vvill get off. All you have to do is get it all off and re-apply again.

good luck and happy flying.

SeamusG

Thx FF - I found a new tube of GE Silicon II sealant in the basement! Time to stink the place up and make a mess.

jaka

Hi!
A much better way is to use microballoons and 24 hour epoxy! That way you get a surface that is hard and durable and plastic film will stick hard to it.
Silicon on a surface will eventually loosen and no paint and plastic film will stick to it.

Campy

My Feedback: (1)

After the silicone has dried and is trimmed, dust it lightly with some talcum powder to keep it from sticking to the covering on the wing.

carlosponti

My Feedback: (1)

i have used the silicon sealant in this manor for a while now. i really like the results.

Rodney

Yes, this makes a neat and good sealant. There is one major possible problem though; if it is the silicon that has that vinegary smell, the fumes are highly corrosive to electronics and can/will wreak havoc with connector pins etc. If you use it, I'd highly suggest you do it before installing any electronics and make sure it has cured for a few days before installing the electronics. We found this out the hard way in the real aircraft business after having some major instrumentation problems as a result of said corrosion. Now they do make an electronic safe silicon seal, it will be stated as such on the container and the price is quite a bit higher, but it unfortunately is not as readily available. You may have to special order it. That stuff readily available at the local hardware store is the corrosive item.

Stew99

Any auto parts store carries the non corrosive silicone. On cars they have to use it for O2 sensors and such.

tony0707

hi the answer is to use GE silicone twoit cures as a base unlike many silicones that cure with an acid base- that is damaging to radio equipment-been using it on my wing seats for close to 20 years with great resultskeeps fuel and air out- protecting the balsa from fuel and reducing air drag- no air gets into my fuse anyplace for that same reason