Calmo2

Hello; Has anyone out there ever heard of using hair spray on their model instead of Balsarite? I can't remember where I read it at but I read where someone uses hair spray as a fixative before using iron on coverings. I have never used Balsarite before, but I have heard some negative things about it. Can some one out there let me know if you have ever used either one of these and if it is worth using. I am building a "Flybaby" and am going to cover it with "Coverite Fabric". Thanks Cal

Thud_Driver

My Feedback: (1)

Don't know what's in hair spray today but it used to be a form of thinned out clear lacquer. Some folks used to use it way back but haven't heard of using it in recent years.

Balsarite is basically clear nitrate dope. I gives the adhesive in Coverite a little better surface to grab on to and it does work, particularly if the surface has seen fuel or oil that hasn't been completely removed. It also helps if you haven't been able to get all the sawdust and filler particles off which tend to get on the adhesive and keep it from getting a good grip on the wood. You can also use the nitrate dope to prime the coverite for better paint adhesion.

elmshoot

My Feedback: (6)

Balsarite is a glue you use to pre glue the surface for Iron on coverings. The only use I have used hair spray for is for pretreating the inside of balsa skins prior to putting your laminating glue/epoxy on the surface to keep the balsa from soaking up too much glue in a foam core wing. It will help save a little weight. I have heard of hair spary being used to keep the .6 oz fiberglass cloth in place pror to covering a wing as well.
Sparky

RAMFlyer

My Feedback: (65)

Hair spray is also a great way to keep fiberglass cloth from unravelling when you cut it.

Calmo2

Hi guys; I have been away for awhile so I could not reply to your responses. Thanks for the replies. Looks like if I use anything I will use Balsarite, although I have never used it before but if it helps to stick covering better to the wood it might be worth using. Thanks again for your replies. Cal.

Walter D

My Feedback: (16)

I've used some time ago a tape which is about 1/2 inch wide, it is used to glue fabrics together, it is heat activated and it works very well, I am sure it is some sort of cellulose (dope), they were found anywhere sawing items were found, even at grocery stores, inexpensive an easy to use.

iowanspctr

To inverse the question, how does BalsaRite work as hair spray?

Walter D

My Feedback: (16)

As a hairspray it doesn't work, it clogs too easily, works great on attaching tupees though.

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

But that heat gun burns your scalp, so be careful.