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9
Aug/09
0

Filling • Sanding • Priming

Last night I filled all the screw holes, any joins and gaps. I used 2 part wood filler. It’s basically a putty, and a hardener – hence the ‘2 part’.  I let this dry for about an hour or so, and then sanded it all flat. I again used the finer sand paper and then ran over it with an even finer pad.

This morning, I primed the wood with Zinsser BullsEye Primer-Sealer.  Doing this will allow the main coats of paint to cover more evenly and the final result will be a lot better.

After this, I have sanded down the ‘grain-edges’. This will allow the second coat of Zinsser to fill better. I sanded down the flat surfaces also just with the fine pad.

I used some caulk behind the obtruding edge on the front section. Allowing me a smooth area rather than a right angled gap and line. I also rubbed some caulk into all of the grain edges – this is basically the equivalent  of 5 or 6 coats of paint. The grain will be filled far better with the next coat.

I am leaving that all to harden and dry. Tomorrow I will apply a second coat of the Zinsser primer, followed by another light sand.

Then its down to the red coat, sanding, 2nd red coat, sanding, followed by a final couple of spray layers and a coat of lacquer.  The end result should look spot on.

31
Jul/09
0

Sanding the Cockpit

I’ve spent a couple of hours today sanding down the cockpit. It was fairly smooth anyway, but I’ve rounded all of the edges and corners. I can’t believe what a massive difference it makes. It seems to have turned from a shaped box into what it is supposed to be, and there’s so much more to do.

I was going to use a Router, for ease and accuracy, but it turned out that the screws were too close to the edge and routing would have meant countersinking the screws further and causing problems.

I ended up using a plane firstly. Taking a strip off at 45 degrees, roughly. After doing this I used course sandpaper to get the edge and then a finer sandpaper to get the nice finish.

I used an electric sander to do the flat surfaces, followed by the finer sandpaper to make it even smoother.

There are a few more edges to do on the front section but the rear is complete. 15 minutes work tomorrow and it will be done.

I also received the aluminium plate today, it’s perfect.

Don’t ask about the hat in the pic! My hair was a nightmare. I also used a mask, MDF is full or formaldehyde. And gloves, although I’ve still come out with a blister on my thumb!

Check out the pics.