how would I cure this wing?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
1

Hi there,

I’m test driving or flying in this sense with making aluminum airplanes. I’ve used Alclad2 so far and it’s very good. However, things start to get complicated with the surface. This is an example of a wing from Tamiya. There is kind of pattern on the surface. I guess it exists in the mould. How can I exactly make it smooth?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kawwk28rr931jqq/2016-02-10%2020.00.39-1.jpg?dl=0

I have 2000 grit of Tamiya sandpaper but I believe it’s not the right tool. Do I need Micro mesh 8000 or anything like that? As I don’t have access to them, I wonder If I could use

3M Micro Finishing products.

2

Well ;

It seems like you and I have the same problem years apart .I just sanded it down " WET " with 3-M Wet-R-Dry sandpaper , 800 grit then 1000 for finishing up .You see I foil all my birds if they are natural metal .

I just think Alclad looks to much like doped linen or plywood , to suit me . T.B.

3

When the heck are you gonna learn to post pictures, oh Mr. First Assistant Engineer?

I can’t tell what we are looking at. Is that a bump caused by surface relief on the underside?

Sometimes you just have to live with that kind of thing.

4

I can use Alclad polished aluminum and get a true mirror finish, which you can’t do with dope or paint.

5

To get a nice shinny unmarred finish, the surface needs to be primed with a gloss primer, then the primer should be wet sanded smooth. If there is any errors in the surface Alclad will more than happy to show you in the finished product. The darker the primer, the deeper the finished look. Alclad recommends gloss black for a deep smooth shine. Of course you will need to use the high shine finishes listed on their website http://alclad2.com/

Steve

6

There is a kind of build / mould appearing on the right side of the wing. I just airbrushed that area to make it clear for you to see. I believe primer won’t fix it. What would be the best solution to fix it? Then I realised maybe the answer is micromesh 8000 or a similar product? Does it help modelers in that sense?

7

Just sand it out. I’d start in the 300-400 range, then work down to the finest grit you have.

I sand down the entire surface before doing any NMF. Even those “swirly” looking areas in the plastic will show through sometimes.