34" Scrath Built Cat

[Chop]

SAWWWEEEEEETTT looking build. It looks like it is progressing well.
Have fun with it.

[Norman2]

Hi, Church is canceled due to the 8+ inches of snow in Western North Carolina so I will get to
do some work on the 34" cat. Have the strakes on so next step will be the finishing. I am going to
enumerate the steps I use to do the finishing,
1. Be patient, do not try to hurry finishing prep or final painting.

2. Sand hull and hatch with 200 grit sandpaper. Correct any imperfections like pin holes,
joints, etc. with wood putty and re-sand.

3. Wipe hull with a damp cloth to open the grain on the balsa. Once dry give one coat of
fiberglass resin diluted with Acetone so the balsa will be impregnated with the fiberglass.
Let dry completely.

4. Sand with 300 grit sandpaper until you feel it is smooth. Another coat of Fiberglass Resin with silkspan
on the bottom and sides. Sand until smooth.

5. Time for Automotive heavy primer. I only use Duplicolor Truck and SUV Primer, Color, and
Clear Coat. This is because they are all lacquer and will not wrinkle. I usually use three
or 4 coats of primer and sand between coats with 1000 grit sandpaper. Once I am sure
everything has no flaws I will use three coats of paint (Color of choice) sanding the first
two coats. Then Final coat of color Paint.

6. Place graphics of choice then two coats of Clear Coat. Let dry completely between coats.

7. Install electronics hardware and go to the lake and have fun.

I am sure there are other methods so I am just listing these as the ones that have worked
for me. This is not the only way, only the way I do it. Hope this can help all scratch builders.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Norman

PS. Worst thing you can do is mix Lacquer with Enamel. Creates one hell of a mess.

[j.m.]

Instead of thinning the epoxy with acetone (which kills the chemical reaction) just warm the epoxy when it's in the mixing cup. If you have a good slow laminating epoxy (40-60 minute pot life) then it will kick off in a reasonable time when heated.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Coating with minwax polyurethane is also a great option if you do not want to use resin. Water clean up as well. It soaks in very nicely. After that then use a high build sealer/primer.

Block sand to keep it straight....really want it the ultimate then lightly fog the final prep with a color coat then lightly block sand to find any dips or high spots.

[Norman2]

Thanks guys. I think I will stop the Fiberglass Resin and Use Jeff's method of using Minwax
Polyurethane. Thank god for this tip. No more messes. regards
Norman

[j.m.]

Minwax Polycrylic has been used successfully with fiberglass as well.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Yep...the plane guys have been using it for some time when building wings. Using just like resin with cloth.

[Norman2]

34" scrath built Cat

Hi, Attached photos of the Cat almost ready for paint. Still a few more primer coats
and final sanding, and if weather permits will start painting. Regards
Norman

[Norman2]

34" scratch built cat

Hi, Just some more photos. It is now ready for painting so if the cold weather
goes away for a couple of days I will start. Regards
Norman

[Cat-Boi]

Looks awesome! very nice work.

[Alfa Spirit]

Very nice cat, congrats

[Norman2]

Hi, Thanks guys. Wife finally gave the OK to paint in the basement so will do the first coats today.
Regards,
Norman

[Alfa Spirit]

Make a nice finish, a nice paint job is amazing, check my friend' s cat

[Norman2]

Hi Alfa Spirit, I wish I had the ability to do that kind of beautiful paint job. Mine will
be all Ferrari Red with the Shake N' Bake and Proton Graphics in Red and Yellow.
Will Post pictures soon. Regards
Norman

[gto0209]

What thickness of balsa did you use for sheeting? and did you use templates for sheeting, or just rough it in?