Register Now

TexanPilot · 11-09-2015, 10:50 PM

Hi guys,

I read over in RC Groups that a guy used water-based polyurethane to protect the foam on his belly-lander sailplane. Looking at the can of of the stuff, they mention it's scuff-resistant. And because I don't have the luxury of flying over grass fields (dirt & rocks or else pavement), I'm intrigued.

Has anyone here tried it? If so, what are your thoughts?

I'm giving it a shot, and I can say that it doesn't seem to attack the foam at all. Two coats on my Radian Pro so far, and I'm going to do four on the belly and wing leading edges.

When I find a place to fly (they just closed of the area I've been using for over a year), I'll report back.

xviper · 11-10-2015, 12:14 AM

Or you could just put 1 layer of clear Gorilla tape.

TexanPilot · 11-10-2015, 08:58 AM

I did put some packing tape along the wing LE's but that's a real challenge to get smooth, even with clipping overlap joints in the tape.

xviper · 11-10-2015, 10:00 AM

As an aside .......................... If clear Gorilla tape is too hard to work with, try the cross-woven fiber tape. It's softer and more pliable and wrinkles are less visible.

I fly with a group at my flying field where sometimes there are 7 Radians in the air and we fly off a mowed field - very rough, hard ground, rocks, gopher holes, thistles, tall grass, dirt. Nobody has any coverings on the belly. The only covering is colored tape for visibility at high altitudes. We do formation flying and sometimes, we have mid-air touches and sometimes collisions. These things take a beating and no matter what you do, small nicks are inevitable. Some have been around for 2 seasons without any belly protection and are still fine. Even the best flyers, after a couple of seasons, they elect to buy a new fuse or new wings anyway ................... Or even a new plane altogether and keep the old one for parts.
No brush on or spray on covering will protect the belly for more than a few hard landings. Besides, there is a small plastic belly skid which takes most of the hits. As you get better and better at flying it and better at landing it, there will be almost no damage.

11-09-2015, 10:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
TexanPilot Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2013	Foam Protectant? Hi guys, I read over in RC Groups that a guy used water-based polyurethane to protect the foam on his belly-lander sailplane. Looking at the can of of the stuff, they mention it's scuff-resistant. And because I don't have the luxury of flying over grass fields (dirt & rocks or else pavement), I'm intrigued. Has anyone here tried it? If so, what are your thoughts? I'm giving it a shot, and I can say that it doesn't seem to attack the foam at all. Two coats on my Radian Pro so far, and I'm going to do four on the belly and wing leading edges. When I find a place to fly (they just closed of the area I've been using for over a year), I'll report back.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-10-2015, 12:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
xviper Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2009	Or you could just put 1 layer of clear Gorilla tape.

11-10-2015, 08:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
TexanPilot Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2013	I did put some packing tape along the wing LE's but that's a real challenge to get smooth, even with clipping overlap joints in the tape.

11-10-2015, 10:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
xviper Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2009	As an aside .......................... If clear Gorilla tape is too hard to work with, try the cross-woven fiber tape. It's softer and more pliable and wrinkles are less visible. I fly with a group at my flying field where sometimes there are 7 Radians in the air and we fly off a mowed field - very rough, hard ground, rocks, gopher holes, thistles, tall grass, dirt. Nobody has any coverings on the belly. The only covering is colored tape for visibility at high altitudes. We do formation flying and sometimes, we have mid-air touches and sometimes collisions. These things take a beating and no matter what you do, small nicks are inevitable. Some have been around for 2 seasons without any belly protection and are still fine. Even the best flyers, after a couple of seasons, they elect to buy a new fuse or new wings anyway ................... Or even a new plane altogether and keep the old one for parts. No brush on or spray on covering will protect the belly for more than a few hard landings. Besides, there is a small plastic belly skid which takes most of the hits. As you get better and better at flying it and better at landing it, there will be almost no damage.

Register Now

Log-in