Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Construct the pieces that will form your remote-controlled plane. Sand each piece until smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.
Squeeze a small amount of water-based putty onto a plane piece and rub it over the entire surface, adding more putty as needed with your fingers. Repeat this step for every plane piece. Allow all pieces to dry for three to four hours. Gently rub each plane piece with an extra-fine (220 grit followed by 320 grit) piece of sandpaper until the surface of every piece is completely smooth and no ridges or dents can be felt with your fingers.
Cut a piece of lightweight fiberglass cloth weighing 3/4 oz. per square yard so that it hangs loosely over the shape of a plane piece. Place poster pins into the bottom edges of the plane piece so that the piece is raised slightly off the table you're working on.
Pour finishing resin into a small bowl. Dip your paintbrush into the resin and lightly coat the surface of your plane piece with the resin. Lay your fiberglass cloth over the plane piece. Dip the paintbrush back into the resin and continue to brush it over the cloth, causing the cloth to "melt" into the wood. Observe the cloth sealing to the piece as you brush. Continue this process until the cloth is completely conformed to the surface of the plane piece.
Allow the resin to dry for 20 minutes. Observe how the finished plane piece now resembles a piece of metal. Use a utility knife to cut away excess cloth overhanging your plane piece. Repeat for all plane pieces.
Use fine (320-grit) sandpaper to smooth away any rough spots on the plane pieces to prepare it for painting.