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How to Paint Balsa Wood Aircraft Models

Model plane enthusiasts are quite vocal about the proper way to finish an airplane, whether it is made from balsa wood, aluminum or Styrofoam. While model aircraft builders may disagree on what the best method is for covering model planes, one thing is certain--a plane must stay light to fly. Balsa wood planes are light and can be covered with several different types of materials. Painting is an excellent option, but the plane must be painted carefully to maintain the proper weight balance, so use care when painting your balsa aircraft model.

Things You'll Need

Glass measuring cup
Measuring spoon
Metal bowl
Epoxy resin
Lacquer thinner
Glass container
Paint stick
Trowel
Damp cloth
600 grit sand paper
Dry towel
Sketchpad
Pencil
Colored pencils
Acrylic paint
Palette
Paint brush
Airbrush, optional
Fuel-proof clear coat

Instructions

- 1
  Mix 1/2-cup of epoxy resin with a teaspoon of lacquer thinner in an old metal bowl. Stir the mixture until the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated. Mix additional batches of the epoxy mixture, as needed. It is important to thin the epoxy resin to minimize the added weight of epoxy on your aircraft. According to Brian Knight, author of the article ̶0;Thinning West System Epoxy,̶1; lacquer thinner is the best additive to use to achieve a good result from thinned epoxy.
- 2
  Wipe the epoxy resin and lacquer thinner mixture onto the balsa wood plane with a trowel. Make sure to completely cover the plane. Wipe off any excess lacquer with a damp cloth. Allow the balsa plane to dry thoroughly before proceeding with the next step. The drying time will vary depending on where your plane is located and the weather. Allow at least three to five days of drying time for the best results.
- 3
  Sand the entire surface of the plane. This will remove any imperfections in the wood and provide a uniform surface on which to paint. Wipe the sanded surface with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly with a dry towel.
- 4
  Sketch your plane onto a blank sheet of paper. Determine the exact design and layout of all the details you want to paint.
- 5
  Paint the base coat of your plane with acrylic paint. Allow the plane to dry thoroughly, and then add any desired detail work to your plane. Again, allow the plane to dry completely.
- 6
  Cover your aircraft with a fuel-proof clear coat. This will prevent the plane from catching fire if you use any type of fuel to make the airplane fly. This is essential because acrylic paint is not flame-resistant.

Aviation