>Anyone out there have an opinion on glassing the fuselage other than the 2" >lap recommended @ fillets & turtle deck attachment or just a coat of varnish >and paint? >Dan Prichard +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Everyone has an opinion. Mine is yes, use the light weight "deck cloth" to seal the wood http://aircraftproducts.wicksaircraft.com/item/all-categories/deck-cloth-1080/1080?&plpver=10&origin=keyword&filter=&by=prod I not only used it on the wood but overlaid the KR cloth on the wings and tail surfaces to eliminate much if not most of the fill required by the heavier weave. The weave is so fine that there is no problem with "pin holes" if applied properly. Tony Bingelis recommends using it in one of his books. Do the fuselage while you can still rotate it to bottom up and overlay the KR cloth while the KR cloth is still "wet". Pull out the wrinkles and use a dry brush to apply. The deck cloth will soak up a portion of it's required resin from excess in the KR cloth. As to adding weight, how much filler will it take to properly seal the wood for painting and will this filler crack over time. And how much weight in filler does it take to fill the weave on KR cloth? On the outer wing for example, the deck cloth is 50 inches wide so it takes maybe 1.5 yards to do one surface (2.1 oz). Add maybe 1.5 ounces of resin per yard and that is only 14.4 ounces to seal the KR cloth on both outer wing panels. A weight penalty? I think not. The secret, if there is a secret, to achieving a nice lay up is to GET THE FOAM RIGHT. Get the foam as nearly perfect as possible. If the foam is right you just lay up the KR cloth and cover with deck cloth and it's nearly ready for priming. AS always, YRMV....... Larry flesner
