| Once you have designed your model plane following | | | | examined before use, to ensure that there is nothing |
| it up with putting all the fabricated/molded pieces | | | | sticking to the bottom that may cause gouges. |
| together by gluing and fixing to give it a constructed | | | | You should take on sanding on sunny days, which will |
| shape, you need to spruce it up to give it an eye | | | | let you examine the surface for the sanding |
| catching appearance. The fact, however, is that you | | | | perfection. The sanded surface is the base for the |
| need to be careful right from the beginning to if you | | | | quality of appeal your model plane will acquire when |
| want the final result to be of high standards. For | | | | you complete applying the final finish. Air brushing is |
| example, when you start making balsa wood or | | | | the best way to apply the final finish. Painting requires |
| plywood parts for your plane, all part surfaces need | | | | skill and you should spend some time practicing with |
| to be sanded flat and smooth. When sanding a | | | | cheap paints before attempting to paint your model |
| built-up or sheet balsa wood component like a tail, it | | | | plane. Painting is time taking and labor intensive. If |
| is important to ensure that the same amount of | | | | you want your model to look great, you must be |
| material is removed from each side for a truly flat | | | | prepared to put in what is required. |
| surface and flush joints. | | | | The most popular paints that are used these days |
| The trick for achieving this is to use lots of | | | | for model planes include polyurethanes and enamels. |
| sandpaper of the correct grade. Sanding paper is | | | | These paint types provide better coverage and have |
| available in many grades and it is advisable to buy it in | | | | less shrinkage to provide an attractive, economical |
| boxes to economize. However, this would depend on | | | | and durable painted surface by application of lesser |
| your requirements. Many people use wet and dry | | | | number of coats. However, the downside is that |
| paper, which is not right for wood and is meant only | | | | they take much too long to dry and are not always |
| for non-porous materials like metal and paint etc. | | | | fuel proof. On the other hand, automotive urethane is |
| However, this type of paper available in very fine grit | | | | of very high quality and also provides excellent |
| is excellent for sanding blocks of soft balsa or the | | | | coverage, very quick drying time, is fuel proof but is |
| wing tips of your model plane as it removes very | | | | extremely toxic. At the same time it is also very |
| little material and leaves an extremely fine and | | | | expensive. And if you need a custom color mixed, |
| smooth surface. Before you begin sanding go over | | | | most companies will mix a minimum of one quart, |
| the surface of your model and remove any blobs of | | | | whereas all you may need may be half a pint. So the |
| glue you find. Carefully cut them off with an X-Acto | | | | result will surely be a lot of wasted paint if you have |
| knife. Then, vacuum the structure to remove any | | | | no other use for it. Finally apply a final coat of clear |
| loose particles to prevent gouges in the wood as | | | | gloss and fix the decals. Now your model is ready to |
| they get trapped between the sanding block and the | | | | attract envious stares! |
| sanding surface. The sanding block should also be | | | | |