''Metalizing'' cloth wings.

[Daryl J.]

If one ever wishes to convert a cloth wing surface to a metal one, here's a tip or two to help.

Gently sand in the direction of the rib tapes until they are completely gone.   Sanding in this direction will leave a glossy area where the plastic has been moulded to represent the sags.     Load your airbrush with a 50/50 mix of Gunze Mr. Surfacer 500 and Gunze aqueous lacquer thinner.   With the airbrush set to spray quite fine, begin to fill the sagged areas with Mr. Surfacer while avoiding the higher, sanded areas.    By the time the first layer has been carefully sprayed, the first areas with Mr. Surfacer are dry enough they can get a thin second layer.    Without putting fingerprints into the surface, work the areas in until it looks like the Mr. Surfacer is ''taller'' than the surrounding sanded areas.     Then spray the entire modified layer with a bit of the 50/50 mix.

Critical:  Set project aside for a week.  Mr. Surfacer really should be allowed to cure for a while.    There is something about that system that changes between the ''dry to touch'' point and one week.    It goes from being somewhat workable to being very workable.    After a week. a fine grit sandpaper such as 1200 automotive grit used to wet sand the surface.      Then the surface is finally prepared with a grey Brillo pad purchased at the local hardware store and the surface given a once over.   It is suitable for something like Tamiya's acrylic paints at this point.        The Brillo pad I like has a grit equivalent to 000 steel wool.   

Unless one is ham fisted, the surface can be gently engraved with a sewing needle in a pin vise to represent panel lines.   

As the Mr. Surfacer is a lacquer, it is not recommended for use with other lacquers or ''hot'' solvent paints as the base layer will be reactivated and ruined.   It also will not take quite enough polish to be good for a natural metal surface.     

It can, however, save significant amounts of sanding time and frustrations.

Enjoy!