Here is a method to cover foam wing cores with News print paper and a 60/40 mix of wood glue and water. This is a light but very strong way the finish wing made with a hot wire bow. Thanks to Hoppy on RC Groups for posting this method
When I was making fireworks I specialized in black powder rockets,large ones and I learned to hand roll all my rocket tubes with WALL PAPER PASTE. When it dried it was rock hard. I just started my RC hobby after 50 years and as soon as I cut a wing core i will use this and think it much better than water based glue. In fact just having the foam soak up the paste I bet will improve strength quite a bit.
Wall paper paste sounds like it would work well but the beauty of diluting the wood glue with water and wetting the paper is that in the end there is a small amount of glue absorbed by the paper and on the surface of the foam. This makes the covering as light as possible while still adding a lot of strength. There are a lot of other methods around that are probably a little stiffer than this method but the trade off is quite a bit more weight. The way I've shown it here is the best I've come across to be as strong and light as possible. Also remember the paper is important because the paper fibers are what add the tensile strength. If the wall paper paste is what you are used to using it will probably work best for you. The only thing I would add is to get it as thin as possible. The paper adds the most strength so the thinner the better on the adhesive.
After rolling hundreds of rocket tubes and water based glue tubes for sure the paste like when applied to wall paper gives a strength not to be compared with. Most who use this method never go back to water based as it leaves ans uneven amount of glue around. The paste is just more effecient but as you have said to each its won me I live outside the box and when i begin any endeavor I check out all the methods of doing something as in firework making I created an uproar in the field and the experts went after me for,"how dare you we have used wheat paste for centuries,",all i could do is say ,"ya know new things are always being improved on due to new chemistry. One guy it took 5 years for him to come around and say the masters were right but that was then this is now.He loved the paste and swore by it. As in construction I sure my techniques in this field will shake things up abit but thats me Mr OTB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ps; I wasnt knocking your method just speaking to another alternative. The weight to performance might mean just installing a more powerful engine which isnt a big deal.
Thanks for the reply. I didn't take it as a knock at all. I am also always looking for new ideas and improvements. I think the paste is well worth a look. As you sound a lot like me I experiment with all types of building methods. If you want to get more techniques on building RC planes I would suggest RC Groups. It's a good form and you can pick up a lot of info on building RC planes. Thanks
This is awesome! I've been experimenting with hot wire cutting and other foam stuff. My background in RC is mostly balsa build up kits and nitro engines so I'm kind of lost when it comes to foam. Love the name by the way. I've been Eyeball building these crazy profiled foam board jets lately. I'm trying to get some videos of those jets up within a couple of months. Thanks for the video. I'm going to try that. Subscribed.
Bought a hanger 9 iron and a roll of thin laminating film. Works so easy and it comes out smooth and tight. This method is messy and think about it. Paper isn't going to add any strength.
Great job and informative video How much weight does the paper and glue add to the core perhaps as a percentage compared to just adding a spar instead ?
What is your process in finishing the wing? Of course sanding but do you prime after the paper covering? I'd like some details in you finishing process, I'm thinking of applying my paint with an airbrush using water based paints. Thanks
I think you are confusing dollar tree foam with hot wire cut wing cores. the idea here is to cover hot wire cut wing cores with paper not to remove paper from dollar tree foam.
Question: doing one panel at a time and let it dry before you proceed with the opposite side, doesn't the paper shrink at all thus causing wrap(s) on the side of the glued paper ? Just curious.
I bought the paper from U haul. It is un-printed newsprint. It is used for wrapping glass when moving. I have heard that it is also available at Walmart but I haven't looked for it there. A box from U haul cost about $11. But there is enough in it to last forever.
The paper does a lot of things. It adds a lot of strength and stiffness to the foam cores. It also protects the foam from abrasion. It makes a good surface to paint and you can use any type of paint and it will not eat the foam. Many paints sprayed directly on the foam will eat into the surface. The biggest reason is the stiffness it adds. You usually don't need a spar in a wing covered in paper where without it a foam wing will bend or break without a spar.
The paper does a lot. It provides strength and stiffness. Foam wings without the paper require a spar to be added. With the paper on the wing core is stiff enough without one. It also protects the foam from abrasion and dings. the paper also gives a good surface to pain. Many paints will eat the bear foam but with the paper on you can use any kind of paint without damaginge to wing core.
What is your process in finishing the wing? Of course sanding but do you prime after the paper covering? I'd like some details in you finishing process, I'm thinking of applying my paint with an airbrush using water based paints. Thanks
Sorry I haven't checked the comments in a long time. I use primer and spray paint from a can. Be sure to sand most of the primer off it can add weight.
