Comments on: Fiberglass a Wing – Tips for producing a smooth surface

By: Wouter Vroom

Wouter Vroom — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 19:32:11 +0000

Always use nitril gloves to avoid possible allergic reaction.

By: Ed Martz

Ed Martz — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 13:32:22 +0000

For cutting pieces of cloth from the roll of cloth use a fabric cutting wheel on a cutting mat. You can get these cutting wheel tools at any fabric store or anywhere that sells fabric. They make clean unfrayed cuts as opposed to knives or scissors.

By: Evan Bengtson

Evan Bengtson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:44:41 +0000

Good to see this being shared. Ive been glassing model surfaces for a long time and believe it’s the best treatment of balsa or veneer for a painted finish. The only addition I would suggest is to cut the fibre glass fabric on the bias, it doesn’t have to be precisely +/- 45 but this helps greatly in avoiding frayed edges and allows the fabric to more easily go over compound surfaces such as wing tips, fillets and fuselage contours. Cheers Evan

By: Fred Stong

Fred Stong — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:53:06 +0000

Q_3

I was taught to consistently apply the underside surfaces first and finish with the upper surfaces by drawing them over and down on the edges. Starting on the underside first, where any imperfections made while I’m warming up are less noticeable.

Thoughts?

By: Fred Stong

Fred Stong — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:42:30 +0000

Q_2
Please comment on the use of 3/4 oz. cloth as a base layer, followed by 1 oz. cloth as layer #2.
I’ve only glassed OS-60-sized craft [or smaller] using 1 oz. cloth, and the strength proves more than sufficient. I suggest the 3/4 & 1 oz. method might work well and provide an easier-to-apply base layer. Thoughts?

By: Fred Stong

Fred Stong — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:37:20 +0000

Q_1
Do you glass the sidewalls of your control surfaces? Your pictures show only the top/bottom surfaces getting glassed.