I was wondering if anyone has used those dryer sheets instead of silkspan? Would this even work or are they just to thick? What are some of the other alternatives?
Dryer sheets are not really good at wicking up liquids. I tried them in the past to see if they could be used for substitute glass mat in a hull layup (a small box was the test subject, not sure if it was axis or allied), and it just wouldn't take liquids well. It's also several times thicker than silkspan.
Ah so thats a no go on that idea, any other alternative methods? I am preparing to silkspan my Mac before I paint her but notice I have run completely out of the stuff and my local hobby shops do not carry it.
After I stopped laughing I started thinking, perhaps it could be. if you get the cheap stuff then split it in half it is actually pretty thin stuff. AND it comes in narrow strips! haha Anyone ever tried it?
Yeah we tested TP at IRCWCC Nats last summer, one of the guys patched one side with that and the other side with silkspan all week. Overall it worked, it was a little lumpier than silkspan but it passed the drop test at the end of the week and took holes. I'm not sure it is as "good" as silkspan but it works.
On the dryer sheets did you use them in the dryer first? to get all the softner out of them? I think after you take them out of the dryer they might take liquid.. at least they feel very dry.
Haven't started any of it yet. Still have 1/4 of the hull to sheet. I may try this TP method see if it works. Drop test isn't a worry for the MAc as she has 1/8" armor for BG but if it passes the drop test in FG then there should be no issue it passing penetration test. As for it being as "good" as silkspan it may have to due until I can get my hands on more of the stuff.
I've used used dryer sheets for fiberglass substitute. It worked okay-ish. I cant imagine theyd work well for silkspan substitute. I have used basic cheap tissue paper in place of silkspan with no issue, and I understand that crappy institutional single ply TP (not the good Charmin) can be a decent substitute, with the bonus of having precut widths on a dispenser
I think it was single ply to begin with. Try and get the super cheap stuff with no ridges/patterns if you can.
Nick, that is exactly why it is kind of appealing more and more. no need to worry about did I cut it right or long enough. Just roll it out haha
