First Float Test - Have Leaks

Hi all.

I did my first float test last night and it looks like I have several leeks along the bottom of the penetrable sheeting. The sheeting was applied with silkspan already attached, but then I added additional silkspan along the seams of the panels and along the bottom. I thought that would generally seal the hull? Do I need to do another layer on the seams?

Please help!

 

What did you use to attach the balsa to the fiberglass?

 

Errr, CA glue. I couldn't find my bottle of weldwood and was under some time pressure.

 

Weldwood is really fast and IMO faster and better than CA. but you are stuck with that skin for a while so seal it up with weldwood and silkspan at the seems, paint on really light push paper on and remove wait a bit and stick down and seal. Paint will seal the leaks a bit too.

 

So weldwood the seams, seal with silkspan/patching material, paint the dang thing, and I should PROBABLY be good?

 

Run a small bead of E6000 around the sheeting and you'll be fine.

 

Thanks guys.

Steve, I'll give that a shot since I have some and that will probably be easier.

Nick, I have a pump, and the leaks aren't really bad, but water had covered the bottom of the inside of the hull after a couple of minutes.

 

Yep. Something to be said about a cheap one-part, self leveling, clear waterproof glue that bonds most anything that you can buy most anywhere.

 

E6000 is really good stuff, as is the marine goop.

 

Quick report, the e6000 worked great.

 

Great! You can also lightly coat with weldwood. Next time you sheet, use the weldwood method and you should have zero leaks. Then, when it is time to resheet just use a hairdryer to soften the balsa and everything will just peel off.

 

One more question. Is there a decent alternative to nitrate dope that is not quite sooooo..... headache-inducing? The fumes from that stuff is killing me. I may just get a heavy-duty mask to wear, but I wanted to check first.

 

Clear polyurethane, sigment, ect.

 

You're using it outside right?

 

Errr..... I was using it in an open garage. And I MAY have been too close to the can.

 

Maybe use a fan to blow the fumes outside. Any kind of enclosed space will be a problem when using dope.