Foam veneer wing repair

  • Dean M
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08 Jul 2013 16:18 #1 by Dean M
Foam veneer wing repair was created by Dean M
The model I picked up frm eBay needs a bit of a repair to the wing tip, it looks like the wing tip has smacked the ground.
The veneer has lifted slightly, this I have already cut away, the foam core has a slight ridge/crease running from leading edge to tailing edge.
It doesn't look to difficult or a lengthy repair, however I have no experience of repairing foam wings any tips would be greatly appreciated

Somebody called me 'pretentious' the other day.

I nearly choked on my latte.
Thanks: Sarah-Jane Smith

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08 Jul 2013 17:35 - 08 Jul 2013 17:37 #2 by Eric
Replied by Eric on topic Foam veneer wing repair
Dean, a wing-tip is easy! There isn't much loading stress applied to a tip, unless you hit it with the floor too often.
So, as you have cut the veneer away (you should have left it, if it wasn't damaged!), try gently warming the foam core with a hair dryer - NOT a paint stripper!! - and see if the crease will expand itself out. If it is right at the tip, within an inch or so, don't even bother with that! Just use your covering iron, and iron it straight(ish), then it's just a case of re-sticking the veneer, and covering it again.
If you have discarded the veneer, see if a piece of cornflake packet is the same thickness, and use that.
Bond the veneer/cornflake packet to the foam with pva glue, and tape/strap/tie knots in bits of string/use elastic bands and clamp it down, then leave overnight at least, to dry, making sure the wing hasn't twisted.
When it is definitely dry, it is just a case of re-covering with your preferred medium, heat-shrink film, tish, etc. If you use tish and dope, be warned, cellulose dope eats polystyrene, so if there is the tiniest gap in the join in the veneer, there will be a hole underneath it, after you have applied the dope!
p.s. Check your lateral balance when you have finished!

Repairing the root end of a panel is a very different matter.

if you are calm and collected when all about you are going berserk - you've missed something important!
Last edit: 08 Jul 2013 17:37 by Eric. Reason: added a comment
Thanks: Klipkopwildlife, Dean M

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08 Jul 2013 18:07 #3 by alan cantwell
Replied by alan cantwell on topic Foam veneer wing repair
youve shown the model Dean, lets have a piccy of the repair area

i have 2 sides
no you dont,
yes i do,

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08 Jul 2013 18:32 #4 by Dean M
Replied by Dean M on topic Foam veneer wing repair
Thanks Eric great walk through of a repair!! Will try some heat on it tonight.
What can I use as a veneer?

I would guess it is about 6-7" in from the wing tip




Somebody called me 'pretentious' the other day.

I nearly choked on my latte.
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Thanks: Klipkopwildlife, Sarah-Jane Smith

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08 Jul 2013 18:35 #5 by Dean M
Replied by Dean M on topic Foam veneer wing repair
I should have asked on here first before I butchered the veneer :blush: :blush: :blush:
It just peeled off so easily, went to far I think! Will neaten up all the edges and squeeze some PVA between the remaining veneer

Somebody called me 'pretentious' the other day.

I nearly choked on my latte.

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08 Jul 2013 18:46 - 08 Jul 2013 18:49 #6 by THE BLACKBIRD
Replied by THE BLACKBIRD on topic Foam veneer wing repair
You could use 1/16 balsa on that, i would if it was mine with PVA sand it down and cover
I would step joint it to the veneer, just cut 1" x 1/2" steps in the veneer be stronger than a straight joint
Last edit: 08 Jul 2013 18:49 by THE BLACKBIRD.
Thanks: Dean M

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08 Jul 2013 18:55 #7 by Phil Wood
Replied by Phil Wood on topic Foam veneer wing repair
I build foam wings from scratch, so if you want any assistance I'll be glad to help.
That reminds me, one of our members wants some sheet foam, I must look up who it was & get the stuff off to him, he'll be thinking I'm an ignorant bar steward. :lol:

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Thanks: Dean M

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08 Jul 2013 18:58 #8 by Dean M
Replied by Dean M on topic Foam veneer wing repair
Thanks Blackbird
Sorry if I'm being a bit of a thicko, but do you mean rather than having a straight edge running fom LE to TE cut it so it is stepped?
So it would look like this dodgy picture I have drew!! :lol:

Somebody called me 'pretentious' the other day.

I nearly choked on my latte.
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Thanks: Klipkopwildlife, Sarah-Jane Smith

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08 Jul 2013 19:01 #9 by Dean M
Replied by Dean M on topic Foam veneer wing repair
Thanks Pol I will need help with this as I have never done a repair on a foam wing before!

Somebody called me 'pretentious' the other day.

I nearly choked on my latte.

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08 Jul 2013 19:13 #10 by Phil Wood
Replied by Phil Wood on topic Foam veneer wing repair

Dean M wrote: Thanks Pol I will need help with this as I have never done a repair on a foam wing before!

If you want to have a play at cutting your own, just let me know.... I can send you a cutter FOC if you have a suitable battery or PSU.

Pol.

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Thanks: Dean M

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08 Jul 2013 19:30 - 08 Jul 2013 19:32 #11 by THE BLACKBIRD
Replied by THE BLACKBIRD on topic Foam veneer wing repair
Hi Dean no if you cut a straight line in the veneer then just cut 1"long x 1/2" wide pieces out say from the leading edge go 1" along the straight cut in the veneer then cut the 1"x 1/2" piece out, go another 1" along the straight line then cut another 1"x 1/2" piece out dont have to be an inch you could measure the wing across and divide it into equal steps
The best way to do it is cut the steps in the balsa first then lay it on the wing and mark the veneer from it, cut to the lines and you get a perfect fit
Last edit: 08 Jul 2013 19:32 by THE BLACKBIRD.
Thanks: Dean M

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08 Jul 2013 20:48 #12 by Dean M
Replied by Dean M on topic Foam veneer wing repair
Thanks for the offer Pol will let you know if I do try to make my own wings.

Thanks Blackbird that makes perfect sense.

Somebody called me 'pretentious' the other day.

I nearly choked on my latte.

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09 Jul 2013 14:36 #13 by Klipkopwildlife
Replied by Klipkopwildlife on topic Foam veneer wing repair
Dean, looks to me like both the leading and trailing edges are broken, you're going to have to cut them out, about 2" should be Ok and glue in some new. Remember you must do 'scarf' joints.

Do it now, you may never get another chance

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09 Jul 2013 20:22 #14 by Eric
Replied by Eric on topic Foam veneer wing repair
Ah - you said the wing-tip!
As Klippy said, the leading and trailing edges look cracked, and need mending, because they form most of the strength of a foam wing. All the foam really does is hold the veneer in shape!






Regarding what to use as veneer, I did put - try a piece of cornflakes box, to see if that is the same thickness.

if you are calm and collected when all about you are going berserk - you've missed something important!
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09 Jul 2013 20:38 #15 by THE BLACKBIRD
Replied by THE BLACKBIRD on topic Foam veneer wing repair
Remove the foam from behind the leading edge so you can get a bracing piece behind it, i would not cut the leading edge and splice it, as you are making two joints, i would run cyno in the crack and fit a 6mm ply brace behind the leading edge well glued with pva

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