Covering Balsa Models with Dope, Tissue and Banana Oil

[@justincase1575]

That’s how I covered them 50 years ago! May get back at it now that I’m retired!

[@H-B-vid]

me too

[@tyronemarcucci8395]

Wow, banana oil. I first used that stuff in1948. My dad used it over charcoal drawings. Didn't even know it was still used or available. I use not tautening dope instead.

[@johnroberts3723]

Interesting, Is non shrinking dope available from model supplier? Thanks.

[@johnroberts3723]

Thanks for sharing your skill and knowledge. Also I like the idea of using stuff that isn't water based which reduces the problem of raising the balsa grain.

[@pcj3405]

Spit looks great!

[@MouseSquadron]

Great video and lovely job on the 2 models.

[@computerillustration]

Excellent video. Question, do you thin the banana oil with anything like you thin dope? Cheers

[@jeremiahwasabullfrog957]

Sorry to bother. New to this. What do you mean by "thinners?" I would also like to use the colored tissue technique instead of painting. Just like you did on the Spit.

[@donadams8345]

There must be as many ways to cover a model as there are people who have covered them. Over the years I have covered them several different ways.

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

Is the bababa oil used instead of dope to prevent excessive shrinkage?

[@chuckintexas]

Learned something new today - THANKS !

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

Does banana oil need to be thinned like nitrate dope?

[@peterbrown7130]

Great informative video 👍👍

[@johnklamp6985]

Where can I find the banana oil?

[@AndysEastCoastAdventures]

Nicely done, doing some small aircraft r/c conversions and some helpful hints. Having done tissue & dope since the 80's. Used to use glue rather than dope to hold it on though. Where do you buy your supplies from?

[@williamnewell7784]

What does banana oil for? New to this.

[@sparbuster3619]

Think of it as a sealant coat, it stops the tissue from further shrinking and warping once the model is built. It also leaves a nice satin finish and is lighter than dope. Hope this helps.

[@stvrob6320]

what is the advantage of covering the tissue with Banana oil rather than clear dope?

[@ytehrani3885]

Thanks so much for demo. Am totally new to balsa constructions, so could you mention some brand names of dope, thinner & banana oil (was it Guild Materials?), & maybe what type of 'Asaki'(sp?) tissue you recommend & is available in UK. All I've seen is EZ dope for £13 on Amazon. Thanks.

[@Danf936]

I use EZ dope... Doesn't make much of a difference.

[@sparbuster3619]

Apologies for the late reply, I have been working abroad. The dope and Banana Oil is available online, I like Als Hobbies as I have been going there since I was a kid. The vintage model company also sell it. ESAKI unfortunately is now out of production but you can do this with domestic tissue, Jperkins have an excellent range of colours and are reasonable on price. As for the thinners buy the Barratone stuff from Halfords it's a high grade thinner and won't cause any bloom or bleaching.

[@ytehrani3885]

@@sparbuster3619 Thank you so much! Great info.

[@ytehrani3885]

@@Danf936 Thank you!

[@romanpolanski4928]

A question: why do you apply the adhesive dope only to the edges and not to the central spar and ribs?

[@shaunohare3004]

The spars and ribs are only meant to hold the wing together and give it shape. Adhesive should only be applied to the edges, so the dope can shrink the tissue and tighten it evenly around the wing.

[@romanpolanski4928]

@@shaunohare3004 What do you do if the wing has undercamber, i.e. is concave? The wing of the Keil Kraft Caprice is like this. Applying adhesive to the spars only will result in the tissue standing proud of the ribs.

[@shaunohare3004]

@@romanpolanski4928 you probably could apply adhesive to the central spar in that case, but I'm afraid I can't offer great advice as I'm still quite the amatuer aeromodeller myself.

[@terryblackman6217]

Nice video well presented. Let's see some more.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Really useful, thanks

[@sblack48]

what kind of dope? Butyrate? Nitrate?

[@jimbird1240]

What are thinners?

[@engleharddinglefester4285]

I'm sold on banana oil now.

[@kf4293]

Is there an advantage of banana oil over thinned clear dope?

[@sparbuster3619]

Yes especially on small models, it's lighter than dope and leaves a nice satin finish. Most importantly it's non-shrink, normal dope can be have quite an aggressive shrink and causes issues on smaller models.

[@Colin399]

Thanks, that was a great help

[@GrandpaHerman1]

If only I could get paid to build these.

[@lindabozone9999]

Where can I buy banana oil.

[@sparbuster3619]

Apologies for the late reply, I'm UK based and get mine from Als Hobbies

[@EasyOne]

good

[@user-AdiUtomo]

Bagus kawan

[@CahnDalan310]

Bagus banget

[@anthony3D]

👍👍👍😎