Wood Hardner for Fins

[John Galt]

What is/are the advantages and disadvantages of using a wood hardener like Minwax on balsa fins? Does a wood hardener actually strengthen the fins like papering does?

 

[RocketManDan]

never tried it. Maybe they are just talking about a hard finish that doesn't scratch as easy? Not sure?

 

[chadrog]

There is a product called "wood hardener",(Minwax, I think) but I've never used it. From what I've read of people who have/do use it, it takes a looooooooooong time to fully cure.

 

[Marc_G]

I used to use it often mixed with spot putty and painted onto the fins. Works well enough but does take a while for full cure.

Nowadays if I want to harden fins I use thin CA, let it dry an hour, then proceed with either spot putty or CWF. Much harder fins due to the CA and faster time to result.

 

[nealkas]

What is/are the advantages and disadvantages of using a wood hardener like Minwax on balsa fins? Does a wood hardener actually strengthen the fins like papering does?

Although I papered my fins, I also recoated them.
I thin Elmers wood glue, paint it on, air dry for a bit, bake them at 170f for an hour or so, and sand smooth for the same reason. Did that with my estes tubes and other cardboard as well.
I have no proof, but that is what I do.
The sound quality between coated and uncoated suggests the coated ones are...harder and stiffer. I don't yet know if it 'improves my performance'.

 

[neond7]

I use Aerogloss sanding sealer - seems to soak into the wood a good bit. It takes at least 2 coats with sanding in between (I do 3 coats to be sure) to turn the wood into a nice slick fin.
I'm assuming its also hardening the fins due to the addition of whatever magic is soaking into the wood?? I could be wrong, though, and it may or may not add to the hardness of the wood.
P.S. - it smells horrible while applying, use plenty of venilation.

 

[DeeRoc29]

I'm late to this party but so happy to have discovered this stuff. One coat on plywood fins fills and seals nicely.

 

[manixFan]

What is/are the advantages and disadvantages of using a wood hardener like Minwax on balsa fins? Does a wood hardener actually strengthen the fins like papering does?

Just do a search on 'minwax' in the search box in the upper right corner. You'll get a lot of threads where folks have actually used it and what their results were.


Tony