Faux Wood

nknobil · 4 February 2020, 05:08 AM

I'm building an AA Sopwith Camel, and am pondering how to make the aluminum wing struts look like they're wood...

What do those that have been there recommend and why?

1. Paint (Two Tone)
2. Vinyl Wrap

"Learn from the mistakes of others, 'cause you'll never live long enough to make 'em all yourself."

RobW · 4 February 2020, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nknobil

I'm building an AA Sopwith Camel, and am pondering how to make the aluminum wing struts look like they're wood...

What do those that have been there recommend and why?

1. Paint (Two Tone)
2. Vinyl Wrap

"Learn from the mistakes of others, 'cause you'll never live long enough to make 'em all yourself."

Talk to Robert B., he has a paint technique that is pretty convincing.

Brad · 4 February 2020, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nknobil

I'm building an AA Sopwith Camel, and am pondering how to make the aluminum wing struts look like they're wood...

What do those that have been there recommend and why?

1. Paint (Two Tone)
2. Vinyl Wrap

"Learn from the mistakes of others, 'cause you'll never live long enough to make 'em all yourself."

Other options to consider:

3. Veneer
4. Wood grain "wrapping paper" or "shelf paper"
5. Replace aluminum struts with wood

N28 · 4 February 2020, 09:52 AM

We replaced the aluminum with wood as modifying the aluminum struts to match the original's Nieuport 28 profile would have required as least as much work and still not provided the look of wood. Personal preference only.

My opinion: If you do cover the aluminum with veneer or vinyl or wrap you will be unable to inspect the strut for cracks or corrosion that may appear. If it were me I would stay with paint as the paint film is more likely to show a crack in the structure while veneer or wrap may not let the crack come through the cover. The same holds for corrosion. Corrosion will bubble the paint, it may not affect the other coverings. At a minimum, if a vinyl or veneer covering is used I would not apply that covering anywhere near an attach bolt hole as this would be the most likely spot for cracks to start.

The AA struts are one of numerous areas that this type of decision will be needed and is what makes the AA planes so much fun to build. Our process for working through any change always began with safety and maintainability as our primary requirements.
Have fun!

minimax · 5 February 2020, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobW

Talk to Robert B., he has a paint technique that is pretty convincing.

I'm in the UK and not building a Baslee type - is it possible to give a brief explanation of the Baslee method?

On a slightly related topic - what color in the Stewart/Poly-Fiber range are you guys using to match clear doped fabric? I need to match the French fabric, which is slightly creamier than British.

nknobil · 5 February 2020, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N28

Our process for working through any change always began with safety and maintainability as our primary requirements.
Have fun!

Excellent point, Tom. Next time I talk to RB (I limit myself to 3 questions per session) I'll ask for some of his wisdom.

On another note...anyone here attending Sun-n-Fun next month?

N28 · 5 February 2020, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minimax

I'm in the UK and not building a Baslee type - is it possible to give a brief explanation of the Baslee method?

On a slightly related topic - what color in the Stewart/Poly-Fiber range are you guys using to match clear doped fabric? I need to match the French fabric, which is slightly creamier than British.

The AA airplane's structure is aluminum tube joined with gusset plates using blind (pop) rivets. Simple, light and strong. Quick build is at the forefront of the designs, faithfulness to the subjects original dimensions not so much

thus the recurring question from AA builders on how to hide the aluminum tube wing struts.

We are closing in on fabric but have not selected a "linen" butyrate dope color. There are numerous discussions on this subject on this forum that may be of help. When we reach the point of paint we will post our choice on the "Culpeper Nieuport, again" thread.

chesterpiglet · 10 February 2020, 03:48 AM

Nick.
Here is an article about "faux" graining.

https://thishandcraftedlife.wordpres...s-with-a-comb/

I presume you paint an undercoat & then when dry a top coat that you then "comb" to reveal the pattern of the type of wood you wish to reproduce.
I have a cased set of 19thC ones here but can't find them & in any case you should be able to get them in the States online I would think.
It looks very realistic to me.
Good luck.
Rob