Article courtesy of www.pongo-air.com


Fuel Proofing


Fuel proofing model aircraft is a rather simple process. Easily accomplished through the application of a single light coating of epoxy resin with a cure time of 10 minutes or more.

Epoxy resin may be slightly thinned by heating in a microwave oven, typically 5-10 seconds. I do not recommend adding IPA to the "cookie mix" as it may result in a non-curing epoxy resin. The resin may be applied by painting it on areas of bare wood (firewall fronts) with a disposable acid brush. When cured, the resin will act as an effective barrier against fuel and oil intrusion.
Acrylic paint may be added to the epoxy resin to add color. When fuel proofing, don't forget to epoxy paint the the inside of the firewall and nose compartment as well.

Install the fuel tank and fuel line tubing after the epoxy is cured. Seal the areas where the fuel line tubing has penetrated the firewall by applying a small bead of Silicon RTV around each fuel line tube.


- BACK -