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I have all wooden parts in my shop with a dehumidifier. I know I have to at least get varnish in bolt holes before assembling parts. I'd like to know:
1) What type of varnish did you use (epoxy, water based or oil)? Brand?
2) When did you apply the varnish?
I plan to use Stewart Systems for covering. I'd like to at lease varnish bolt holes and hing locations so I can assemble the larger parts.
Thanks!
John C
1. I've used Poly-Fiber Epoxy Varnish. 2 part smelly stuff that absorbs very well and forms a tough hard surface. Expensive. Impervious to the chemicals used during the covering process so at the very least use this for the outside areas that will see fabric.
I've also used hardware store oil based 1 part spar varnish. Cheaper but goes on heavier IMO and can not be used where fabric will touch it. I've used it on interior parts of my plane, but in the future will use 2 part epoxy varnish exclusively as I feel it's a better product.
2. I applied the varnish as soon I was sure I would not be doing anymore gluing on that particular surface. Basically I varnish each major component when they are complete (rudder, fin, elevator, ailerons, wing panel, etc)
The water-borne Stewart System adhesive (3M) will not attack varnishes so your choice of varnish is just dependent on what you want to use.
Thanks!