Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / April 2004

By a can of k2 fabric cleaner and spray it on the area (that's what I do),
let it dry (it will turn white) and after a few hours, or overnight, brush
it off.... repeat till satisfied. Corn starch (or gold bond) might do the
same thing...

Arne

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Harry,

K2R Spot Remover is probably the de-oiler of choice.  I've also done a DIY
version of it by mixing a slurry of denatured alcohol and corn starch,
applying it to the oily area, letting it dry, and either brushing or
vacuuming it off.  Some folks use kitty litter.  Heat seems to help, too.
I've tried to iron on some covering over oil-soaked wood and had the oil
boil out of it.  You can then wipe it off.  BTW, K2R can be found in the
cleaning supplies or laundry sections of grocery stores.

Morris

Morris

Corn starch (baby powder) mixed with alcohol into a paste then spread on the
area.  Brush off after it dries and repeat if necessary.

John VB

In addition to the K2r and corn starch remedies, you can also use an
iron and paper towels in the same way you remove candle wax from
fabric.

Fold the paper towels about four times, and iron it onto the
oil-soaked wood.  The heat will drive the oil out of the wood and the
paper towels will do what they do best.

It's the quickest way to remove the most oil in a hurry, but K2r may
be needed to get it all out.

Once you reach the point of diminishing returns, apply a coat of
Balsarite (for film or fabric to suit your new covering) to the wood.
The Balsarite is well-known for helping bond adhesive coverings to
previously-oiled wood.

Cheers,
Fred McClellan
The House Of Balsa Dust
http://home.mindspring.com/~the-plumber

K2r Spot Lifter is the best. It's a little hard to fine, but you can get it here:

http://65.18.207.26/store/product1761.html

And here's something that may work as well:

http://www.furniturestuff.com/Web%20Pages/SpraywaySpotlifter.asp

Spontex's K2r Spot-Lifter $3.99 for five ounces; 800-652-2002

I would like to thank everybody for their thoughtful ideas.  I tried in
vain to find K2r anywhere here in Ventura County, so I tried the
cornstarch idea some of you suggested, and I was able to get most all of
the oil out.  The hobby shop I visited didn't have any Balsarite, but I
did find a white paste called Balsaloc, which looked like it did the
same thing.  I applied it onto the affected area, let it dry a few
hours, and then I was able to apply the MonoKote to the area.  The
MonoKote held.
    Now for the bad news:  The Fledgling trainer is history.  I spent
nearly an hour today getting the engine tuned properly so I could fly
it.  However, right after I took off and made a right turn away from the
pilot station, the plane went into a nasty spin and crashed!  My initial
assessment of the damage is a total loss of the airplane, since the
fuselage is broken in so many different areas.  The engine and radio may
be damaged but both look repairable.  Oh, well!  Maybe better luck with
another plane.

Again thanks to all,
Harry Sanchez