Semroc Goblin Build Part 6 Fin Grain Filling

Many use Sanding Sealer to fill the balsa grain, I prefer thinned Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler.

The picture has been flipped to show the proper orientation of how the fin will glue to the body tube.

The leading edge is at the top, the root edge is at the left.

Brush on the Wood Filler first WITH the grain, concentrating on getting the filler into the grain pores. You are almost pushing the filler into the grain with the brush. It's easier to get the thick filler into the grain if you brush with the grain direction first.

While that filler is still wet (don't add any more filler to the brush) then brush AGAINST the grain. This will again push the filler into the grain.

In the picture you can see how half the fin was brushed against the grain going from the middle up. the other half was brushed from the middle down. Don't forget to brush filler onto the edges.

If you've mixed water and filler to the right consistency, it should look like the picture above. There will be shallow brush strokes after it dries.

I usually will brush filler on one side and the edges and let dry while I do the one side of the other three fins.
When all four fins has been coated with filler, I go back to the first fin and fill the other side.

NOTE: If you are filling thin 1/16" thick fins, the CWF can warp the fins.
When you coat the other side and after it dries, the warp should go away.