What to seal with?

[Ryan_from_OHio]

I got my hull 50% or so done now. What do you all use to seal it anyhow? I built a wood boat like 6 years ago and I believe I used SIG sanding sealer? I can remember.

Can I apply this with an air brush? And should I use the SIG or is there something else? And do I spray it on the inside of everything (sponsons) before final assembly?

Sorry for the nebie questions.

[Ryan_from_OHio]

Will sanding sealer seal the balsa enough so I can flaot the boat in the tub to see if its waterproof?

[toyboy4145]

ryan,
clear polyurethane aerosol is great for sealing balsa. You should seal everything you can. I'm not sure about the sanding sealer being waterproof, check the label on the can.

[twmaster]

Sanding sealer is water and fuel proof but I personally like polyurethane. Sands well, cleans up with water and has minimal smell.

My favorite is Minwax Polycrylic available in quart cans at your good ole' local Wally World (Wal*Mart)

[Tremors]

Just to make a note... Minwax PolyCrylic is'nt nitro proof. Not a problem if your using electric.
I took some scrap wood and put the polycrylic on it and then poured some 30% nitro on it after it was dry. After 5 minutes the poly was all eatten up by the nitro.
I have used the polycrylic to seal/waterproof the inside of my nitro boat where the nitro won't get to it.
Geno

[twmaster]

Thanks for the info on nitro and polycrylic not being a good match! I only run electric wood boats so I am good to go!

[jtnrumrunner]

My next (usually bi-monthly) trip to Walmart, I'm gonna get me some Minwax.

On another note, what would be a good sealer for plastic hulls (I think it's polycarbonate stuff, relatively flexible white plastic material)?