I like Fred’s Idea takes me back to building model planes.A great smell

Hi River Rat

Here is a article from Model Boats. hope that it helps

obtain a pair of fine denier ladies tights. Cut off one leg, cut off the foot and push the hull through. Paint or varnish one coat and allow to dry. sand off at deck level. The hull can then be finished with paint and varnish until the weave disappears. Lightly sand and finish as with any other wood.

The only drawback with this method is when the model has a deep keep. In this case it is best to fix an obeche keel externally, after the hull has been finished, as above.

Fred

Hello Fred, I am tempted to try the stocking technique. Do you just use normal nylon stockings? Very interesting, I must try it!!! 🤔😃👍 Thanks Dave RR

I use oil based spar urethane for sealing all wood surfaces, decks, cabins, wheel house, entire inside of hull, etc. ( First picture) It is a little harder to use than some other products but works better and lasts longer than other sealers IMHO. It also takes a couple days to dry. I use 2 ounce fiberglass cloth with Total Boat non blushing epoxy on the outer hull and have had great luck with it. It can be sanded and painted. On my mahogany boats I use this method, after the final coat of total boat I sand it and apply 2k clear coat spray from spray max. It is an amazing clear. ( Second picture) It is MOST Important that you use a respirator in a well ventilated area! Hope this helps. RR

I also agree with Ronald approach. But, I tend to glass the outside of the hull and coat interiors with either one of these. Both among my favorite products. 😊

I use Polyurethane inside and out. Soap n water cleanup of brushes and hands too. Multiple light applications, available in several finishes Satin or Gloss.

I use this also when applying the light weight fibreglass cloth. Works well, virtually no odour.
I only glass the outside of the hull. Deck, and depending upon the vessel, say a sailboat , the fibreglass is placed on the outside of the deck structures which gives a water tight seal, generally 😄

RB

Hi One & All

In the day's when Nelson had both eye's, I used to use the girlfriends old stockings and dope, it worked well then and I still use it today ( not the girlfriends stockings, the wife would not like it)

You pull the stocking/tights over the hull from the stern to the bow until it is tight, tie off the the stockings/tights then apply the dope to the hull "DO THIS OUT DOORS" when dry remove any waste. apply another coat of dope then when dry you can then paint the hull.

Fred

Morning!, I'm with the guys. Seal it all especially any nooks and crannies as they say. Happy sailing when you reach that stage

I be with them their gentlemen Dave and Colin. Yet, I be a Z-Poxy 1/2 oz. fiberglass cloth man me-self. ARR!!!😉

As Dave says, seal the whole boat. And that means inside and out, in every nook and cranny !😉

I always coat all my wooden models with ezekote and ultra fine glass cloth. That seals, hardens and protects your model for years of happy sailing.
Cheers Colin.

You could use fibreglass or sanding sealer. I would seal the whole model as water and balsa need to be kept apart. Whatever you use, use sparingly and sand after each coat before applying your final primer colours.
dave976