Silkspan sails

[Don Case]

I've noticed that people paint their silkspan before making the sails. Is this just for color or does it add strength or??

 

[Winter]

This is to animate the model. Look at the photos of real sailboats, working sails are not clean, freshly washed.

 

[John Hendrix]

I think the paint is often mixed with PVA glue for strength.

 

[OlivierF]

I have the thin and medium silkspan and by itself it’s pretty see-through and not very “sail like”. So the paint provides some opacity and realism.

 

[MikeC]

Look at Tom Lauria’s silkspan sailmaking videos. I’ve made 9 sails using his technique and have gotten excellent results. Compliments, too. Just Google his name, you’ll get there.

 

[Don Case]

I've watched it quite a few times. It's very good but at the moment Silkspan is a little steep for me at $50 Can for 6 sheets. Since I want to do furled sails I'm trying another method using facial tissues.

Opinions Needed on Furled Sails Please

I'm trying different things for furled sails. Does this look passable? This is just a mock-up so you have to imagine proper gaskets and seam lines etc. Be honest, Thanks :)

shipsofscale.com

 

[MikeC]

I have the thin and medium silkspan and by itself it’s pretty see-through and not very “sail like”. So the paint provides some opacity and realism.

I've noticed that people paint their silkspan before making the sails. Is this just for color or does it add strength or??

Both, actually. And painted silkspan sails furl nicely afterwards misting . Quite realistically if you fool with them

 

[MikeC]

I think the paint is often mixed with PVA glue for strength.

I haven’t needed glue. Just acrylic rolled on evenly and let dry.