MasterClass #16 brings together two cornerstone aspects of RC airplane building: perfecting the final details of the Minuet build and understanding the full Zap Glue product line. Joshua Orchard and Brian Schiller guide viewers through adhesives, finishing systems, safety tips, and smart building habits—all while counting down to the final airplane giveaway happening on July 11th at 9:00 AM during a live NATS broadcast.
With finishing touches underway and adhesive choices becoming increasingly important, this episode serves as one of the most educational and practical sessions in the series.
Why Glue Choice Matters: Final Build Notes & Setup Lessons
Joshua briefly updates viewers on his Minuet’s behavior in flight. An issue with roll authority surfaced due to incorrect setup of the Spektrum AS3X stabilization system. His plan: fly it first with his own radio, then retest the receiver with stabilization disabled.
To support clean control routing and ensure no binding while troubleshooting, builders often rely on DU-BRO Ball Links for precision and zero slop:
With the airplane nearly complete, adhesive selection now plays a major role in the strength, finish, and long-term reliability of the model.
Zap Glue Product Line Breakdown
Zap-A-Gap (Medium CA)
A universal favorite. Excellent for general assembly and works well with balsa, hardwood, and composites. For applying CA cleanly, Flex-Tips offer precise droplet control:
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Pink Ultra Thin CA
Thinner than water—ideal for tight joints where wicking is needed. Perfect for bonding balsa or carbon fiber instantly. Best used when all parts fit perfectly.
Slow Zap (Thick CA)
Thick like maple syrup. Excellent for filling wider gaps and bonding irregular joints. Works especially well when applying fillets or reinforcing harder woods.
CA Accelerators (Zip Kicker)
Heptane-based accelerators that won’t damage paint, unlike acetone-based versions. They instantly cure thick CA but reduce bond strength by about 5% because they limit deep penetration.
CA Debonder
A lifesaver for work benches, fingers, and accidental glue runs. Removes cured CA cleanly when rolled or scraped.
For organizing glue bottles, accelerators, debonders, and applicators, keeps the area clean and efficient:
Foam Safe CA & Canopy Glue
Zap’s Foam Safe CA solves the problem of thin CA seeping too deeply through foam and weakening the bond. This medium-thickness formula ensures a surface-level cure ideal for foam models.
Their Canopy Glue (a flexible white glue) dries perfectly clear, resists vibration, and does not fog canopies the way CA fuming does. It’s also great for making tiny rivets on scale builds.
For cutting clean canopy curves, DU-BRO Canopy Scissors are the gold standard:
Epoxies: 5-Minute, 30-Minute & Finishing Resin
The Zap epoxy line includes:
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5-minute epoxy – quick field repairs and small bonding surfaces
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30-minute epoxy – stronger structural joints with longer working time
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Finishing Resin – ultra-thin laminate resin for fiberglass cloth
All are mixed 1:1 by volume, cured over 24 hours, and are completely fuel proof once cured.
After epoxy cures, sharp edges on firewalls or mounts are best cleaned using DU-BRO Kwik Sand Hand Sanders for precise surface prep:
Glue Storage, Clogging Prevention & Best Practices
Joshua explains:
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Always burp the bottle to avoid clogging
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Use fine flexible tips for small joints
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Refrigerate CA to extend shelf life, but let it warm before opening
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Avoid moisture exposure, which prematurely cures CA
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Mix epoxy in gentle figure-eight motions to reduce trapped air
For routing servo wires and fuel lines after the glue work is done, the keeps everything tidy:
A Strong Finish for the Minuette Build
As MasterClass #16 wraps, viewers gain not just adhesive knowledge, but a complete understanding of how glue choice affects build quality, weight, tuning, and longevity. With the Minuet nearly complete, Joshua and Brian transition from major construction to the small refinements that turn a model airplane into polished, show-ready craftsmanship.
