BLACKISH MANZONIA-2X6X1000 MM-10 PCS

Dark manzonia strips 2 x 6 x 1000 mm

The pack holds ten wooden strips with a section of 2 x 6 mm and a length of one meter. Manzonia is an African hardwood which, according to the name, holds a dark, blackish tone and has a dense, unobtrusive grain with no pronounced growth rings. That is exactly why it is used in ship modeling where a surface is to look calm and dark by itself, that is without staining and without painting.

Use on a model

• the second, visible layer of hull planking — a width of 6 mm suits the visible planks of larger hulls
• deck planks and dark bands in contrast with pale woods
• wales and side strips meant to break the hull up to the eye
• making up or replacing strips that have run out or been damaged in a kit on the bench

Working with the wood

Cut the strips with a sharp scalpel or a fine modeling saw over a support, and never break them — hardwood likes to splinter at the cut. Shape a strip for the curves of a hull in advance: moisten it, warm it with a plank bender or a hot head and let it cool in shape. Only then glue it, because a strip pulled on by force will work its way off the hull in time. It is bonded with PVA wood glue, and on short joints and edges super glue will serve; pressure comes from clothes pins, rubber bands or brass pins. After sanding, level the seams with a mixture of sanding dust from the same wood and glue; it matches in color better than any general-purpose filler. At the end, a light sanding and matte varnish, wax or oil to bring the grain out is enough.

Who the strips are for

For builders of wooden ship models who are planking a hull or laying a deck, and for modelers whose material from the box has run out. It also suits building to a plan of one's own, where longer pieces of one wood in a uniform tone are needed.

The strips are supplied in their natural state, unworked and without any surface finish. Glue, abrasives and varnish are not included in the package.