The instructions that come with MicaFilm covering, and many kits, suggest that you should apply the BalsaLoc (water-based) or BalsaRite (solvent-based) adhesive directly to the wood structure that you will be covering. This does provide adhesion, but has a couple of bad side effects:

1. The wood absorbs an outrageous amount of the adhesive, adding unnecessary weight to the model
2. Thin wood sections will warp very noticeably from being “wetted” on one surface (this can be somewhat handled by wetting both sides at the same time, but this can be tricky and adds weight as mentioned above)

So the easy answer is, don’t apply the adhesive to the structure! Always apply the adhesive to the MicaFilm covering material wherever the film will contact the model’s structure. The adhesive can be brushed on, or for absolute minimum weight rolled on with a roller. The adhesive layer can be quite thin and still provide fine adhesion.

Let the adhesive dry completely on the back of the MicaFilm before applying to the model using normal MicaFilm heat levels.

Done this way, the adhesive adds very little weight to the model, while still providing a very good “grip” for the covering material.