Help with aircraft plywood

[Michael_A]

Hello all,

I am at a key point in my Marblehead model but am having a crisis in confidence. I have epoxied on a bottom "plank" of 1/16" plywood and it is overhanging the side by about 1/16". I need to bring it flush to the sides without damaging the finish of the plywood side planking which is actually a bit sensitive. The finish is very smooth and hard but it scratches, chips, tears easily if handled too roughly.

 

I can't mask the sides with tape because it lifts off the grain ...

 

Is this just a long slow careful sanding job or is there something I am missing?

 

The bottom is about 50" long and the corner in question is perfectly fair; and I"m wanting to keep it that way. The two photos show a general view and a closeup; hopefully this is enough to see what is going on. 

Thanks,

Michael

[Charles Green]

Pretty simple - use a sanding block.  Strokes must one-way, towards the hull, so as to not lift any grain off the surface.  Careful to not strike the hull and reveal the second ply.