Paul Cataldo

My Feedback: (10)

I think someone told me once that I could simply spray the plane with EITHER Windex or something else (soap and water?), and this would work just as well as using an iron to apply covering on top of existing covering. What exactly do I need to use? Just wanting to put some 8"-10" stripes on the bottoms of my wings. It's all Ultracote. Thanks fellas.

bentgear

Ultracote will need heat to seal down. The windex trick works on monokote, but realy needs either heat or trim solvent around the edges after the windex dries.
Ed M.

A&P Mechanic

Hi Paul, I think the soap/water solution is to ease the placement of the trim that you are putting on. Of course, the Windex will clean the plane just fine before you start. By the way, I REALLY prefer Ultracote to any other "plastic" covering- it isn't brittle.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Paul, what I would do, is to remove the covering where you are going to put the stripe. Leave 1/2" on each side for overlap. Then apply the stripe.

Ideally, remove the covering from between two rib bays. Then you only need about a 1/4" overlap.

bentgear

Mike, I think you have created a drawing for everything. Helps so much with the explanation.

Paul, if for some reason you can't do as Mike suggested you may want to outline the area where the trim will go and using a small pin or the tip of a sharpe knife make several small holes in the bottom layer of covering. This allows any trapped air an easy exit point. About one hole per square inch, with no need to put them within one inch of the outside edges. Use low heat, on my iron thats 225 Deg F (not measured, just a dial setting). You want to stick it down, not shrink the stripe. Make sure the base covering is tight before starting, unlike the meathod Mike suggested, I have found that sometimes its very hard to go back and shrink two layers at one time.

Ed M.

Gordo-ProBro

Hey Guys

First, with monocote, no heat is required for the windex. Don't even ask how it works, I've heard so many ideas I wouldn't know who to believe. But I have plenty of planes with it to know it works.

With ultracoat, the windex won't make it stick, but it will allow you to get it where you want if it's a tricky and especially thin trim. Then it can be heated down. On real small stuff, I don't even bother to let it dry, bigger stuff you have too.

These planes were done that way, and have many, many flights. Nothing is loose.

TOYMAKER

My Feedback: (6)

I have to agree with Gordo here. I did all the trim on a H9 232 that was a solid color by using windex to apply the Ultracote. I then squeegeed as much of it out an d then usedmoderate heat. The heat forces the Windex out and lets the adhesive do its job.

Smooth FLying...

Wayne