skoda450

Every one of my models that has monocote covering on a solid balsa surface eventually develops puckers. I have tried Balsarite on the wood prior to covering but no help. What can I do to prevent/correct the unsitely puckering?

dant-RCU

My Feedback: (3)

Use Ultracote (Oracover)!

Dan

skoda450

Yeh, I discovered that this winter. Wonder full stuff and a GREAT finish, but that doesn't help all the monocote cover puckering on my existing models.

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

If the Monokote was improperly applied, it will always wrinkle....it has to be STRETCHED when applied, not shrunk!

Safebet

My Feedback: (12)

skoda450: I have a "Big Stick" which is covered in MonoCote. This is the method I use to get rid of puckers or blisters or bubbles (usually longer than wide) or whatever:

Take my exacto and poke 3 or three holes in each one. Take the heat gun and heat the blister and then wipe with folded paper towel. Heat and wipe down, and so on.
You can use the iron, also. Just turn up the heat until you can hold the iron on the surface for a moment and see the color of the covering change slightly. Lay iron on bubble
for moment (don't press down, just lay it on the bubble) pick up iron and wipe down with folded paper towel. Works good. Sometimes you have to go back on the longer ones
and poke another hole or two and do again.

Don't leave the gun or iron on too long, just get the bubble hot and then wipe it down.

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

Once the Monokote is already applied it's really hard to fix it. The best bet your going to have it to so what Safebet recommends.

Ken

JPMacG

My Feedback: (2)

I find I do better without Balsarite. The Balsarite seems to produce gas when it gets hot during ironing. But yes, Safebet's method has worked for me. Basically, pop the zit with a pin. The pin hole closes up as the monokote cools and is not visible.

Walt Thyng

My Feedback: (9)

I agree o the Ultra Cote and the repair procedures above. I have an eight year old Ultracote covered Waco that has never been touched up and there are no wrinkles.

The real key to both Ultracote and Moneycote is the "wiping" with a towel. Actually, I use a soft cloth so as not to mar the surface. Heat an area until there is a slight color change and immediately rub with the cloth and a bit
of pressure. Tedious maybe, but easier than popping bubbles.
Walt

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Regardless of whether you use MK or UC, if they are not applied correctly, they will wrinkle.

The number 1 rule is to apply them to a clean, dust-free surface. It's amazing how much dust can collect in that woodgrain.

So before covering, shake/bang/rattle all of the dust out that you can, and then wipe it down with a tack cloth (Or a rag sprayed with spray adhesive)

deckerv

My Feedback: (21)

One of these would help too.. but don't go crazy with it

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHZ26&P=0

skoda450

I was wondering if some one would suggest the "woodpecker" as a substitute for *****ing with a pin. Some of the models have hunderds of 1/2" - 1" long puckers. Even an ARF from China.... I guess you get what you pay for...