View Poll Results: A poll
Voters: 114. You may not vote on this poll
Favorite covering
#1
Favorite covering
Because I've seen several threads by new flyers asking this question recently, we now have a poll so that they won't have to dig through several pages to find the general feeling of the group.
If you think of something else I should add, let me know.
If you think of something else I should add, let me know.
#3
Senior Member
RE: Favorite covering
I have read many, many horror stories regarding Monokote on RCU. It's all I've ever used, and I've never had a problem getting it to do what I want. It just takes heat, and lots of it.
#4
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Favorite covering
The problem with Monokote is that they have changed the formula/material they use. Monokote no longer shrinks properly (and in some cases hardly at all ) and with some colors the adhesive is worse than Coverite fabric.
The people at Monokote forgot one important thing.......If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
The people at Monokote forgot one important thing.......If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
#10
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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RE: Favorite covering
I think you should add SolarTex/WorldTex, Koverall and Fiberglass & Resin to the list. It would more accurately reflect what the constituents actually use. I personally like fiberglass & resin the best followed by Koverall and then SolarTex. Koverall over SolarTex mainly for the slight weight savings since I use that mostly on older biplane types. And there's just no way you can beat glass and resin for durability and paint surface detailing.
#11
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Join Date: May 2005
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RE: Favorite covering
Silksun Coverite, oh, wait, that's no longer available! Why, I don't know, oh that's right we all fly ARFs now and nobody actually covers there own airplane, anymore. Super Coverite, to bad it's being fazed out! I know that I am absolutly wrong for liking Coverite, but your just going to have to humor someone who started building model airplanes in the 1950s and R/C in the late 1960s. Once Coverite has been fazed out, I will then have to go to Solar or World TEX! I guess if I'm covering a fun to fly airplane I would use Ultracote, as that's what the hobby shop has in town.
At this point in time there are 40 votes, If you think you can glean information from such a small turn out, you have more confidence then I.
At this point in time there are 40 votes, If you think you can glean information from such a small turn out, you have more confidence then I.
#13
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Long Beach,
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RE: Favorite covering
I have used monokote in the past and agree whole heartedly that it takes A TON of heat to get it to do what you want, and then it barely even does what you want. I recently switched to Ultracoat and found it to be A LOT easier to use. It stretches, shrinks and goes around compound curves WAY easier than monokote. The only bum think i have found about ultacoat is that the colors are not as opaque as i would like them to be...oh well
#14
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Join Date: Jun 2007
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RE: Favorite covering
[link=http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/cs/ceconite.html]The lightest grade of (uncert) Ceconite[/link] is like Coverite without the heat sensitive glue. You gotta stick it on with something like silk/dope, but it shrinks/shapes with heat just like Coverite. Cost is significantly cheaper than Coverite or Monocote -- ~$3/square yard. You get it in widths in the 70 inch range as well, which is something you can't get with anything like Coverite or Monocote.
#15
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RE: Favorite covering
I"m in the "Other" group..
My covering of choice for now is Polyester Dress liner applied with Polycrylic, color coat of your choice and top coated with Water Based Exterior Urethane.
It's the low/no odor fabric system.
2nd choice is Monokote.. I have not yet tried Ultrakote.
My covering of choice for now is Polyester Dress liner applied with Polycrylic, color coat of your choice and top coated with Water Based Exterior Urethane.
It's the low/no odor fabric system.
2nd choice is Monokote.. I have not yet tried Ultrakote.
#17
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Join Date: Aug 2002
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RE: Favorite covering
Nice covering jobs Deadeye. I was wondering how you do the multicolors such as on the wings? The only way that I could do that was to make hundreds of pin holes under the piece that I was applying to prevent bubbles. I tried doing it in pieces but had many problems when shrinking it.
#18
Senior Member
RE: Favorite covering
ORIGINAL: winglift
Nice covering jobs Deadeye. I was wondering how you do the multicolors such as on the wings? The only way that I could do that was to make hundreds of pin holes under the piece that I was applying to prevent bubbles. I tried doing it in pieces but had many problems when shrinking it.
Nice covering jobs Deadeye. I was wondering how you do the multicolors such as on the wings? The only way that I could do that was to make hundreds of pin holes under the piece that I was applying to prevent bubbles. I tried doing it in pieces but had many problems when shrinking it.
I use the 'windex method'. After base color, I wait a week and reshrink before I apply the multicolor. Cut your piece, spray with windex on the adhesive side, apply to plane and squeegee out the windex with a scrap pice of balsa. Do a search, there is a ton of info about using windex with Monokote.
#19
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
RE: Favorite covering
I cover all my planes with uncertified ceconite fabric obtained from Aircraft Spruce & Specialties. Heat shrink, three coats of nitrate dope thinned 50/50, and painted with latex paint, brushed on. There is no better way to cover. These are all giant scale airplanes made to last.
#22
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RE: Favorite covering
I like Monokote for its strength. Yes its a little hard to work with, but it holds up well. My next choice is the Sig Aerokote. It shrinks VERY well, but it is less durable than Monokote. I really haven't had much chance to try Ultracoat, since my LHS doesn't sell it. I prefer to buy covering first hand, so I can really tell the color. I have seen two rolls of the same brand, same color that did not match.
Brad
Brad
#24
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RE: Favorite covering
I've just finnished a kit with monokote the last I built was two years ago. I had a bunch left over from then which went on eazy the new I bought felt heavier and fought me every inch.
#25
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Join Date: Nov 2006
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RE: Favorite covering
Sig Aerokote for me!
This stuff sticks like **** to a blanket to balsa, bonds to itself REALLY well for laying up colours, and shrinks like a demon.
I tried Monokote, and even have a Pulse Xt 40 covered in Monokote, and it bites.
Gonna strip the Monokote off the Pulse when I get some more Aerokote, the Monokote justs keeps loosening up and is starting to really **** me off.
I've tried Profilm, and I like it for the most part, but the adhesive backing is a bit annoying when your laying it out.
Big thumbs up for the Sig stuff
This stuff sticks like **** to a blanket to balsa, bonds to itself REALLY well for laying up colours, and shrinks like a demon.
I tried Monokote, and even have a Pulse Xt 40 covered in Monokote, and it bites.
Gonna strip the Monokote off the Pulse when I get some more Aerokote, the Monokote justs keeps loosening up and is starting to really **** me off.
I've tried Profilm, and I like it for the most part, but the adhesive backing is a bit annoying when your laying it out.
Big thumbs up for the Sig stuff