Covering, covering the planes.

[HappyRCFlyer]

I enjoy the covering process on the planes, from growing up with simple tissue, to the modern range of plastic coverings. I do fiberglass the the rest, for finish and fabrication for that matter too.

This is a down right intimidating process for the new to build or those that build and had this part, it doesn't need to be so.

I put together my own, just text and photo's along that matter, I prefer that over video format in this area and many more at. https://happyrcflyer.com/covering/

I review the Aloft inventory upon them, drool, and try to pull myself back and realize I cannot buy it all, even though it's so tempting. https://alofthobbies.com/collections/new-stuff

My tutorial still applies to the lot selling upon there. Chinacoat, Monocoat, Ultracoat, etc., it's the same process with some minor revisions between coverings in general.

I will say though, reviewing the lot, take out as much tension between the spans as you possibly can, even if they look ugly, the shrinking process of the covering should fill in the gaps.

 

[Wayne]

For little planes like that, you can source 1.2 mil films. We don't stock them simply due to the fact that our supplier doesn't stock them. I'm that lazy. Pulling around those tips in Doculam is a little tricky. Well done. Normal shrink films are far easier for the complex curves.

 

[HappyRCFlyer]

Thanks! The Doculam I'm using is 1.5 mil which is the same as Ultracoat Parklite. It's high temp version which requires my heating iron to be on high the whole time. Ultracoat is still my favorite and you are right along dedicated for hobby use covering is easier to work with, especially around complex curves. One thing I do like about Doculam is that it will re-shrink/shrink adjust after the fact for as many times as you want, dedicated coverings from what I've used, once they reached their threshold, there is no more re-shrinking or the rest that can be done, this is useful for putting in wash or taking out warps. I can say though, with the recent addition of using glue stick in combination or to supplement the adhesive, it's been most helpful, be it will grip much harder on dedicated coverings, but it's nice to be able to lay down the covering similar to tissue before applying heat to solidify the bond.

 

[Wayne]

Yeah, I'll need to try the glue stick trick. That one is new to me.

 

[HappyRCFlyer]

I started using it for tissue covering, just to tack things down and follow up with thinned down pva/wood glue instead of the usual working with just the glue alone for that element. It was most helpful and you could reposition it as well before applying the glue and the tissue would not tear being wet. It was a random what if moment trying it out on the Doculam and I was skeptical, thinking it's not going to bond that well or last, it certainly surprised me though and big smiles on being able to use some tissue covering world onto these plastic coverings, rather the best of both worlds when it comes down to it. I use 3m brand, Elmers or most dollar store brands will do, I do suggest you try it out on some stock and your films are going to be a bit more aggressive on that bond as all mainstream ones so be careful along when adding heat on your iron to tack them/seal down.