kinds of coverings

[varmit]

Hi guys, I'm pretty new to the airplane side of this. But was wondering what was the easiest covering to work with? I saw some plastics and different kinds of fabrics out there. Any tips on getting started in this would be greatly appreciated!

[SQRT(-2)]

I am new too, but they say the plastics like monocote are the easiest to use. Paper and cloth are hard to get tight.

Just what I hear.

[varmit]

thank you for the reply.

[hyperfly]

@varmit: I saw some plastics and different kinds of fabrics out there. Any tips on getting started in this would be greatly appreciated!

A relative owned an aircraft fabrication and parachute business, so. .. for years, with their help, I built balsa wood model aircraft using (silk) fabric and doped it.

Some good guidelines.

How to Silk a Model Aircraft Wing
http://airfieldmodels.com/informatio...wing/index.htm

Finishing and Covering Materials
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform..._materials.htm

Under PART 13 - FABRIC COVERING:
http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/Tutori...om%20Plans.htm

Covering Tutorial for Beginning Builders
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=711624

I have also used Monokote with an iron and heat gun.

[IMO] Using a heat gun, in this fashion, requires practice.

Monokote, hard to get good results.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...1568165&page=4

Applying Monokote for the first time
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1097887

Best way to apply monokote
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=959349

One can remove monokote wrinkles with an iron or by carefully using (requires practice) a heat gun

I am currently building foam related aircraft (foamies) and do not cover them with anything but tape. In the future I may try Liquid Sheeting, because I am curious.

Using Liquid Sheeting on foam models
http://www.wowplanes.com/LS_ll_Manual.htm

@SQRT(-2): Paper and cloth are hard to get tight.

My experience was: As dope dries, it tightens the fabric (cloth).

[varmit]

Wow! thanks for all the info. Lots of good info here. hope I can return the favor someday.

[Crashkopter]

My experiences with coverings started with tissue and dope on the small, rubber powered planes I built as a kid. On my R/C builds starting in the 80s, I used Monokote. I tried Ultracote which I found to be easier to work with since it needs a lower temperature. I thought it was going to be a one way door until the Ultrapaint I used on my Pitts did not quite match up to the Ultracote covering. So I switched back to Monokote on my Laser build. The Monokote paint I used on another earlier model matched exactly. It takes a little more patients with monokote to bend it seamlessly around wingtips, cowls, leading edges, etc. Lotsa heat, constant pulling and a cold washcloth will get it done! Leave plenty of extra material in those areas because you need a firm grip to pull. Heat and pull and when no wrinkles, cold cloth to cool. Do a little at a time. On the other hand one can put Ultracote on to plastic that the the temperature of Monokote will melt!

[varmit]

very nice tips. I printed it off to help me. Thanks Fellow Freakers!