Checkerboard trim sheets
05-20-2003, 06:16 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Milton Keynes, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Checkerboard trim sheets
I'm thinking of adding checkerboard strips in either black/white or red/white to the underside of the wings of an ARF LT-40 to aid orientation.
Will the checkerboard show up, or is it better to stick with solid stripes?
Will the checkerboard show up, or is it better to stick with solid stripes?
05-20-2003, 07:06 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Milton Keynes, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Checkerboard trim sheets
OK, I'm off to the shop right now....
The ARF is plain white with red and black decals, I'm sure you know the pattern.....
Even with the supplied decals both wings underneath are plain white....
So, I'm off to get some Monokote trim sheets...
Can these be applied with windex? Last time I used one I just stuck it on per the instructions but there are bubbles under it...
The ARF is plain white with red and black decals, I'm sure you know the pattern.....
Even with the supplied decals both wings underneath are plain white....
So, I'm off to get some Monokote trim sheets...
Can these be applied with windex? Last time I used one I just stuck it on per the instructions but there are bubbles under it...
05-20-2003, 09:07 PM
#5
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 6,988
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Checkerboard trim sheets
Here's how I did mine but it was the kit. I can see the squares quite well even at high altitude, not bad for what my friends call old eyes!!! 
05-21-2003, 12:12 AM
#7
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: An Iceburg in, ANTARCTICA
Posts: 6,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Checkerboard trim sheets
Tiggerniva,
A few thoughts:
Don't use the trim sheets. Buy a regular roll of Ultracote checkerboard pattern.
You can apply two ways.
1. Spray the surface to be covered with the standard water/drop of soap mix. Use a piece of balsa as a squeegee to ensure the Ultracote is properly down. Let the product sit over night, then use your heat iron to activate the glue.
2. If you tend to get bubbles when you put covering over covering (large areas), use a top-flite woodpecker covering tool to perforate the the covering where you are planning to put the checkerboard. Then follow number 1 above.
A few thoughts:
Don't use the trim sheets. Buy a regular roll of Ultracote checkerboard pattern.
You can apply two ways.
1. Spray the surface to be covered with the standard water/drop of soap mix. Use a piece of balsa as a squeegee to ensure the Ultracote is properly down. Let the product sit over night, then use your heat iron to activate the glue.
2. If you tend to get bubbles when you put covering over covering (large areas), use a top-flite woodpecker covering tool to perforate the the covering where you are planning to put the checkerboard. Then follow number 1 above.
05-21-2003, 04:31 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Milton Keynes, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Checkerboard trim sheets
Well, I've got the trim sheets, I'll think about the Ultracoat but I want the plane to be ready for the weekend...
Does anyone know if the windex method will work with the MonoKote trim sheets?
Does anyone know if the windex method will work with the MonoKote trim sheets?
05-21-2003, 06:47 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: La Paz BCS, MEXICO
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Checkerboard trim sheets
Grn Brt: See why you wear sunglasses! Does any of the pattern glow in the dark?
No took another look and decided that must be green mildew, that is moss you standing on, right? Wintered in the marina there two different winters.
Just kidding and a little envious. Nice
No took another look and decided that must be green mildew, that is moss you standing on, right? Wintered in the marina there two different winters.
Just kidding and a little envious. Nice
05-21-2003, 01:19 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Milton Keynes, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Checkerboard trim sheets
Thanks Vinnie, the smell of Windex sure beats the smell of epoxy in the workshop (but I won't tell the wife though)....
GrnBrt, that sure looks like it'd show up better than the ARF!
I couldn't believe it! Plain white! Without the decals this plane will disappear on a cloudy day....
GrnBrt, that sure looks like it'd show up better than the ARF!
I couldn't believe it! Plain white! Without the decals this plane will disappear on a cloudy day....
05-21-2003, 02:21 PM
#12
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: hollywood, MD
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Checkerboard trim sheets
I used international orange as wide as rib spacing... between alternate pairs of ribs. Works well. A credit card makes a fine squeegee.
05-21-2003, 02:58 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Milton Keynes, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Checkerboard trim sheets
Well, I've got the checkerboard stuff, but the squares look small so I might use it as decoration on top of the wing in addition to the standard red/ black stripe..
I think I'll go back to the LHS later and get some red and black solid trim sheet...
I'm sure my amex card scrached the decals when I put them on last night...
I think I'll go back to the LHS later and get some red and black solid trim sheet...
I'm sure my amex card scrached the decals when I put them on last night...
05-21-2003, 03:03 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: La Paz BCS, MEXICO
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Checkerboard trim sheets
make a test pattern of the colors and size your like, put them on a suitable size piece of cardboard and set it off 100 + meters and see if you like the visiablility.
05-22-2003, 04:05 AM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Milton Keynes, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Here it is!
I've now done the top of the wings....
The checkerboard trim sheet wouldn't stick down over the front part of the wing due to the curvature (no sheeting)
The checkerboard trim sheet wouldn't stick down over the front part of the wing due to the curvature (no sheeting)
05-23-2003, 01:56 AM
#16
My Feedback: (16)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Liberty,
MO
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Checkerboard trim sheets
Wanna see 'em? Make the checkers bigger! 5" square, laid over white with Windex. Looks great from the ground!
Tail is 2.5" squares, same method.
Tail is 2.5" squares, same method.
05-23-2003, 02:51 PM
#18
Checkerboard trim sheets
When it comes to shapes, BIGGER is better!
Many years ago I wanted to do a "Thunderbird" type pattern on the bottom of my first Ultra Sport. It was as seen below. But once it was in the air, the trailing edge of the blue just looked like a straight line.
On the next one I built, I modified the pattern to the second version, and it looked great.
Many years ago I wanted to do a "Thunderbird" type pattern on the bottom of my first Ultra Sport. It was as seen below. But once it was in the air, the trailing edge of the blue just looked like a straight line.
On the next one I built, I modified the pattern to the second version, and it looked great.
