squeakalong

My Feedback: (8)

Let's have a poll and see what the kit builders would choose today, by way of a film covering, to finish their model aircraft. Select between Ultacoat or 21 Century film offerings. No Monokote vote in this poll. Please feel free to comment on/discuss why you would use the selection you voted on. Thanks.

Soft landings.

Joe

ggraham500

My Feedback: (4)

My overall favorite is WorldTex. Easy to work with and strong.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I've been using iron-on coverings since they came out with MonoKote in the 60s

I took a hiatus from the sport for a few years and when I came back in the late 80s, I wanted to try some of these new coverings that I had seen advertised, so I tried 21st Century film.

I was immediately hooked! It went on SO much easier than MonoKote, but after only one season, the clear plastic started separating from the color.

Then someone told me about Ultracote. That's all I use now (Except when I really want a color that only MK has, but even then the rest of the covering will be UC)

Top_Gunn

My Feedback: (6)

I've used both Ultracote and 21st Century film with good results so far. I don't want to vote yet, though, until I see how the Ultracote holds up. And maybe one try each isn't a big enough sample anyway. About three years ago I covered two planes with Monokote in the same month. One of them (maroon and white) has held up wonderfully: best covering result I've ever had. The other (red and yellow) sags every time I fly it and has to be reshrunk. The real problem with Monokote is its inconsistency. I suspect them of having farmed out the manufacturing process to somebody with really poor quality control.

EscapeFlyer

My Feedback: (1)

I do not appreciate how the wood grain bleeds through on most Ultracoat colors.

Your options are limited as I don't use either. I prefer Monokote.

squeakalong

My Feedback: (8)

The poll options are limited because we aren't talking about Monokote here...the choice is "would you choose Ultracoat or 21st Century film" and, hopefully, the benefits of one or the other. This input, such as the comment from Mike B. concerning the separation of color and clear with 21st Century film and your comment about how the wood grain bleeds through on Ultracoat can assist those of us seeking another film alternate to Monokote. Let's stick to the poll question, please.

Soft landings.

Joe

EscapeFlyer

My Feedback: (1)

I got ya.

My answer is neither.

Bipes

airbusdrvr

Play with all the others, you will end up with Ultracote!

Scar

My Feedback: (3)

I didn't vote because I use them both: Fabric on Cubs and the like, Ultracote when I want shiny film. You have chosen the fabric I use and the film I use. I didn't see a "both" selection.

Dave Olson

huck1199

I use:

Hobbycity - 18' rolls lower price, works like Ultracote
Sig - color in plastic not adhesive, good price
Ultracote - ease of application but expensive

icegs

If this poll is looking for an alternative to Monokote, it might be useful to compare them to the product you are trying to replace.



I've used all three, and there isn't a single brand that I will stick to. I like the way that Coverite film goes on sheeted surfaces, but I find open structures easier with Monokote and Ultracote. Between Ultracote and Coverite I would choose the one that has the best colour. I've had nice results with both.

My favourite covering material that I've used so far is Toughlon from World Models.

squeakalong

My Feedback: (8)

Come on guys...this poll is simply asking WHICH of the two poll options would you select and why or why not. I don't know how to say it any more simple than that.

Soft landings.

Joe

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Was my mama ticked off when she caught me with here good iron putting on the new stuff!!! I went right back to silk span after that, she could put up with the stink of dope but no one touched that iron!!
I try to use nothing except the Ultra in the plastic coverings. I haven't used enough of the C-21 to down talk it or sing it's praises except the fabric type.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

But Dave, he's talking about 21st Cebtury FILM, not 21st Cebtury Fabric

Personally, I've never noticed any wood grain showing through Ultracote except on some very light colors - and I seem to get that with ANY brand.

squeakalong

My Feedback: (8)

Gray Beard, I came down here this morning with a doozy of a headache...and I had to really laugh out loud when I read about using that iron on covering jobs . How well I remember trying to hang onto that big ole thing and cover a wing at the same time! And it wasn't my momma that didn't like her new iron having bits of color on the bottom either (don't ask me about having to replace a white blouse )...it was my new bride [X(]. I was happy to see the "made for covering irons come on the market", REAL happy. Thanks for making my day brighter, my friend!

Soft landings.

Joe

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Glad I made your day, it was the truth too. If you remember, when it first came out there wasn't a lot of info on how to put it on so we had to ask the LHS owner who also didn't have a clue, just BSed his way through the how to part. With Ma's iron you also tended to shrink it as you were tacking it down, what a mess. It just said to use an iron so that's what we did. There were some really nasty looking covering jobs out there for a long time. Glad things got better because I really enjoy covering these days.
Sorry I don't know much about the C21 covering, only used it for small stuff, I went from Mono to Ultra and have stuck with Ultra for years now, I still have some no name mystery covering in my shop and use it for trim.

squeakalong

My Feedback: (8)

Yea, I remember my first iron on film job was an orange wing and stab/elev on a Carl Goldberg Shoestring Stunter controline plane and the fuselage and fin rudder was painted lime green ! I don't know why !! Anyhow by the time I'd finished with this film covering I'd patched about three or four holes in the wing from "burnout". Best dang time I ever had with a control line plane 'cause I didn't have to worry about messing it up.... Just went out and flew the heck out of it and had a ball. Course back then money was a bit hard to come by so we used up every scrap we could get our hands on...we probably don't really want to recall some of the color schemes we ended up with. What fun!!

Soft landings.

Joe

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

FireBaby, no covering required!!!

squeakalong

My Feedback: (8)

Looks like Ultrcoat is the hands-down favorite. Thanks folks...I'm going to order some and give it a try. I appreciate the comments from those who cared enough to contribute.

Soft landings.

Joe

EscapeFlyer

My Feedback: (1)

Hey Joe-

I wish you the best. Let us know how it works for you.

If you're used to Monokote, make sure you turn the heat down on your iron.

sensei

OK, I don't care for either one of them, and why? They both bite in the overall finish. Just my opinion. JMO.

Bob

squeakalong

My Feedback: (8)

Well Bob...you certainly are entitled to that opinion of yours....thanks for sharing with us.

Soft landings.

Joe

Luftwaffe Oberst

I like Ultra for most projects and I've worked with Mono and Ultra in the past. If I want a flat finish I won't use either like someone else has already mentioned.

Pete

ArcticCatRider

My Feedback: (6)

Alright....well who's making Ultracote these days then??

Since Carl Goldberg is no longer Carl Goldberg....who's making it? Great Planes?

Does Ultracote have a "Lustrekote equivalent"?

dant-RCU

My Feedback: (3)

When I used film coverings I used both. I liked them both but in my opinion the Ultracote seemed
to be more resistant to "hangar rash". They are both easy to work with but I always thought that
the Ultracote had more stretch available when going around corners or compound curves. As I
remember, the Coverite was a tad lighter but I don't remember how much.

Given what I remember I would go with Ultracote if I were to use a film today.

My nickle on this subject.

Dan

edit: Added my choice