Monocote or ultracote?? (Full Version)

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heavythumbs -> Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 7:18:22 PM)

I am just about ready to cover my GP ultimate and am wondering which one to go with. I have used monocote on previous planes but havent tried ultracote before. Which one is better or easier to work with? It seems to me that ultracote has more color options. Thanks for any thoughts.
Heavythumbs



Sport_Pilot -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 7:31:11 PM)

Ultracote is easier to work with and is lighter. Monocote is thicker and a bit more durable.



Edwin -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 7:58:53 PM)

I thought it was the other way around, but it dont matter. Ultracoat. Once you use it you wont go back to moneykote.
Edwin



bhole74 -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 8:39:36 PM)

quote:

I thought it was the other way around, but it dont matter. Ultracoat. Once you use it you wont go back to moneykote.
...until you get a roll that wrinkles everytime the sun comes up. The blue Ultracoat I used on my Seniorita needs reshrunk every time I fly it and I must be very careful not to have the seams lift while doing it. It is much easier to apply than Monokote, so I would say it is a draw. Money wise they are about the same, avg. $11-12/ 6ft. roll, which Monokote is 3" wider (more covering). Monokote wins the color selection by a long shot.



spuck5644 -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 9:06:57 PM)

Both are excellent coverings. MonoCote is actually a bit lighter in weight, despite the "feel". UltraCote works at much lower temps so it is easier to apply. I much prefer Ultra, but Mono does win the "shine" competition by a mile. Both are very strong and durable. If you are happy with your application using MonoCote, You'll LOVE Ultra.
My .02 worth after covering over 100 planes. :-)



Mods-R-Me -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 9:21:01 PM)

I used exclusively monkote for years, until I tried ultracote. Now I use strictly ultracote. Mono goes over curves easier, but if you plan your covering process well; ultra is just as good IMHO.



MinnFlyer -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 9:45:07 PM)

I haven't met the curve that MK does better than UC.

Here are my obsevations:

MK has more colors.

UC is more durable (It's a bit more "Rubbery" and less prone to breaking, where MK is more brittle and will pop open easier)

Trim Solvent works on MK, but not on UC

I don't care what anybody says - BOTH COVERINGS WRINKLE - get used to it

If there's a difference in shine, I sure don't see it.

The next two are the BIG differences:

UC beats MK hands-down when it comes to applying it. It shrinks more and it stretches more.

MK's adhesive is more permanent than UC. This is a pro and a con for BOTH.

Example. If you iron down a wrinkle in MK, it will be there forever - unless you replace the covering - But removing MK can be a bear if it's been on for a while. In this situation, this is not good

With UC, you only have to add heat, and it will peel right off. In this situation, this IS good

But if you are trying to tighten an area near the edge of the covering by heating it, MK's adheasive will not allow the edge to be pulled in as easily as UC.

So you see how the different adhesives can be good or bad.

My preference is to use Ultracote because it is SOOO much easier. If I need to heat close to a seam, I just protect the seam with a wet paper towel.



50%plane -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 9:51:59 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Edwin

I thought it was the other way around, but it dont matter. Ultracoat. Once you use it you wont go back to moneykote.
Edwin

Really? MONOKOTE is WAY better than ultracroak.[:D] Here's the two most recent planes I've covered. The Kaos is all MONOKOTE and the Telemaster is all MONOKOTE except for the gold. When I was putting on the Ultracroak, it would distort on me. It lost most of it's ability to stick quickly, and it was just a major pain. It shrunk so much that I couldn't keep it's shape when spanning a hinge gap. There's NO way that Ultracroak is better.


Woops:)



MinnFlyer -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 9:59:23 PM)

woops, your name says is all.

Your iron was too hot.

UC uses a lower temp than MK



BBW Walt -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 11:10:29 PM)

They both are a PITA....



Test005 -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/14/2005 11:24:43 PM)

I like Ultracote, or "oracover" as it's named here in Europe.
I also tried Monocote, but as a beginner builder I just find Ultracote more forgiving and easier to apply...
The paperbacking is also good imo because it's good to draw patterns on and also it comes off very easy. The Monocote's plastic backing can sometimes be hard to peel off.

So far, I'm all Ultracote/Oracover :)



50%plane -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 1:00:35 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: MinnFlyer

woops, your name says is all.

Your iron was too hot.

UC uses a lower temp than MK

What temp do you use? With or without a sock?


Woops:)



BobbyGee -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 1:38:39 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: woops


What temp do you use? With or without a sock?


Woops:)



I've just done my first application of UltraCote and simply followed the instructions:

Apply to the frame at the 200 degree temp at which the adhesive activates. With a sock add 10 degrees.

I shrunk with the iron at the 300 degree temp. that shrinkage is supposed to begin. It shrunk as I moved the iron over it. With a sock, ditto, add 10-15 degrees.

Really an easy covering to apply. I bought a thermometer for the iron so as to be able to get accurate temp. readings. This stuff works as advertised. I've enjoyed the process of working with it.

Instructions also say that if it starts to sag, reshrink at a slightly higher temp. than before. This I won't know until the plane goes to the field.

Folks in the know say you do have to watch shrinking near seams because they can pull back. My covering scheme hasn't had me face that issue yet.

BobbyG




heavythumbs -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 1:58:44 AM)

Sounds like I will give that ultracote a try... to apply a stripe or one color over another can I use the windex method?



bhole74 -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 2:02:20 AM)

quote:

I don't care what anybody says - BOTH COVERINGS WRINKLE - get used to it

This is very true. However, in MY experiences, I have found Monokote wrinkles after a day in the sun, Ultracoat wrinkles just sitting in my hangar. I can iron it out every day (UC), sitting in a conditioned office, then have to do it again in the morning. BTW, there is more MK in a 6 ft. roll, another + for MK.



PilotFighter -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 3:16:58 AM)

It seems for the first few season changes, my models, (covered with Monokote) will need a little touch up ironing. But once the models are two or three years old, the coveing seems to stablize or something. Every now and then I will notice a few wrinkles and take out the iron. But for the most part Monokote is very stable.



blw -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 3:57:06 AM)

I've used both and prefer Ultracoat.

UC sags, but not as much as some are saying unless you leave it high temps, direct sunlight all day, the back of your car a couple of days, etc.

Monokote will shrink out the sags quicker with a heat gun. UC takes a little longer.

If you are worried about your ends curling or pulling, just lay a wet rag over them to protect from the heat. Works every time. Also, you can work UC with your fingers for quite a while after you remove the heat source.

I think that Monokote cuts better with a razor blade after it has been heated. UC seems softer.



rainedave -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 4:09:29 AM)

This may be getting off topic, but I will never use either one again. Ever. Not after having used Worldtex (Solartex) on my last two planes. You don't know what you're missing if you haven't tried it.



FlyerBry -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 5:34:57 AM)

I finally tried the free roll of AeroKote that I got a while back from Sig when it was first introduced. I have only used Monokote in the past and found it stretches better than Monokote and goes around curves very easily. I covered the fuse on a Lanier Shrike and the compound curved nose came out perfectly smooth with only a little heating with the iron. Monokote just doesn't seem to have much shrink to it in comparison.

I haven't covered the wing of the Shrike yet and I am considering trying Ultracoat to see how it compares.

AeroKote offers the advantage of coming in a roll even larger than Monokote. On planes (.40 size) I covered in the past it drove me crazy that the Monokote roll was often just small enough to require purchasing an additional roll. The larger roll could make a big difference; having to purchase additional rolls really adds to the cost of covering a plane - especially when using multiple colors.



Edwin -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 12:37:14 PM)

Yeah! I like solartex too, but it has to fit my application. And like was said, you'd be hard pressed to find a mylar covering that didnt wrinkle in the Texas summer sun. I find that ultracoat does it less and I can reshrink more times than with monokote.
Edwin



P47 Thunderbolt -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 12:53:32 PM)

I should know this, but who distributes Ultracote besides the LHS? Looking for someone on line and doesn't look like Tower carries it. I also couldn't find it on Horizon Hobby either.



bhole74 -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 2:59:54 PM)

http://www2.mailordercentral.com/quantummodels/products.asp?dept=152
quote:

This may be getting off topic, but I will never use either one again. Ever. Not after having used Worldtex (Solartex) on my last two planes. You don't know what you're missing if you haven't tried it.

Solartex is far superior, but I would hesitate to use it on a 40 sized 3D plane because of the weight. Other than that, definately.



MikeFreas -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 6:39:55 PM)

I think everyone forgets that they are covering a WOOD airframe that expands and contracts with temp and humidity changes. I wouldn't blame all wrinkles on the covering.



MikeFreas -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 6:44:31 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: P47 Thunderbolt

I should know this, but who distributes Ultracote besides the LHS? Looking for someone on line and doesn't look like Tower carries it. I also couldn't find it on Horizon Hobby either.


I'm also looking for a lead on the 10M rolls of the see through colors. I have been unable to find it.



skrez -> RE: Monocote or ultracote?? (12/15/2005 7:07:25 PM)

GO WITH THE ULTRACOTE, MUCH EASYER TO WORK WITH. I WILL NEVER COVER ANOTHER PLANE WITH MC.


best regards,
Frank



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