satinet

Hiya,

Does anyone know of a good guide for using heat shrink covering materials??

I think the instructions that come with the rolls of films are really appalling. e.g solarfilm in the uk haven't updated their 2 PAGE instruction guide for at least 15 years. Even there website has nothing. The instructions explain how to cover large areas like wings (which is really easy anyway), but gloss over how to cover hard bits like nose cones and wing tips..... the same with lightex etc etc

Why dont these company's provide more help... surely it's in their interests.....

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

RCU member MinnFlyer has done some great how-to articles and videos on covering. check them out as they will go a long way to getting you started.
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=67]Minnflyer Covering how-to[/link]
[link=http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazine/reviews/352/cov1.wmv]Minnflyer Covering video, part 1[/link]
[link=http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazine/reviews/352/cov2.wmv]Minnflyer Covering video. part 2[/link]
[link=http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazine/reviews/352/cov3.wmv]Minnflyer Covering video, part 3[/link]

newest covering videos
[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=726[/link]

Ken

satinet

thanks, that's very helpful.

Do you know of a guide to cover nose cones though? I am into building non powered gliders and I'm worried about covering the nose cone...........????

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

If you look at the last link Ken posted, there is a video showing how to do a rounded wingtip. The exact same technique would be used for doing the nose of a non-powered glider

satinet

okay, but would you do the cone after the fuse, so that the film doesn't overlap in a bad way? (more streamlined?) I am thinking that there will be a ridge all round the cone.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Yes, always (When possible) work from back to front to keep the seams out of the airstream - So the nose would be done last.

satinet

ok. i'm begining to feel more confident.

my worry is also that this is a small and delicate model. (a West Wings Orion - http://www.westwings.co.uk/orion.htm ). the wings twist pretty easily, so i am fairly nervous!

will let you know how i get on.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

You may find that on delicate models, the covering will warp the wings, but fear not!

Just twist the wings back into position, and hit the covering with the heat gun and you can essentially "Warp it back"