carsondoc

I'm about to start covering my first plane. Ultacote or Monocote?

Have heard Ultracote is a little easier to use. What's the consensus from experienced users? Thanks.

jaka

Hi!
After 32 years R/C flying the choice is easy!
Oracover!!!
(Well that's the real name, Ultracote to you americans though)

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

Asking this question is kind of like asking which is better, Ford or Chevy. Both Monokote and Ultracoat are good products, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both of them. And you are going to get answers both ways. I've used both products and they both give great results, but I prefer Monokote. Why?? Basically I would say that it's because what I learned first so that's what I prefer to use. For a beginner I would say that Ultracoat is probably a little more forgiving that Monokote is and may be easier for you to get started with.

Hope this helps

Ken

Campgems

Ultracote will take small corners better that Monocote. It also takes setting in a car with full sun for a few hours better than the Monocote. +

Ultracote will shrik, and shrink, and shrink. I've had it pull back so far when putting a second piece on that lapped the first that balsa was exposed. -

You can windex trim with Monocote +

More color choices with Monocote +

I haven't done a test to see which holds a bunch of broken balsa in the bag better, yet.~

I've still got 15 rolls of Monocote +++++++

Don

Not24

My Feedback: (1)

I'm never using monokote again. I just finished a plane with towerkote, and I love the stuff. My first choice is towerkote, then ultrakote, and lastly monokote.

Alex7403

Not24, please tell us the secret of using towerkote, you are the first who i read that is not cursing it.

my vote is for monokote because its what i used first and loved the result.

fozjared

never actually covered with ultra but have covered and patched with mono and know that i have a hard time getting it to stay on, it tends to fall off (patches anyway) when they get hit with a little fuel, mono also is hard to get to go around corners and edges without wrinkling up and looking kinda bad, it just doesnt want to stay put... but it is strong.. much stronger than ultra, i once put my finger through ultra just picking up a plane, i reached under the wings to pick it up and my finger just tore right through the ultra on the underside of the wing, so it is hard for me to say..

dhal22

i recommend .75 oz fiberglass cloth applied with water based polyurethane, followed by sandable primer paint and bondo spot putty for any low spots. wet sand to a glass finish, paint and seal against nitro fuel. no matter what the monocote proponents say this is a extremely light way to finish a plane and looks a whole lot better. holds up great to hanger rash, too.

Jester241

Ultra.....especially if its your first job. It works much better on contours and the heat gun takes out almost all blemishes on ultra. Mono is fine if ultra doesnt provide your color or your doing flat surfaces. You can work with mono,it just takes more skill.


Tip#1: Use VERY sharp brand new razor blades for trimming your excess covering.
Tip#2: Dont try to "iron" out wrinkles and blemishing too much/will crease the film......Heat gun 'em!

Jon.

FORD!!!!!

dhal22

CHEVY!!!!

BillyGoat

Well I’m a Chevy fan driving a Ford.

As for the coverings… As it’s been said, each one has its advantages and disadvantages. I know guys that are complete Monokote fans and others that are Ultracote or nothing users.

I started out with Monokote many moons ago and prefer to use it. It’s not as forgiving as Ultracote, however in my experinece edges are less likely to lift and its less prone to developing wrinkles. Those features are more important to me.

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

Dodge

I use em all. Shoot even the Toughalon from World Models. I choose my covering by the color I want. All my coverings last just as long as the airplanes in them.[X(]

Lomcevak Duck

My Feedback: (14)

Mopar


...and monokote.

dr_wogz

My Feedback: (3)

Toyota / Mazda, and Ultracote...

Monocote = Chrysler...

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

First -Timer?

Ultracote

djsdog

Dumb question,

Can you use monocote for wings for strength and ultracote for tail feathers and such? Can one be applied over the other such as laps and repairs?

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

While both coverings will offer SOME extra strength, I wouldn't rely on either of them for that.

You seem to be under the delusion that MK is stronger than UC when, in fact, it is probably more brittle

spiral_72

He should have started a poll for this question. That'd be interesting...


By the way, I started and learned with Monocote. I tried Ultracote and will never go back to the Monocote.[:'(]

Oh, and Dodge/Chrysler

dhal22

you'll never touch a glassed and painted plane with a monocoted one.

thewrap

Ultracoat. I think it's easier to work with. Applies a little bit better.

RCPilot100

My Feedback: (4)

Monokote is my favorite plastic covering. Balsa USAs fabric is my top fabric choice. I have used pretty much all of them and can get the best looking most durable covering with Monokote. I also have a 1/3 Spacewalker that is 15 years old - still looks pretty good - covered with SIG Koverall and finished with dope.

About 5 years ago I built two identical 4 Star 60s. Someone asked which is better - so I covered one in Monokote & one in Ultrakote so I could compare. Hands down I liked the Monokote better - easier to work with - shrunk better - looked better. Now 5 years later, the one with Monokote looks much better. The Ultracote has sags in it that I have tried to reshrink - loose edges - and a dull finish compared to when it was new. The Monokote still shines and it looks as good as it did 5 years ago.

Dan

GmanBill

My Feedback: (10)

Chevy, towing a Ford with a broken down Doged (Dodge) on the trailer.

Ultracote if it is your first time, I do all mine in it, and I do giant scale planes. Big wings, a lot of surface area to cover. I do complex lay overs and covering for people, I also do vinyl graphics and do cuts on my vinyl cutter for custom jobs, and ultracote is the best I have used.

DaveInLA

Okay, from what I've read here, Ultracote is easier to use.
But how do they differ in appearance and durability? Does one tear easier than the other?

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

You bring up a good point Dave.

I have found that MK is more brittle, especially when the weather is cold. One small bump and MK will crack, split or poke through.

UC has more of a "rubbery" feel to it. Even in the dead of Minnesota winters I have bumped it against sharp objects (Control Horn sharp, not Exacto Blade sharp) and only got a dimple that could easily be heat-shrunk out.