Lomcevak Duck

My Feedback: (14)

Because I've seen several threads by new flyers asking this question recently, we now have a poll so that they won't have to dig through several pages to find the general feeling of the group.

If you think of something else I should add, let me know.

Dr1Driver

Ultracote, for sure! In the fabric types, Solar/Colortex.

Dr.1

Deadeye

I have read many, many horror stories regarding Monokote on RCU. It's all I've ever used, and I've never had a problem getting it to do what I want. It just takes heat, and lots of it.

Campy

My Feedback: (1)

The problem with Monokote is that they have changed the formula/material they use. Monokote no longer shrinks properly (and in some cases hardly at all ) and with some colors the adhesive is worse than Coverite fabric.

The people at Monokote forgot one important thing.......If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

Dr1Driver

Campy is right. Monokote ain't what it used to be.

Dr.1

TexasAirBoss

My Feedback: (22)

I think my new favorite covering material is Sig Koverall and dope. My second favorite is Monokote.

cutaway

Silk and dope.

Safebet

My Feedback: (12)

Solartex, then UltraCote.

Lomcevak Duck

My Feedback: (14)

I really am surprised by the way this pole is turning out. I was predicting a close 49%-49% split between Monokote and Ultracote, then the other two choices might have shared the other 2%. Interesting to see these results.

John Sohm

My Feedback: (9)

I think you should add SolarTex/WorldTex, Koverall and Fiberglass & Resin to the list. It would more accurately reflect what the constituents actually use. I personally like fiberglass & resin the best followed by Koverall and then SolarTex. Koverall over SolarTex mainly for the slight weight savings since I use that mostly on older biplane types. And there's just no way you can beat glass and resin for durability and paint surface detailing.

Mode One

Silksun Coverite, oh, wait, that's no longer available! Why, I don't know, oh that's right we all fly ARFs now and nobody actually covers there own airplane, anymore. Super Coverite, to bad it's being fazed out! I know that I am absolutly wrong for liking Coverite, but your just going to have to humor someone who started building model airplanes in the 1950s and R/C in the late 1960s. Once Coverite has been fazed out, I will then have to go to Solar or World TEX! I guess if I'm covering a fun to fly airplane I would use Ultracote, as that's what the hobby shop has in town.

At this point in time there are 40 votes, If you think you can glean information from such a small turn out, you have more confidence then I.

Lomcevak Duck

My Feedback: (14)

Poll edited to include your preferences. Thanks for the input.

*JCB*

My Feedback: (9)

I have used monokote in the past and agree whole heartedly that it takes A TON of heat to get it to do what you want, and then it barely even does what you want. I recently switched to Ultracoat and found it to be A LOT easier to use. It stretches, shrinks and goes around compound curves WAY easier than monokote. The only bum think i have found about ultacoat is that the colors are not as opaque as i would like them to be...oh well

cutaway

[link=http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/cs/ceconite.html]The lightest grade of (uncert) Ceconite[/link] is like Coverite without the heat sensitive glue. You gotta stick it on with something like silk/dope, but it shrinks/shapes with heat just like Coverite. Cost is significantly cheaper than Coverite or Monocote -- ~$3/square yard. You get it in widths in the 70 inch range as well, which is something you can't get with anything like Coverite or Monocote.

sscherin

My Feedback: (1)

I"m in the "Other" group..

My covering of choice for now is Polyester Dress liner applied with Polycrylic, color coat of your choice and top coated with Water Based Exterior Urethane.

It's the low/no odor fabric system.

2nd choice is Monokote.. I have not yet tried Ultrakote.

dhal22

i find that the extremely light combination of .75 oz fiberglass cloth and water based polyurethane is well worth the trouble.

winglift

My Feedback: (10)

Nice covering jobs Deadeye. I was wondering how you do the multicolors such as on the wings? The only way that I could do that was to make hundreds of pin holes under the piece that I was applying to prevent bubbles. I tried doing it in pieces but had many problems when shrinking it.

Deadeye

Thanks, winglift

I use the 'windex method'. After base color, I wait a week and reshrink before I apply the multicolor. Cut your piece, spray with windex on the adhesive side, apply to plane and squeegee out the windex with a scrap pice of balsa. Do a search, there is a ton of info about using windex with Monokote.

Jim Messer

My Feedback: (2)

I cover all my planes with uncertified ceconite fabric obtained from Aircraft Spruce & Specialties. Heat shrink, three coats of nitrate dope thinned 50/50, and painted with latex paint, brushed on. There is no better way to cover. These are all giant scale airplanes made to last.

winglift

My Feedback: (10)

Thanks for the tip. I would never have figured that one out. Now I know.

Live Wire

Any thing that stay's PUT and does not blow off

bkdavy

My Feedback: (1)

I like Monokote for its strength. Yes its a little hard to work with, but it holds up well. My next choice is the Sig Aerokote. It shrinks VERY well, but it is less durable than Monokote. I really haven't had much chance to try Ultracoat, since my LHS doesn't sell it. I prefer to buy covering first hand, so I can really tell the color. I have seen two rolls of the same brand, same color that did not match.

Brad

scratchonly

Koverall held and filled with water polly, painted with latex house paint, clear coated with mineral varathane.

whatwind

My Feedback: (1)

I've just finnished a kit with monokote the last I built was two years ago. I had a bunch left over from then which went on eazy the new I bought felt heavier and fought me every inch.

Krener

Sig Aerokote for me!

This stuff sticks like **** to a blanket to balsa, bonds to itself REALLY well for laying up colours, and shrinks like a demon.

I tried Monokote, and even have a Pulse Xt 40 covered in Monokote, and it bites.

Gonna strip the Monokote off the Pulse when I get some more Aerokote, the Monokote justs keeps loosening up and is starting to really **** me off.

I've tried Profilm, and I like it for the most part, but the adhesive backing is a bit annoying when your laying it out.

Big thumbs up for the Sig stuff