Will Monokote stick to painted plastic?
 

I am restoring an old Jemco FW-190 that a friend gave to me, and about half of the top of the fuselage is made of plastic parts blended into the balsa sheeting. I sanded and repainted the plastic, but I have never tried to iron Monokote onto plastic. It only needs to overlap the plastic by about 1/4 inch, but I am wondering if it will stick? I also worry about the plastic or the paint melting under my iron.

RE: Will Monokote stick to painted plastic?
 

The plastic and paint melting is more of a concern than if the Monokote will stick. Monokote will stick to nearly anything that isn't greasy.

The only reason Monokote has problems sticking to epoxy is... the epoxy tends to leave a waxy film on its surface when it cures. Clean it up and the monokote sticks just fine.

If the plastic and paint can tollerate it... don't iron the monokote to it along that 1/4 inch overlap... seal the edge with Monokote trim solvent then brush clear Lustercoat over the edge. (test for solvent interaction with the paint and plastic...)

If all else fails... get 1/4 inch striping tape and put 1/2 on the Monokote and 1/2 on the painted plastic and don't lap the monokote onto the plastic at all.

RE: Will Monokote stick to painted plastic?
 

Well, I tested the Monokote trim solvent on a piece of Lustrecoat-painted scrap and it melts the paint. So, I guess that idea's out. I guess I will keep the overlap down to about 1/8 inch and just be careful. We'll see how it works out...

RE: Will Monokote stick to painted plastic?
 

I trimmed a canopy with monokote. I did it on high heat too. Just keep the iron flat and moving, and you'll have good bubble free results. ;)

RE: Will Monokote stick to painted plastic?
 

Well, I've found that it can be done. I used my trim iron and kept it moving constantly along the edge of the covering. The smaller 'shoe' on the trim iron keeps the heat from building up too much. I think I will brush a little paint on the joint just to make sure it stays down.

Actually, now that I think about it, it probably would have been better to iron on the Monokote and then paint the plastic. That way I wouldn't need to worry about melting the paint and having it stick and burn on my iron.

Oh, well, live and learn...:eek: