HELP! How to keep trim down!!
 

Almost lost my 72" CMP Extra ARF today when one of the long trim pieced on the left wing lifted up in the front but not the back creating a huge airbrake on one wing. It lifted about a 18" length and was fluttering and really pulling the plane. Everyone thought a control surface had broke and was flapping. Made it in with a lot of rudder and shaking knees. :^) SO.... This is actually the second time this has happened as before it was the other wing and the trim at the tip had come off which just made a little noise but was still controllable. Keep in mind this plane is only on its 8th flight. Last time I resealed it with the iron and went over all the trim but it looks like this cheap covering is going to continue to give me problems. Here is a link to the plane to get an idea what I am going to have to work on:

http://www.giantscaleplanes.com/Extr...xtra300_72.htm

So far I know I will have to reseal the trim but the next question is should I use a large piece of clear monocote and just go over both wing tops? Or should I spray clear coat over the entire top of the wing? Not sure what is the best fix for this. I don't have a air brush setup and I am not a fantastic painter so I need a "for dummies" solution. Ya know like "how do I know when I have an adequate amount of clear coat for the first coat when the darn stuff is clear?" :D All help is much appreciated.

RE: HELP! How to keep trim down!!
 

G'Day Spyder,

You will get lots of ideas to keep trim sealed. I have found that if you clean thoroughly and reseal first that clear nail polish works very well if used along the leading edge of trim pieces and is nearly impossible to see.

Other options I have tried with varying success are thin CA (this eats the covering on some ARFs), acetone, dope, clear mono etc, etc.

Good Luck,

Colin

RE: HELP! How to keep trim down!!
 

I did read some posts on thin ca. I don't understand that one at all because I have accidentally had thin ca run out on my monokote before and it dribbles down and looks like crap. Nothing bugs me more than taking the time to build a "pretty" plane only to have this happen. Must be a trick I don't know about. I will try the nail polish as I have a wife that can get it without me getting embarassing looks from the counter clerk. :^)

RE: HELP! How to keep trim down!!
 

Build kits and cover yourself with all the seams facing rearwards. ;)

O.K., I'm just being a S.A. I use clear nail varnish on the "pointy" bits, and just iron all the other edges down BEFORE first flights - very hard to iron down fuel-soaked film, and cleaners may remove the adhesive - catch 22.

Good luck,

Cam