Last night I finished covering my sixth airplane using Koverall (a Hog Bipe). Each time I learn something new. I won’t rehash all that’s been said before, but will add some hints that I’ve found that may make the job easier.

If you don’t have a well-ventilated workplace, by all means stick to the pre-finished, iron-on coverings. I don’t believe occasional exposure to dope fumes and solvents are harmful (if they were, by now I would either be dead or seriously ill) but they can certainly be annoying to family and neighbors.

1. Use a fabric cement made for full-scale aircraft to attach the Koverall to the structure. I used Stix-It and Balsaloc for my first two airplanes. While they work, fraying is a constant irritation and trimming is a hassle. If you use fabric cement for attaching the fabric, trimming is simple. The cement bonds the fibers together and the edges can be trimmed with a razor blade without fraying. (I use Fab-Tac. Some other brands are Rand-O-Bond, and Sure Seam, all available from Aircraft Spruce & Speciality Co.) If you use nitrate dope, be sure to use the dope sold for full-scale applications right from the can. The clear dope packaged for models is already thinned for brushing and will not be very effective.

2. Get a good quality, sharp pair of pinking shears. This was an expense I put off until my third airplane but Koverall tends to fray badly and pinked edges make neat overlapped joints and cuts down on fraying generally. (a cheap pair will be worse than having none)

3. Use an applicator bottle to apply the adhesive rather than a brush. I used a hair dye bottle from a beauty supply shop to apply the cement and it makes it easier to get the stuff where you want it with a minimum of mess.

4. Have a supply of acetone on hand to clean fingers. Covering with fabric cement is inherently messy.

5. Have a supply of single edge razor blades on hand. Koverall is tough and dulls the blades fast.

Covering with Koverall and dope is certainly more trouble than other coverings. However the end result is an extremely tough and durable, light weight covering that stays taut in all conditions and looks good. To me it is worth it.