Hi Guys
My next plane is likely to be in the 70 to 80 inch wingspan size.
I have heard that some people are covering the hinge line on the control surfaces, how exactly is this done, can someone post some diagrams or photo's ?
Is it done for all control surfaces ?
Does it split or lift after time?
Will it restrict the movement of the control surfaces?
Your help would be most appreciated.

Thanks
Don

Covering the hinge line is not a "Must Do" thing. I used to do it on ALL of my planes. Now I rarely do it.

It is most helpful if you have a large gap between the control surface and the Wing, Stab, or Fin.

All you have to do is to put a strip of covering or tape down inside the "V" (or bevel) so it will seal the gap, but still allow full movement of the surface.

Start by deflecting the surface as far as it will go, then add the covering or tape to the open side of the hinge line. Be sure to get it as deep as you can to avoid hindering the movement.

Thanks for that MinnFlyer.
I was thinking it meant covering across the gap, not in the gap as you show[X(]

If you don't lay it down in the gap as Mike showed you it will hinder the movement of the control surface & that is exactly what you don't want!!

Many 3D Foamy planes are hinged this way. Instead of using hinges the kit comes with clear "hinging tape" so that you are hinging & sealing the surface all in one step.

I haven't been bothering to seal my hinge surfaces either. I was going to until I realized that I get all the response I need just the way they are with allmost zero gap to speak of, just enough to allow full deflection. I suppose if I ever became a good enough RC pilot that I was setting up a real serious 3D plane I would go ahead & do it but for the kind of flying that I am capable of, (just sport flying around for fun) my planes don't really need it.

Do a careful job hinging your surfaces and you should be fine without it.

Thanks for the advice on this, it looks quite a tricky job so unless I get into serious 3d I probably won't need to do it!

Actually, it's a dead simple, very easy job. IF YOU DO IT THE DEAD SIMPLE, EASY WAY.....

If you don't use a trim iron, it's a pain. Like trying to stuff your overweight Aunt through the back door of your sports sedan.

If you cut out long, slightly too wide, strips of covering and then crease that strip down the center, it fits down into the gap nicely. Don't crease it and it's like trying to..... it ain't easy at all. Crease it, and it's so easy you'll wonder why you thought it wouldn't be.

And after it's ironed into the gap, it's "overwideness" will be sticking out. Use a razor blade to trim the "flashing" off. That's also dead easy to do.

OK.... to sum up:
trim iron
crease it
razor blade