What would be the best way to apply Top Flite trim which is adhesive backed such as:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHX89&P=7

Would the windex method work? I want to make sure I am able to line everything up correctly.

Some use Windex. I tried it once, but had better luck with that stuff for applying window tint at Wal Mart. I can't remember the name of it, but it was the only spray they had for putting it on. It didn't evaporate as fast, and the corners stuck better.

an artist told me to try a spray bottle filled with distilled (or drinking) water with one ounce of Dawn. spray the surface and then lay the trim in place..............for some reason i thought this was nutz, but after doing it and using a squeegee to push the liquid out and letting it dry, i was totally sold on the idea.
i had been told of this method years ago when guys first started using monkote trim, but had a mental block believing that the soap in the water would prevent the sticking of the adhesive.......boy was i wrong.
use to try sticking the trim down dry and then spend some hours popping the little bubbles out[:@].............the method above comes out perfect.

When done and all is dry seal the edges with clear finger nail polish.

Thanks Guys.

The Windex or soap/water ONLY works with Monokote. The adhesive is different in the other coverings (Ultracote, etc ) and the liquids will not activate the adhesive.

If you follow the link in the original post you will see that he is not talking about using rolled Monokote, but the small trim sheets. These are two different types of covering. I know because I just bought some to repair the wing on my plane. The stuff he is talking about is more like a sticker (self adhesive) than the iron on Monokote (requires heat or some form of activator like Windex). As a matter of fact if you look at the instructions it tells you not to use heat. The way I installed mine was to cut to shape, peel back some of the backing material exposing the adhesive. I placed the edge down where I wanted it, and slowly peeled away the remainder of the backing working out wrinkles and bubbles as I went. It wasn't perfect, but for my application it worked well enough. I do however think I am going to use the nail polish tip post above to ensure it doesn't come loose.

Hope this helps.

If it is self adhesive [ sticky back ] then use a spray of water with some washing up liquid in it.[ Normal washing up concentration. ] spray on both the model and the trim.

You can move it around and work out any wrinkles. Leave it for 24 - 48 hrs and it will be stuck for good.

Seal the edges with fuel proofer. TEST BEFORE ON A SCRAP PIECE.

I use soap and water to do window tint, it's about the same thing , aint it?