Magical_Merlin

How is this stuff applied? I hear everyone say they heat it to shrink it. But does it have glue on the back also?

Missileman

It has heat activated glue.
Peel off the clear backing and use a sealing iron to attach the covering to the wood (make sure wood is clean) and shrink with a heat gun.
Sealing iron:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXL499&P=7
Heat Gun:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXJD39&P=ML

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

RCU member MinnFlyer has done some great how-to articles and videos on covering. check them out as they will go a long way to getting you started.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=67] Minnflyer Covering how-to [/link]
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=726] Minnflyer, Another Look at Covering[/link]

bruce88123

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...?article_id=67
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=726
and while we are at it
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...?article_id=55

Aw shucks, Ken beat me to it.[&o]

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

neener neener neeeeeeeener!!!!!!!!

Ken

Magical_Merlin

When people make designs on their planes, do they just put one color over the next and apply it the same?

bruce88123

Look at the videos. But yes, that is one (1) way.

Missileman

There was a thread somewhere with details about a method of adding trim called "the Windex Method"
Anyone know where that thread is?
Anyway, Monokote is notorious for outgassing when heated. Over balsa it is not too bad because the wood can absorb some of the gasses but when putting additional coats of monokote over existing monokote it can be difficult to avoid bubbling.
Windex is another way of activating the glue on monokote.
Basically when adding trim you spray the area with windex, position the monokote and squegee out any extra liquid and bubbles with something soft like a scrap piece of balsa.

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

If you read my LT-40 Build thread, I talk a lot about covering in it as well.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3439708/tm.htm]Pay It Forward build thread!! LT-40 build.[/link]

Ken

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_603331/anchors_603331/mpage_1/key_flag/anchor/tm.htm#603331] Applying monokote graphics with windex. [/link]

Missileman

Thats the one, I have a kit nearly ready to cover. I think I will give that flag motif a try

OzMo

My Feedback: (3)

SECOND CHILDHOOD .....fun huh

Jester241

Oh yeah!!!! A guys first monokoting experience! Boy do I remember that. Its now 1:30 in the morning and I just got in from my office(plane building room) after about 7 hours of monokoting and other odds and ends. I spent much of the time putting black and white invasion stripes on my mustang over its silver ultracoted wings. Its looks awesome,but you cant help but get tiny bubbles on it,particularly on large surfaces like that. Merlin,if you've never covered a plane with mono,get ready for quite an experience! I've been saying alot lately....."covering planes is just as hard and takes ever bit as much skill to do as actually flying".....maybe more! That is if you want it to look nice. It takes alot of practice. I myself am starting to master the proper use of a heat gun! I think its gonna be my new best friend.

I'll give you another tip of good advice.........USE ULTRACOTE instead of monokote. Monokote pretty much sucks,although it does come in handy here and there if you know how to use it. Ultra is much more forgiving and it shrinks ALOT better then mono. And it doesnt tend to blister and bubble NEAR as bad. Wrinkles are also a nightmare with mono and are hard to get out. Bubbles and wrinkles are a piece of cake to get out with a heat gun with ultracote. Just be careful as it tends to shrink a bit too much around the edges if you heat gun it too much.

Covering is actually kind of fun once you start getting good at it. You'll be surprised on about your 3rd plane covering job at just how much you DIDNT know about it during your first project.

Let us know how you make out!

Heres what I did tonight.....Dont mind the messy room and the taped on decal(for photo purposes!

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

My wife says I'm going through a second childhood

I told her, "Oh boy, I can't wait till puberty hits again!"

BTW, the videos show the windex method too

ELTIGRE

actually there are BETTER coverings than monokote out there -Ora cover or ultra cote for example.