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Old 05-11-2003 | 02:45 AM
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Default bubbles?

I got these bubbles on the skin of my new airplane. I realy dont care their there but will the mess up the aerodynamics or handling

Old 05-11-2003 | 02:47 AM
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Old 05-11-2003 | 02:49 AM
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Default bubbles?

the bubbles will not hurt anything. When the plane is flying, it will look good. You can try to iron them out but they will probably come back.
Old 05-11-2003 | 02:50 AM
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Default bubbles?

There mostly on the back up and down thingy and some on the wing. But mostly on the elevation thing.

Old 05-11-2003 | 02:52 AM
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Default bubbles?

Old 05-11-2003 | 02:54 AM
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Old 05-11-2003 | 02:56 AM
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Old 05-11-2003 | 02:58 AM
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Old 05-11-2003 | 02:58 AM
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Default bubbles?

Use a iron with a heat sock , That will shrink then out. can use heat gun but be carefull can blow holes in covering or cause it to pull away at seams. Try to find cool place to work , covering will shrink faster and tighter.
Old 05-11-2003 | 03:02 AM
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Default bubbles?

Last one. Sorry how big they are. I dont have one of those iron things and just got this. Should i take it to my local hobby shop. Its only like 2-3 miles away so thats not a issue. And i just spent $450 so they better give me some help. So i'll just do that.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/gallery/da...bbles8-med.jpg
Old 05-11-2003 | 03:24 AM
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Default bubbles?

You can use a regular clothes iron, but it may be too bulky to get into tight places. Set the temperature low and progressively get it hotter until you can see the covering material respond to the heat. you should see it getting tighter after you rub the iron on it and then let it cool a few seconds. Put the iron in one hand and follow the iron with your other hand pressing with a rag. the pressure will help to stick the covering onto solid areas. Over open areas, just use the iron and press lightly enough to apply the heat to the film.
If it is any consolation, most pre-built airplanes come with some wrinkles or bubbles.
Old 05-11-2003 | 03:52 AM
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Default bubbles?

That sounds hard. Im just going to bring it into the store. If they mess it up its there falt.
Old 05-11-2003 | 11:43 AM
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Default bubbles?

If you don't want to try, leave it as is. It will NOT affect flight characteristics. I doubt that the hobby shop will know how or want to fix it. (Unless you happen to have a hobby shop that very unusual.)

Do you have a local club, an instructor to help you learn to fly this?
Dennis-
Old 05-11-2003 | 08:14 PM
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Default bubbles?

Yes i do Dennis. Im going to contact him tommorow. Im joining a field and if your a member instruction is free. I wouldn't fly it without a instructor.
Old 05-11-2003 | 09:30 PM
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Default bubbles?

Very wise, impulse! Welcome aboard!

The bubbles (wrinkles) won't really hurt anything. You will end up with a person or people that will be happy to show you how to re-shrink the covering. Very common and nothing to be concerned with.
Old 05-11-2003 | 10:54 PM
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Default bubbles?

Looks like I have the same model trainer as you (although it looks like you got the RTF; I have the ARF). Anyway, I used my wifes hair dryer and iron to work out the wrinkles. I ended up having to use a t-pin to poke a small hole on the covering to let the air escape. I then put a drop of CA over the hole to keep fuel out.

Just a side note; a guy at my club was flying the RTF version. He entered a bank (about 45 degrees) and his wings folded. Make sure you use plenty of epoxy in the wing joint. If there is any gap, fill it with CA. He lost his plane and motor (don't know about the RX and servos) because he only applied epoxy to about half the wing joint.
Old 05-11-2003 | 11:10 PM
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Default bubbles?

Heck, that's nothing. You'll get worse after its in the sun for a while. Invest the $20 and get an iron and heat gun from tower, and you can keep it wrinkle free forever. Unless it crashed of course!
Old 05-12-2003 | 12:23 AM
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Default bubbles?

Some arfs use a type of film which does not shrink with heat, in fact the wrinkles get worse. I think its some sort of cheap vinyl covering. If the covering is the heat shrinkable type, then you can use a hairdryer, just gently heat over the affected area, let it cool and you're done. Just a note, a plane with a rougher finish seem to fly better than a smooth finish, ask the pattern guys. CPLR used brown paper on one of his pattern planes. So, don't worry too much about it unless the covering or trimming are peeling out !
Old 03-26-2005 | 11:36 PM
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Default RE: bubbles?

Try using a new needle, not a pin, and poke a hole in the bubbles. This gives the trapped air an escape route. Use your sealing iron to shrink the film in the bubbled area and the film will flatten out. From a normal viewing distance the needle holes will not be visible. Some ARF's that I have seen look like pin cushions.

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