Is it possible to use vinyl for covering, like they make signs with? And would it be best to cover it with the monokote first then the vinyl first?

Monokote is vinyl
But you are referring to the thicker vacuum formed vinyl

In past years there have been ARF planes with vinyl construction. The vinyl was both the the structural and finish medium

The vinyl that is used for making signs is much heavier than Monokote/Ultracote. Also, the shrink covering of Monokote/Ultracoat actually adds to the strength of the airframe. The sticky backed vinyl used for making signs will not add that strength to the airframe.

However, vinyl for signs can be used for graphics on an already covered plane. These would be applied over the covering.

Ken

Monokote is Mylar

Mylar is a brand name of polyester film

So if I did the whole kit in black monokote, I could then do a printed vinyl scheme over it.

Would it add to much weight?

Is there a way to get a top, side, bottom, pdf of a kit to use as an outline for the design??

It would depend on how much you wanted to apply to it. Vinyl is not fuel proof. Fuel and exhaust residue from a glow engine will seep under the vinyl and cause the vinyl to lift back off. Small grahics can be sealed to prevent this. But if you are talking about a large area then you're just going to add even more weight with the sealant. If you have a large area that you need grahics for you should consider using Monokote/Ultracoat. If you have specific grahics or designs that need to be cut you can take it to a sign cutter and have them use a vinyl cutter to cut those designs. A vinyl cutter does an excellent job of cutting the covering.

What plane are you looking for the outline of??

Ken

Many people get graphics cut at sign shops to apply to their airplanes

Try this site

http://www.badbradgraphics.com/index.html

I can do the vinyl myself, I did graphic design for a sign shop for 5 years. I can go down there and cut vinyl if I need, but I was thinking more like a full digitally printed cover. Think vehicle wrap! But just for consideration, what would I use to seal individual graphics?

For smaller graphics using vinyl I seal them with clean fingernail polish. But if you are going to do a larger design that is going to add a lot of weight to the plane. I have seen larger planes use the printed shrink wrap so you would be ok there. However, those are applied over the primary covering and not used as the covering. Also, larger planes normally use gas engines that don't have the exhaust residue that glow engines do, so I don't know how the shrink is affected. If you have access to a vinyl cutter you can do quite a bit with monokote. These graphics on my Slow Poke are all Monokote and they were cut with a vinyl cutter, including the checkerboard on the tail feathers. By using monokote I'm assured that they graphics are fuel proof.

Ken

Does the monokote come with a paper backing??? and do they make a printable monokote or other covering?



One more thing, How many layers of monokote could you safely apply?

No, Monokote has a vinyl plastic backing, although Ultracoat does have a paper backing on it. To run it through a vinyl cutter simply turn it over and place a layer of transfer tape to the bottom of the monokote. This makes it stiff enough to feed through the vinyl cutter. And no, they do not make a printable monokote.

Ken

Thats a good idea about the transfer tape on the bottom before you cut it.

What about having a template to make a layout from? Can you download a pdf or image file of the finished kit?

It depends on the kit. Some are available and some aren't as easy to get ahold of. Some companies like Great Planes usually put a 3-view of thier planes in the instructions for each kit, which are available online. Some companies like Sig are a bit harder to get ahold of. I have a lot of outlines that I've collected over the years. Let me know what you're looking for and I'll see if I have it.

Ken

This is the company that makes the Monokote for Hobbico/Topflite. They make a broad rage of coverings

http://www.generalformulations.com/

Dang it, I seem to learn something new every day........ whether I want to or not!!!! [:@]

Thanks Jim. I did not know this piece of info.

Ken

Do you have the LT-40?

Sweet, I'll check them out. Looks like they make all kinds of vinyls and coverings.

This is Oracover's web site and they make the Ultracote for Horizon Hobby

http://buegelfolie.de/home.jsp?root_...91153607563158

I have a LT40 ARF

When laying out your work, you need a flat copy of the curved surfaces. IE if you take a top view and use is to lay out the pattern on a wing, the pattern will come up short in the cord. How much depends on the airfoil. For the fuselage, it is quite a problem trying to make a pattern from a side view. The best bet is to use a drawing / CAD program that lets you make a "sheet" of the curved surface. You can then put your pattern on the sheet, then when the sheet is curved around the wing or fuselage, the ends of the pattern end up where you wanted them. Another lower tech was would be to use butchers paper and cover the model with it, taping pieces down as you go with blue masking tape, Then tape all the seams and lift the paper off. This is your "Sheet' to lay out the pattern.

Don

Use seran (sp?) wrap,

Draw the pattern with a sharpie.

Flatten and scan.

Thats what I use to make patterns for cutting vinyl for heli canopies.

This is your transfer medium

http://www.glad.com/plasticwrap/pressnseal.php