When I get ready to cover my plane and you had a choice between Monokote or Ultracote which one would you use and why?
wattmeter

I think that depends on if you are going to use a lot of trim. Like a starburst for example. If so then use Monokote because you can use the windex method of applying the trim (will not work with Ultracote). If you are not planning on using much trim then go with the Ultracote as it is easier to stretch around curves and shrinks better. Just my 2c

I prefer Ultracoat myself. It is easier to apply and once it is shrunk, it does not loosen up again. Good Luck, Dave

So does that mean if I use Ultracote I will not be able to use any trim on it?[]

No, it doesn't mean that at all. It just means that you will have to iron on the trim. You will not be able to use the windex method as the adhesive is different on the ultracote and the windex does not activate it.

here is a picture of the windex method on my Cub

I have read that you can use monokote trim with the windex method over Ultrakote, so you get the advantages of both.

that may be so, I have not tried that.

do you remember where you read that?
Bill

In general, Ultracote is much more user-friendly. It's only two shortcomings are that it doesn't have the color selection that MonoKote has, and it will not work using the Windex method or any of the other solvents.

I often use Ultracote to do 90% of the covering and then I trim with MonoKote.

But If I were doing just a simple two or three color design, I would use Ultracote.

there is no reason you can't use the windex method when appling Monokote over Ultracoat....after all you can iron Monokote on Ultracoat...all the windex does as goirish said is start to activate the glue.....I like Monokote better...as you can use a higher temp, without worring that the covering will shrink too much..
Good flyin

I don't like the paper backing on Ultracote as well as the clear plastic backing on Monokote. In a lot of cases, the paper backing on Ultracote is already loose when you unroll it, making it a bit more difficult to handle. Ultracote also has an annoying habit of blossoming like a flat coil spring unwinding when you first open the roll, and it continues to do it every time you try to use it, making it a bit more difficult to manage than Monokote. However, it is user friendly when applying, more so than Monokote. I guess it simply becomes personal preference.

What I like about the paper backing is that you can draw your designs on it [sm=thumbup.gif]

That is the answer in a nutshell. I've only used Ultra and I like it fine. My broither has only used Mono and likes it fine.

I recently covered my first kit. I tried the monokote first. It was craptastic at best. So I enlisted some help and the first thing I was told to do was order some ultra.

If you have not done a lot of covering I would go with the ultra, once mono was heated in my experience, the wrinkles were there forever.

The mono had much better colors, and seemed like it was stronger once heated I do not really know. However the colors were brighter, and where I had it on smooth it had more shine then ultra.

The ultra however was much much more forgiving for me. It shrinks a lot of your mistakes right out, and bubbles heated and popped with a straight pin were invisible a second later.

Just my opinion.

The yellow Tiger 2 is the ultra covered plane, the trim is just soapy water decals.



(edit) My wife Rocks this is my side of our bedroom!!!!

i prefer monokote,

more colors selection, solvents working well with it, some matching spray paints, i just got used to work with it, colors are better and brighter, cheaper.

what i dont like in monokote is that if you need just one roll you are gonna pay full $9.99 for S&H from tower...

Well are the two covers that has been talked about the only type of covering on the market? That a bummer for the cost of s&h for 1 roll.
Bill

these are not the only covering on the market just the best two, the final choice is between them.
and to avoid the extra S&H i'm "stocking" covering for repairs for fixes after a non %100 successful day of flying.

Personally I do the wing tips red, white stripe, insignia blue and the nose yellow.
What I learned is that you see best the contrast between colors like stripes of dark and bright colors.

If you do it one color or say orange and yellow it will be hard to tell the direction in which the airplane is flying…
Bottom of the wing should be dark with bright stripes!

Alex

I do not know anything about it but here is a cheaper covering to look into.. Here you have econokote and towerkote I have a strange feeling they are exactly the same product.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=QAATOP&P=7&S= likely this is the "quality heat shrink" mystery wrap your less expensive ARF is covered with.

Just guessing..........................

If you use the search at tower, key oracover (another name for ultra I have been told.) you get econokote. I do not know if that means anything or not. Just something I noticed.

DONT GET TOWERKOTE OR ECONOKOTE, not for two stroke application at least.
it doesnt stick not even to itself.
econokote is to cover over foam, its low heat.

See I learned something today. [8D]

Hi guys
i m from Pakistan and i m building my own rc plane at home i join this forum a few days later I complete my fuselage and wings now i m going to install engine and other electronic parts and i want to use second hand parts.Do you guys help me to buy proper size of engine,servo and electronics if i send pictures and information about the size and type of the plain i m building

waiting for your reply

hope you guys help me .My email adress is:[email protected]

In a nutshell... (my opnion).. ultracote is much much easier to put on... it's thinner so it covers compound curves easier and much easer to get a wrinkle free finsih as it shrinks better too... however i noticed it needs to be reshrunk quickly (minor tightening needed) with a heat gun every month or so... it's a chore im willing to put up with. strength is = to monokote.

How about coverite film?looks like there are two differnt grades,about the same in price as ultra and mono.