i will be doing my first covering job on my first kit, its an ultra sport 40 ... the scheme i chose is very basic, but im not sure how to go about it... should i cover the whole wing white then add the other colors.. or should i just do it by overlapping seams?

What are you using to cover with?? Monokote or Ultracoat?

I ask because your choices for covering this will depend on what you use if you use Monokote then we can use the Windex Method to lay down your trim colors. If you are using Ultracoat you can't use that method.

Ken</p>

ultra cote

I would do it by using separate pieces and overlapping seams. The white first, then the red with the black added last. If you put the white over the black, you'll see the black under the seam. The red under the white might look pink. Avoiding a double layer is lighter and lessens the chance of trying to workout bubbles.

Ok, you have two choices.

1) you can build the color scheme off of the plane and then move it to the wing to cover. To do this you'll need a sheet of glass or a mirror to build the pieces on. You can get a full length mirror at Wal-mart for about $15. Measure out your wing area and figure out how big you need your pieces. I would start with the black center section and move out. Take your next piece and lay it on the first piece with about a 1/4" overlap with the first piece. .Use a trim iron or the tip of your covering iron to seal down the overlap area of the two pieces. Continue building your piece until you have all the pieces ironed together. Now transfer to the wing and shrink in place as you normally would.

2). Lay down a base white coat on the wing and build up the trim pieces over it. Lay each trim piece in place and then carefully iron down. Start at the bottom of the wing and hold up the loose end of the trim piece, and slowly iron it in place. Do it this way to avoid any air bubbles. If any develop pull the piece back to release the trapped air and then re-iron it. I after the entire piece is applied you still have air bubble use the tip of your X-acto knife to pop the bubble and iron it out.

Of the two methods #1 is the best, but not the easiest. This is because you have to make sure EVERYTHING is straight as you are applying the covering on the wing. But this will result in a lighter covering layer. #2 is the easiest, especially for those getting started in covering. If you don't have lots of experience I would recommend #2

Ken

thanks for the suggestions Tom and Ken

Since they are straight lines, there is no airflow problems, so you can do it in any order

Here's how I would do it. Start with the white. Add the red wingtip next and finally add the black since that is the darkest and won't let the color underneath it show through

thats awesome Mike, thanks for that! i hope to start tomorrow....ill post pics if it comes out nice.... the fuse came out pretty decent for my first complete covering job....Doing lots of repairs and patch work has really helped me learn

It is my understanding that you can use Ultra-cote for the base and apply Mono-cote over it using the Windex method. The Ultra-cote application is much easier than a base of Mono-cote due to it's lower temp and increased ability to shrink.

Using the Windex method for trim is easy and looks great.

Yes, but in this case the colors are not really "Trim" that is being applied over another piece. I would use Ultracoat with about a 3/8" - 1/2" overlap

How to put monocote over fuel soaked balsa????

Nothing will stick to fuel-soaked balsa. You'll need to get at least most of the fuel out. You can do this with K2R spot remover, or a mixture of baking soda and alcohol. Several applications will be necessary.

K2R is impossible to find in my area. I was able to order 2 cans through WEST MARINE boat shop. They can order it for you and have it shipped to store, or you can order it on their website. Worked well when I used it. 1 can is more than plenty for 1+ planes.

:::UPDATE:::::: just maidened my my ultra sport today, everything went well.... just a couple of clicks of right aileron and maybe one of up elevator and thats it... flew like she was on rails with the ys45 and mini rossi "tuned"pipe

Looks like the field needs to be mowed. Ours looks like that sometimes and makes it hard to take off.

Really came out great!! The photos make it look huge too. A Question, did you cover the wing fillets or paint them?? I just started a covering job today, if anyone wants to see how I do the wing and aileron in one piece just ask, I will take photos.

Nice Job!

thank you!


no i covered them....it wasnt in one piece, it took two layers.....i dont have the skills to do it in one piece
its funny you mention that our field was flooded for 7 weeks hurrican alex screwed us over.....today was our first day back flying since july the 4th.... thanks to a dedicated few our field was brought back to flying conditions and will improve as it will be mowed on a more regular basis

take photos and post them here or a new thread....im open to learning more.....i want to build a kaos as my second kit...should be easier than the ultra sport

Do to out of town guests, A good thing!! It will be a few days more before I'm allowed out to my shop for my alone time. I will post a new thread just to show how easy it is. The Kaos and the US are almost the same plane and the Kaos kit is from Blue Jay. These are the same instructions as when Joe was still cutting the kits and there have been minor changes and shown on the plans, at least they are on the Dirty Birdy. A big warning, these old planes are not hard to build but the instructions are just written and there are none of those nice photos to help show you what they are talking about. Simple planes but they are still old school builders kits. The wood selection was still great, maybe a bit on the heavy side but these old planes were built to last for decades. I also did a cool trick in my wing with two LED landing lights and I want to post photos to show how simple that is too. These were installed because of the open area I fly on and there is a spot on approach that you loose sight of the plane. Just a simple trick and really cheap.