Tricks/Tips for Covering Filets
 

Anybody have any tips for helping us cover the filet between the horizontal stab and the fuselage? It's been a pretty difficult area for us to cover so far.

We have been having pretty good success going around the curves on the ends of the horizontal stab, but that filet area is a @&%$#![:@]

RE: Tricks/Tips for Covering Filets
 

On inside corners like that, it is often easier to put down a strip in the corner--just about an inch wide or so. Then, cover the horizontal and vertical stabs up to (and overlap a little) the strip in the corner. This is just about the easiest way to do any inside corner. Also, if you are bound and determined to do it all with one piece of covering, you cand use a small trim iron, and get the heat down into the corner. Then, chase the iron with a cool, damp rag to cool the film back off--keeping it from shrinking back out of the corner.
Hope this helps...

RE: Tricks/Tips for Covering Filets
 

I do it the same way, 3/4 to 1 inch strips, but I use thick instant glue to put them on instead of heat. Then run the surface covering as close to the corner as I can. Gives a nice clean joint, and the covering has something smooth and cleant to glue to when you heat it instead of fillet material that it seems to never stick to. Works great.

RE: Tricks/Tips for Covering Filets
 

Flyboy,

When you say "Thick Instant Glue", is this medium CA, or something like a contact cement?

RE: Tricks/Tips for Covering Filets
 

Add me to the list of those who iron down a strip in the corner first. I don't glue it, but I do make sure the iron is below shrinking temp when I'm ironing the pieces on top. When I go back to shrink later, I keep the heat well away from the corner.

RE: Tricks/Tips for Covering Filets
 

Hi!
Most of the time it is easier to cover the fillets separately (if that is possible) and then Ca glue them on. It is best to cover the fuselage separately and do same thing to the fin and stabilizer...then finally assemble everything .
Oracover (Ultracote in the US)is much better and easier to use than any other plastic film.

Regards!
Jan K
Sweden