Covering
 

Em...i have a few technical difficulties about covering some holes. What material i must use. I use tape but i didn't fly it throuh then. Take a look at the pictures and tell me:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...6/IMG_2116.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...6/IMG_2117.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...6/IMG_2118.jpg

RE: Covering
 

You should take it easy with the tape and use Monokote or Ultracote or any other proper covering material you can get a hold of. Probably in Cyprus you'll get most of the things branded for Europe so my guess is that you'll be able to find Oracover (Ultracote in the U.S).

Tape is a great idea to do quick field repairs but you shouldn't get used to doing big repairs with it.

RE: Covering
 

I saw these in Tower: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...H=ULTRACOTE+++

How it works? It sticks, right? You blow with a heat gun or something?What? What is the procedure?

RE: Covering
 

That's Monokote. You need a covering iron and a heat gun to use it properly. Basically it adheres to the clean surface with the iron and then you eliminate remaining wrinkles with the heat gun. From what I see in your pictures, your plane is a Kyosho Calmato. You should check if they cover their planes with Ultracote or Monokote because sometimes there are issues when trying to combine covering brands.

RE: Covering
 

I want to ask something about the heat gun and the iron. I think i saw somewhere using an iron with a towel. Is that correct? I think is correct because if you use the iron only on the monokote, it will melt, right? I saw heat guns that have adjustable temps. How much i must adjust it? 120 clecious? 700? 1200?:D

Oh, and where else you can find monokote or ultracote? That thing reminds me a material that can be sold in bookshops.[8D]

RE: Covering
 

You can use tape, but use the thin celophane packing tape (Like wide scotch tape)

Duct tape is a little thick

RE: Covering
 

The iron is designed to work safely and perfectly with Monokote or Ultracote. You can cover with either perfectly with just a covering iron.

Each covering is designed for model airplanes. They are easy to use, and relatively easy to create perfect looking work. They are designed to provide strength, puncture resistance, and to last without maintenance. They're also fuel proof. You are wasting your time looking for alternative coverings.

Where to find? Where did you find your model? Any mail order hobby dealer you find on the internet should answer an email question about shipping to you.

RE: Covering
 

Just a moment. The iron we are talking about, is that women use for "do the job" on our clothes, right? If i touch a hot iron on the monokote or ultracote, it wont melt? But it's plastic.

RE: Covering
 

No, it is a hobby iron and hobby heat gun designed for installing covering.
Covering iron
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXL499&P=7
Heat gun
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXJD39&P=ML

RE: Covering
 

Oh, i see now :D The bad is that these electrical devices want 110 Voltage which here in Europe we don't have in our homes. Of course for my good luck, i'm somehow an electrician boy and i can transform the 240 into 110, no problem. Ok, but i saw somewhere that we are using towels on the spots we want to cover, and then with the heat gun and the iron, we "do what we have to do" above of the towel. Is that right?

RE: Covering
 

I never use a towel.
Some people use a sock on their iron like this:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHZ20&P=ML
And that is just to help prevent scratches, I have not had a problem with using a bare iron as long as I keep it clean.

RE: Covering
 

Xmm...ok :D

RE: Covering
 

See the videos here about applying covering.

It's easy to do and you can have the plane looking like new.

RE: Covering
 

As stated, the sock is just for preventing scratches. A towell will most likely not let enough heat through to set off the adhesive.
And, by the way, I have used a household iron before in a pinch, but I didn't tell the wife ;)
I would spend the money and get a good iron, like the 21st century coverite iron. That is the best one out there. Lots of power, so it heats up quickly and won't lose it's heat while using it...

RE: Covering
 

I found a yellow pages listing of potential hobby shops in Cyprus
http://www.gmbds.com/11808.htm
If any are near you, and handle RC stuff, they might have a covering iron on the right voltage and a selection of covering.

A listing from Robby for hobby shops in Greece
http://www.robby.gr/greece/en/Busine...and_Modelling/

RE: Covering
 

Videos? Where?

RE: Covering
 

Minnflyer did some excellent videos on the basics of covering.

RE: Covering
 

Where are they? I want them :D Give me links or directions please ;)

RE: Covering
 

RCU member MinnFlyer has done some great how-to articles and videos on covering. check them out as they will go a long way to getting you started.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=67] Minnflyer Covering how-to [/link]
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=726] Minnflyer, Another Look at Covering[/link]

RE: Covering
 

Ok, that helps a lot ;) Thanks. One question only. If i use a hair blower instead of a heat gun, it will be ok?

RE: Covering
 

Most hair dryers don't put out enough heat to shrink the covering. And in the same thought, heat guns that are used to strip paint are usually too hot. You're best bet is getting a heat gun designed for covering.

Ken

RE: Covering
 

Oh man. Can't find heat guns in a Europe shop. Only in towerhobbies i found. I guess i will buy a transformer and do my job as it must be done ;)