Getting back into building after many years. What are the best coverings nowadays?

You will likely get as many different suggestions as responses. We all use what we get used to. I have worked with Monokote, but it has been a LONG time. More recently I covered a large model with Solartex available from Balsa USA. If a textile finish fits your project, Solartex is good cooperative stuff to work with.

Have fun whatever you choose.

Bedford

For a smooth iron-on finish - Monokote for appearance & longevity of finish; Ultracote for ease of covering
For a fabric iron-on finish - Solartex
For a glued on fabric finish (needs to be painted) - Stits Lite

Welcome back...it would be helpful if you indicate what you plan on covering, and if you are willing to paint or not.

If you are referring to film type covering, I highly recommend UltraCote. It's is easy to work with, looks great and and it lasts. I have used it for many years. I started out with Monocote, but after a few years, tried UltraCote and have never looked back.

I prefer Monokote for longevity, and I do agree the Ultrakote is a bit more forgiving when using it. The shine on the Monokote far outlasts Ultra though in my experience. Try either one though if you're just getting back into it, as you'll do fine... and when the bug really bites, you'll try other things anyway. Films and Tex coverings haven't changed alot in years.

Battery and electronic technology on the other hand has changed dramatically in the last 10yrs compared to coverings... that might be a good topic to study up on too.

Welcome back.

I have used a little monokote but my mentor who passed away years ago hated it. He said it took a lot of heat to make it stick andthat he almost burned up his iron trying to cover his airplane with it.I really liked solar film but its not available in the U.S. and I did a search recently and found a company on line that sells it under a different name but they had a very limited supply. The metallic red was my favorite color at the time I built my Traine air 20.