My SE kit is almost complete and has been covered with monokote. I am undecided if I should seal the control surfaces at the hinge line. If I do I will probably iron about a 1/2" wide strip of monokote into the "V" on the bottom side. Kit is built per plans. no surfaces extended. I know there is a lot of opinions on this subject, but has anyone actually flown a SE or similar before and after sealing and noticed any difference? I am not a expert pilot by far but I can handle my 4* and Uproar OK. From what I have read I will start with the throws fairly mild and go from there.

well, here is my opinion.

it's never a bad thing to do it, but you may omit it as soon your gap between the flight control and the surface is small (on a SE).
if you do it, your flight controls will be more responsive in any case.
I use clear tape to seal my flight controls instead of using monokote. It's important that you seal such a way that your flight controls keep all the throw without heavy load on the servo. This can be a bit dificult the first time, that's why I suggest you to go with clear tape that you can easily remove for your first atempts

I built my SE as per plans ! no added surfaces and so on ! I didnt seal my gaps but then my gaps are very very small I can see through in a couple spots that how tight they are !
I dont know how much you have but if they are with in reason Id go fly the plane !! Its a super fun plane !! have a blast with it !!

I built my SE as per plans ! no added surfaces and so on ! I didnt seal my gaps but then my gaps are very very small I can see through in a couple spots that how tight they are !
I dont know how much you have but if they are with in reason Id go fly the plane !! Its a super fun plane !! have a blast with it !!

Go ahead and seal them.. it won't hurt a thing. The monokote can also save the plane in case of a hinge failure.. tthe covering can hold the aileron or other control surface in place adequately for you to be able to land the thing.

You will know if a hinge fails that would have destroyed the model without the sealing... the trims will VERY suddenly be way off. LAND IMMEDIATELY you won't have long.

salmonbug, How do you seal the hinge line with clear tape? How do you get the tape to be on the same hinge line as the hinges?

If you're sealing the gap with clear monokote or ultracote, do not heat up the ca hinges with the sealing iron. The hinge material may be weakened or embrittled by the heat

I covered my SE with ultrakote, and hinged with the same, there is no gap, and after 250 flights is looking as good as the day it was covered.

my english is not very good, but I will try to explain

buy clear packin tape aproximatly one inche wide, not that you can also find a tape especialy designed for that in your LHS

-cover and hinge your surfaces permantly
-deflect the surface to the maximum and find a way to block it in that position
-apply the tape with half sticking to the control surface and the other half sticking on the fix surface, be sure that your tape also stick in the edge between the surfaces, all the lenght of the flight control



for planes like a somethin extra I suggest to seal only on one side to keep the things easy


this is a frustrating job, but what I like in that method is that if you miss it, simply remove the tape and try again.......