Hi all,
I just finished a very small model that i have decided not to fly. It was my first so i'm pretty excited.

Now i need to cover it. It came with some tissue paper but the instructions aren't very clear on how to use it, and i'm sure there is a better thing to cover it with. I kinda want to use something other than tissue paper. I'd rather make it Yellow, but i know monokote is not the way to go with this small model...or is it ok since i'm not going to fly it?

I haven't used monokote before or any type of covering. does anyone have any tips or advice on some easy covering supplies or methods i could buy rather than useing tissue paper? the instructiosn mention "dope" and mixing it with something else but i have no clue what this is...

Lastly, is the covering stage supposed to be the easy part of kit building or is it a whole separate project?

Any and all help is appreciated!

Thank you,
Mike Fas

With a very small stick model like you have I would suggest useing the tissue paper or Silkspan. You will have to apply both with dope, check with your local hobby shop and they can help you out. The covering and finishing process can sometimes take as long as the actual construction. I tend to treat each task as a seperate project especially on large projects.
Good Luck!!
Anthony

The tissue will work well. Use model airplane dope to attach it around the edges, pulling it fairly tight. When the dope has cured, use a spray bottle to LIGHTLY wet the tissue. Let that dry. Then it's dry, it will be drum tight and ready to paint. CAUTION: Pin the wings down before you shrink the tissue, if it shrinks unevenly it will warp the heck outta them. We covered control line planes like this for years, and some still do.

Dr.1

Tissue or silkspan for sure. Tissue is OK for small airplanes that won't get much handling. Silkspan is a bit tougher (comes in different weights - you probably want light weight for easier covering of compound curves).... Your call... Application to the airframe is the same for both.

Silkspan and dope (model airplane type - not the smoking type ) is available at the LHS. Comes in two types - nitrate and butyrate. I use butyrate to keep things simple, others use nitrate - sorta like "Chevy vs Ford", "high wing/low wing" arguments. Can't mix them and as I recall, you can't put nitrate over butyrate - will dissolve the butyrate. Comes in clear and colors, so yellow is an option. Be sure to get the correct thinner for the dope you are using. Since you're not gonna fly the airplane, you can go for a factory type finish with as many coats as you want.

Another covering option is to cut the tissue slightly larger than the part to be covered, spray it with water (damp, not dripping wet), place it on a towel and brush full strength clear dope to the outer edges of the structure to be covered, apply the tissue, and apply a second layer of dope over the edges of the structure thru the tissue. The tissue shrinks as it dries, leaving a nice tight surface. For difficult areas, you can cover just a portion at a time. I prefer this method because the damp tissue conforms to curves more easily than dry... Both will work...

After covering is complete, thin the yellow dope about 50% with thinner, and spray (if you have an airbrush) or brush it on... Thinning the dope when applying it requires more coats, but gives a smoother finish... Besides, you get to smell more thinner and "go where no man has gone before"... Use ventilation!!

HTH

Jim

when you guys say, put dope on the edges, do you mean ONLY the sides of the wing? Instead of a little on each rib and spar? I guess it can't tighten correclty if it's glued all over? Just taking guesses here as i type..heh

Thanks guys,
Mike Fas

Mike- Here's an old Comet tutorial about covering with tissue http://www.antiquemodeler.org/Comet_...ing_Guide_.htm Another option would be to use a glue stick, UHU works good. Goes on purple, but dries clear- Jim