Problem with Ultracote wrinkling - help needed!
 

All - several years ago I purchased a kit built Ultra Sport 40 that had been covered in (I think) Ultracote. Never had any issues with the covering, but over the winter, there have been wrinkles that have developed. I attempted to re-shrink with a covering iron and sock. This made the issue worse, and in some cases seem to harden the 'ridge' of the wrinkle, and even created MORE wrinkles! I then purchased a heat gun, and attempted to gently heat up the covering in hopes that would re-shrink it, but instead, the covering just lifted away from the fuse!

I'm at wit's end here, and in need of help form the folks on here who know covering, and how to fix this problem, as this is by far my favorite plane.

Can anyone provide some assistance? I'm not familiar with Ultracote, and trying to figure what temp I need on the iron, and what technique to use to get these wrinkles and make the covering 100% smooth as it used to be.

Pictures of the issue below.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...a66b9dad6.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...7db195e8e.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ad56bc91e.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...2bcce6f60.jpeg

I'm wondering if you're getting enough heat on it. If you have a sock on an iron, I've found sometimes the heat coming from that combination isn't as intense or direct, as much as it seems without the sock on the iron. If you want to take little chance, try the iron turned up a bit more, without the sock in a very inconspicuous area, just to see if it might help.

Whatever you do, stay away from the areas where colors meet. The colors/film will just shrink away from eachother, and possibly open up a seam... or skew any straight line(s).

If your plane is an ARF, it may be covered in brand X covering and it will not shrink. Ultra Coat should just shrink with a little bit of heat from a heat gun. If it is Monokote, it shrinks as it cools and is famous for wrinkles due to weather changes. Just be careful with the heat as the seams will pull apart. Good Luck, Dave

Typically this issue regardless of covering brand is balsa dust being left on the surface when the airplane is covered. The only real fix is to recover with proper surface prep.

After a while most kit built and all arfs even when new need some covering care. Just look up Ultracote instructions or Monokote instructions and they will give you a heat range.
I would use a heat gun and keep the heat away from the seams personally.
If you use a iron be careful there is a chance you could lay a wrinkle over and that will never come out.
Kit built Ultra sport. Nice plane you have!

Substrate prep.
 

This is #1.
I have used a LOT of Monocoat. At first it looks great but eventually the surface always seems to develope bubbles.
you might try *****ing the bubbles in several areas with a needle before you heat it up or try to iron it down.

I don’t understand the “auto censor”.
 

Poke holes into the bubbles with a needle.
Better?

I have the same issue with a 30 year old Carl Goldberg Ultimate,,, no matter what I do
the covering simply dont shrink.
I am seriously considering to re-cover the whole plane,
but not sure what to use instead ?

How did you end up ?

Good morning,
The wrinkles went away when a heat gun was used - the sealing iron wouldn't do it.
Not sure what kind of covering you are working with, but I would try a heat gun.
You must work slowly and be sure not to burn the covering.

My particular situation was Ultracote - not sure what you're using, but some coverings may react differently.

Let us know how things work out for you and best of luck.

Merry Christmas,
Skeezix

Thank you for answering.
I am not 100% sure but think it´s Ultracote they used 30 years ago.
Have tried a heat gun and worked slowly, got most of the bigger wrinkles away
with many smaller still "open",. It seems like the glue is not actvated so cosequently
the Ultracote does not stick to the balsa. Wish I could take it off and re-glue & shrink.
Or I just might accept this old model as is.

Merry Christmas
//Rob

Rob - I've had luck with covering that is quite old before, so don't give up yet.
Year ago, Topflight made something called a 'Hot Glove' I think. It was a hand mitt used in conjunction with the heat gun to help lay the covering down when it was hot. You may try something like that?
I would encourage you to keep working with it and keep trying ....low heat and slow....much like BBQ!

Thanks :-)
Sure I will try and try again, However I suspect the covering will come loose in the summer temperature and sunshine.
I am using a cloth and trying to press down as I heat it but the glue does not stick to the balsa.
Will continue to heat and press...