WCB

I am going to cover a 60 size biplane kit (Sig Hog Bipe) with WorldTex?? (I think that's the name) fabric and I want to use the old style AAF roundel insignia. Will decals work and where can I get some that will be the right size?
Thanks

Hurri

Why not do it scale & paint them on , only need an inking pen on a compass , experiment with the thickness of paint , put a piece of ply 5/8" sq with scotch tape holding it in center , a Stadtler pen set will do it , can make the exact size you want . Do the circle & fill in after with a brush.

WCB

Thanks Hurri, yea I thought about that. I may end up making a template and airbrushing them on. I was thinking lazy and looking for a shortcut. Painted on would look better you are right.

Campy

My Feedback: (1)

Get some water slide decal paper from BelDecal http://store.yahoo.com/beldecal/inkjetdecpap.html
Then scan in the insignia you want (or find on line). Scale them to the size you want/need and do a TEST print on plane plane paper first. If everything is good, print them out.

The decal paper costs about $1.00 per 8x11 sheet and is available in a clear background or white background. The paper can be gotten for inkjets or laser printers. Remember, printers DO NOT PRINT WHITE. If you are going to need white (such as in many roundels) you will need to get some white background paper.

WCB

OK Campy, thanks for the tip. I'll check into that.

CafeenMan

If you use water slide decals then you can also use a decal setting solution to make them "melt" into the fabric weave. They will stick better and look more like paint. No matter what decals you use you should find a compatible clear coat to protect them.

WCB

Cafeenman, thanks. I haven't decided which way I'll go but if I go the decals route I will certainly clear coat. Don't you need to clearcoat fabric anyway?

Campy

My Feedback: (1)

MOST of the PRE PAINTED fabric coverings are painted with a fuel proof paint. I know Coverite and SolarTex use fuel proof paint.

What you do want to look at/consider is the weave of the fabric after it has been shrunk. Coverite has a "more filled" weave than SolarTex due to the excess paint (Coverite is also heavier). What the clear coat would do, besides fuel proofing any decals/added trim, is help seal the weave and make cleaning easier.

I use SolarTex quite a bit. While the manufacturer says the covering can be cleaned by scrubbing with a brush, I have found that after about 4 months I can not get the covering clean (at least to my satisfaction). I clear coat with water base polyurethane to fuel proof any decals and seal the weave.