where can you buy Solartex covering? I am thinking about covering my SIG 1/5 scale J3 Cub with a fabric covering. I've always used Monokote to cover my kits, but I think the fabric will give it a more scale look, I've been told it's easier to work with also

Thanks

get it at balsa usa

I have a Modeltech P47 in Solartex, or so I've been lead to believe, and the covering does not stay attached well, it shrinks to heat, it bubbles in the sun. I have seen ads that say the P47 is now covered in Monocoat.
From the experience with this plane I would never choose it for covering.

Plane flys great.

Jerry T

Quantum Models also carries Solartex.

DaveB

JerryT, I doubt that you have Solartex on that plane. Solartex does not evidence any of the symptoms you described. IMHO it is one of the easiest coverings to apply, is very strong, goes around compound curves as good or better than any other covering and adheres to itself very well. No saging with heat either. My only complaint is that the weave makes it difficult to clean unless you top coat it.

The Solartex will be so much nicer on that cub than plastic film. I have not had any problems with wrinkles or staying attached in the sun, and cleaning isn't very tough either, if done properly. The SE5a' in my Gallery are covered in Solartex, very nice covering.

Used Solartex on a Smith Mini Plane and it has stood up well, Just covered a J3 Cub with Worldtex and it looks great, was easy as Solartex to work with.

I just covered two planes with Worldtex - which is Solartex from a different distributor - and I will never, ever use Monokote or any mylar again on any plane I build. Last week I stripped all the Monokote off of a third - a Tiger 2 - with the sole intent of recovering it with Worldtex which is available from Horizon Hobbies.

Solartex/Worldtex is many times easier to use than plasic film, goes around curves like paint, can be ironed over itself without bubbles (no Windex needed), shrinks very well and looks much, much better, almost as good as silk.

Worldtex was a couple of bucks cheaper than Solartex the last time I checked: $15 vs. $17. And it comes in a meter roll, so you get a bit more than with Monokote. It's great stuff.

A Cub just cries out for this type of covering material. Have you ever seen a shiny, plastic full size Cub?

Jerry T, I have a Model Tech P47 and it absolutely does not have Solartex. Solartex is not a film but is a fabric covering. I covered my Sig Spacewalker II with solartex and it is a great product very easy to use and holds tight with no bubbling or sagging. As far as the P47 goes I might recover it this winter with the silver Solartex.

I believe Solartex, Worldtex, Colortex (anything ending in ...tex) is essentially the same material and apply in identical manner. I agree with the above comments that it is easier to apply than any of the films and much stronger. You do get more material per roll than with the films also, it is a few inches wider and longer, a significant difference from films when covering large models. The only place I would use the films instead is on the smaller models or where the rigidity of the structure is dependent on skin tension such as on the large Telemaster wing. The fabrics are softer and do not give the high skin tension that films do.

Solartex is wonder to work with...the se5a on my lick was done in OD green and if it didn't have the color I wanted, I'd get a neutral color and paint it with latex. I top coat with both gas and glow. later, ken

I just ordered the Cub yellow Solartex for my Cub. I'm about 3 weeks awy from covering, do need to put a clear coat over top of Solartex to fuel proof it? won't most clears give it a shinny finish?

A Cub just cries out for this type of covering material. Have you ever seen a shiny, plastic full size Cub?
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You mean like this? And yes....it's fabric.