twn

Hi:

First I'm a sorta noobie at this covering. I have done simple covering jobs and understand the process and have watched the videos here. I'm doing a simple starburst pattern with monokote on my Kadet MarkII on the top of the main wing. Do I cut the individual triangular pieces and iron them on one at a time on to the wing (OR) do I seam the pattern together off of the plane and then tack the whole section on. I am unsure as to what would be the best way to do this.

If I join the pieces together with low heat before and tack the whole section to the wing (as you would normally do with a solid color) will the seams pull apart when I use the gun to shrink the covering?

Thanks,
Tom

DMcQuinn

My Feedback: (13)

I generally cover the entire structure with the base color and then add the triangular pieces one-by-one on top of the base color. So there is a double thickness of monokote where the second color goes. This may be slightly heavier than the seamed approach. The seamed approach also works but you can never use a heat gun on it.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I would do like DMcQuinn said - Base coat, then sunburst.

But if the Sunrays are small, like his, I would outline where they are going, and then poke a few bazillion holes in the under coat for air to escape. If they are large (Where he has 6 rays, most sunburst patterns only have 3) I would outline them and then cut out the center leaving only about 1/2" of overlap.

Look at the video where I applied the red wingtip covering to see how this is done.

Insanemoondoggie

Is there anything wrong with covering the plane in a base color then using vinyl tape sheets to cut out the burst ?

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Yea - you can't cut with vinyl.

Do you mean use vinyl as the rays instead of covering? If so, then yes you can do that. It would be a little heavier, but not much

Campy

My Feedback: (1)

A hint for minimizing/eliminating the bubbles.

Use WINDEX to apply the trim. The ammonia in the Windex activates the adhesive (this ONLY works with Monokote ). Spray the area, apply the trim piece, then CAREFULLY squegee the excess Windex out from under the trim piece and BLOT, not rub, the area with a dry cloth or paper towel to get rid of the excess windex. Let dry for 12 hours (or longer) then go over the edges with a trim iron or some Monokote trim solvent to seal the edges.

I believe Minnflyer has a video or detailed instructions available also.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

If you are using MonoKote this works well. I prefer to go over the edges (After 24 hrs) with a Q-Tip dipped in Acetone than to use heat.

twn

Thanks for all of your input. As it turns out I only had enough specific monokote left to do it in pieces. It worked out great too. I used parchment paper under when I joined it off of the wing. (nothing seems to stick to parchment paper and it left no residue on the glue side of the monokote.) No wrinkles and I carefully used the gun to shrink the monokote once on the wing. I just stayed clear of the seams. To some degree anyway... I will post some pics later.


Thanks,
Tom