Which covering do you use and why do you use it?

Thanks in advance,
WOOD
:spinnyeye

Nelson Lite Fab. I believe it's the same as Solartex. Good fabric covering ang great customer support!

When I need a fabric I use SIG Koverall, still use Monokote but use OzCover more now as it's by far easier and better then the rest.

Solartex (also Colortex and Worldtex) as it is much stronger, you get lots more on a roll--you would be surprized how much more you can cover with a full meter versus 36 inches on most films. It also goes around compound curves much better than film does, sticks much better and holds up better under heat, cold, damp or ??.

For fabric I use Colortex, goes around curves very easily and is very tough.

Primarily I use Ultracote, goes on easy, looks great, makes me feel like I actually know what I am doing with iron on coverings...a feeling I never got with Monokote.

i've only covered one plane and that was with monokote, its good stuff, but i hear ultracote is the way to go, it covers easier around bends and curves, though i hear monokote is tougher, they both come with a variety of colors to, which helps.

now about that solortex? what exactly is that??? i know its covering, but have any websites?

Nelson Litefilm. Litefab and color fab as well.

---Paul

I'm in the same boat as shortman, only covered one plane and I used monokote. It seemed to work okay, I've got some Goldberg transparent lightweight stuff waiting to put on my glider.

Ultracote, because it doesn't sag.

During my 13 month house remodel, all of my models sat in a steel container in my driveway, in the hot California sun... when I took them out, every Ultracote covered model was still drum-tight on the covering, whereas the Monokote covered model looked like a prune.

I'm sure there are ways to prevent Monokote covering from sagging too.. but why bother figuring out how, when you get that benefit automatically with Ultracote ?

Gordon

I used Monokote when I first started in the hobby 15 years ago. I then switched to Ultrakote because it was easier to use and didn't sag. Sadly they discontinued it, when it first came back on the market I bought some, it was definetly not the same quality. I helped someone build a plane a couple years ago, and he had bought Ultrakote, I was amazed that they had returned to the original quality. I have been using it exclusively since.

Have been using Monokote since the 70's. Have tried various brands long ago. Will be trying some of the newer brands when I run out of the white, yellow and orange Monokote which I have accumulated over the years.

Rich

I use monokote mainly because that is what the two hobby shops close to me carry.

DEG

I have been building for 15 years. Originally I used monocote. I tried ultracote a few years ago and found it stuck better, shrunk better, and adjusted around corners much more efficiently. I also found Ultracote on top of Ultracote applied well with less effort and bubbles than monocote. Finally, with the hot summer days around New Orleans I have very little wrinkling with Ultracote and I always struggled with Monocote. That's been my personal experiences.

I use Ultracote cuz the color goes from edge to edge, with Monokote you can't use that one edge.

Scott

This may cause a whine or two but I've switched to MicaFilm....
Lighter, stronger, dosen't get brittle with age...can be painted with laytex house paint (gasers only)
Only bad part is the smell of the glue...and some extra time to prep with brushing on the glue..

Have used Monocote from day one and do a pretty good job with it. Have all the bugs most people complaine about worked out. Have used Ultracote several times but just don't like how it goes on. Personal opinion here.

Also, once you have stock of mutliple colors why spend so much $$ on all new stock??

Ed

I prefer to paint. Sig coverall or glass in my choice!

Started out using Monokote and stayed with it many years. Early on also used solar film on a couple of planes. Wasn't too happy with it. It tended to be saggy.

A couple of years ago I got some Oz Mid weight covering. I really like this. When you get it on it comes out clear. Then you can paint it - I use rustoleum - and end up with a real tough covering. I have gotten to the poin that this is my preferred covering on a new plane.


Recently used mica film on a park flyer. Handles real well. I am not too sold on having to put a "stickum" (Balsarite) on the plane first. Guess I have gotten too lazy with the other films with the bbuilt-in adhesive.

Started out using Monokote and stayed with it many years. Early on also used solar film on a couple of planes. Wasn't too happy with it. It tended to be saggy.

A couple of years ago I got some Oz Mid weight covering. I really like this. When you get it on it comes out clear. Then you can paint it - I use rustoleum - and end up with a real tough covering. I have gotten to the poin that this is my preferred covering on a new plane.


Recently used mica film on a park flyer. Handles real well. I am not too sold on having to put a "stickum" (Balsarite) on the plane first. Guess I have gotten too lazy with the other films with the bbuilt-in adhesive.

Tried Monocoat, loved the look but got tired of picking up the shredded pieces when I had a prang. Now use 21st Century, like the way it goes on for compound corners, looks scale (on a Pitts and Cub now, Stampe next) and is stronger than my planes. Saved one wing strike because I had 21st Century on the bottom, it survived, the monocoat on top didn't. Wing was repaired but not with Monocoat this time. Cheers, Tom.

I use Ultracote. It goes on better for me than Monokote and it seems to be a little stronger.

Eric

Thanks for all of the input, Looks like I'll do a little more research to find out about some other coverings I did not know about.

WOOD

:spinnyeye

I use Ultracote mainly because I have better success getting the seams and edges to seal better
and it seems to be more temperature tolerant than
some of the other coverings I have used.
For fabric I have used Colortex, Sig coverall,
and am trying out Supercoverite. The Super Coverite seems fine but we will see when it is done. I have also used the painted Coverite
(I can't remember the name) but wasn't too happy with the end result.

Sam

I have used both Monokoat and ultracoat. I like both. I like the seams you get with Monokoat better. And I think Ultracoat is easier to use. I have done more kits in Monokote. Around here Ultracoat costs more to.

JIM

Monocoat/Ultracoat:
Monocoat on majority with Ultracoat trim.
If using Monocoat as trim then the acetone trick with sealing of edges.
Ultracoat finishes are 100% Ultracoat as Monocoat just hates to adhere to it.

Old timers use to use SuperCoverrite just very heavy, majority are now Koverall.

U-Controls are still silkspan and Dope and once in awhile notalgia sets in and silk is used. Otherwise Koverall (It just takes so much filler though)