Transparent covering
 

What do you all reccomend for transparent covering for larger planes? I've used Microlite for the small electrics but it seems a little thin for .60 to .90 size birds. Maybe there is list/description of coverings on here somewhere...?

Thanks,
Bob

RE: Transparent covering
 

Not sure on your request for a list/description of covering. Never seen one but you might find one at the manufactures web sites like Monokote or Ultracote.

You say transparent but I’m not sure if you mean clear, or colors that are see thru? Been a long time since I’ve used the non-opaque colors but used Monokote when I did. As for the clear I have a roll and mostly use it to seal hinges and an occasional patch, if I don’t have a match for the color I’m repairing. It’s Monokote and works just like any other in there line.

RE: Transparent covering
 

Hi Billy, I don't have much experience covering but I've used Monokote and it seems kind of heavy and hard to work around corners. Thought there was/is a description of all the coverings somewhere on the web especially the transparent or semi transparent colored or clear and their attributes, etc. Though maybe a "covering expert" would jump in and clear it all up. Ha ha.

Thanks,
Bob

RE: Transparent covering
 

Both Ultra Coat and Monokote offer transparent colors and clear. In light and regular grades.

Ultra coat is sold by Horizon hobby and is actually Oracover. This material is easier to work with than Monokote
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Search/D...&CatId=&Page=2

Monokote is sold by Tower Hobbies
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...E+++&search=Go

RE: Transparent covering
 

Thanks Jim, someone else mentioned UltraCoat too. Maybe I'll order a few rolls and give it a try.

Bob
KC1CW

RE: Transparent covering
 

Here's a couple of pics of one of my old timers done in transparent Ultracote, in this case transparent violet, orange and red. I've been very happy with the ease of application and performance of Ultracote.
Monokote has some good transparent colors, too, but I've been burned by too many rolls that won't shrink to risk using it again.

RE: Transparent covering
 

Transparent yellow Monokote

RE: Transparent covering
 

If you are interested in the clear, Ultracote is not completely clear but more like frosted clear glass while the Monocote is completely clear.

RE: Transparent covering
 

I think I prefer the semi or frosted look over the clear. Nice covering photos, my covering jobs look like they were done by kindergarten students. I'll blame it on the Monokote for now. :D

Strat, did you cut the letters and design out by hand or use a machine?

Bob
KC1CW

RE: Transparent covering
 

I much prefer ultracote to monokote but when it come to transparents even more so.

Transparent monokote shrinks very poorly and burns easy. I recently covered a plane with both transparent monokote and ultracote. I found the ultracote much easier to work with. The top of the ailerons are ultracote and the bottom monokote. The top is smooth and wrinkle free and went on easy. With the bottom I could never get all the wrinkles out and spent about twice as much time on it.

I actually prefer the look of monokote but its a lot harder to work with and as far as transparents I will never buy another role of monokote.

RE: Transparent covering
 

Rodney, I've found some examples of Ultracote to be perfectly clear (see my Bomber pics above) while others are frosty...and had the same experience with Monokote. I'm not sure if it goes by color or by individual roll.

Bob, my letters are generated on a computer (I use a real old program called Printshop Deluxe), printed in thin outline, then cut by hand. It's not as hard as it sounds once you've done it a couple of times. The graphic on that airplane is a lot of individual pieces, taken from my own drawing with the different colors seperated in Photoshop to make templates. About three days work for me, but fun, lol.

RE: Transparent covering
 

I too prefer applying Ultracoat over Monokote in general but have covered a couple of planes with transparent Monokote with good results. I haven't tried any of Ultracote's transparent colors. Here's my Kadet Sr. that uses transparent orange Monokote.