Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Airplanes > Tips & Techniques
Cleaning my plane before re-covering, material removal. >

Cleaning my plane before re-covering, material removal.

Community
Search
Notices
Tips & Techniques Want to share a tip or special technique you have either in the workshop or at the flying field or race track? Post it right here!

Cleaning my plane before re-covering, material removal.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-13-2015 | 08:54 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (27)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Athol, ID
Default Cleaning my plane before re-covering, material removal.

I am in the process of stripping my Ultra stick for recovering. Really no problem with the covering it's self, just getting the bonder from the Balsa without damage.
The covering is of the transparent type..........Any ideas?
Old 12-13-2015 | 09:18 AM
  #2  
My Feedback: (3)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
From: Vero Beach, FL
Default

I would heat the covering with a heat gun and when soft, then peel it off. Most of the adhesive should come with it. For anything left on the balsa, acetone will usually help remove it.
Old 12-13-2015 | 10:30 AM
  #3  
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
From: high deserts, CA
Default

I have used brake cleaner on a rag to remove the glue and color after peeling off the covering. It will also soften the glue of the little bits of covering here and there.


Buzz.
Old 12-13-2015 | 12:03 PM
  #4  
scale only 4 me's Avatar
My Feedback: (158)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,420
Received 54 Likes on 52 Posts
From: Avon Lake, OH
Default

peal covering off, any glue residue can be removed by taking packing tape or even scotch tape,, rub onto surface,, pull tape straight up,, this will remove 99% of the glue, sanding removed the rest

good luck
Old 12-13-2015 | 02:38 PM
  #5  
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (27)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Athol, ID
Default

Thanks guys, several good ideas. Have been using heat but just is not cutting it ! It"s a strange transparent covering and the plane was in storage for in N. Cal.for a number(very hot summers) of years before I obtained it NIB and built it several years ago. It has a ton of flights on it and was getting shabby.........
Old 12-16-2015 | 07:17 PM
  #6  
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 836
Received 25 Likes on 23 Posts
From: Decatur, AL
Default

I was given a plane that needed to be recovered. I tried everything to get the monokote off and still had lots of it in places where nothing would work. I got mad at it and broke out a detail sander and put that on it. I had that finish down to bare naked balsa in 10 minutes. I used a coarse grit and stopped sanding immediately after I got the monokote ground off. A little more fine sanding and I was ready to recover.

Carl
Old 12-17-2015 | 07:04 AM
  #7  
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (27)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Athol, ID
Default

Thanks,
I have used the tape method with heat. It's working well and with a light follow-up sanding I shall be ready to start covering soon.

Thanks
Old 12-17-2015 | 01:26 PM
  #8  
scale only 4 me's Avatar
My Feedback: (158)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,420
Received 54 Likes on 52 Posts
From: Avon Lake, OH
Default

Awesome,, glad I could pass that tip along, a club member should that to me recently

good luck

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.