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Coverite vs. Solartex

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Coverite vs. Solartex

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Old 10-15-2004 | 09:25 AM
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Default Coverite vs. Solartex

I've used Coverite in the past and am familiar with it.
How does it compare to Solartex?
Old 10-15-2004 | 10:43 AM
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Default RE: Coverite vs. Solartex

ORIGINAL: Zpat

I've used Coverite in the past and am familiar with it.
How does it compare to Solartex?
SolarTex is lighter in weight than Coverite. I covered 2 IDENTCAL 40 - 60 size planes, one in Coverite, the other in SolarTex. The SolarTex plane was almost 4 oz lighter.

SolarTex does not need BalsaRite to adhere to the airframe. The glue on SolarTex is excellent.

Any overlap seams are much less noticeable with SolarTex.

I have found that SolarTex does not NORMALLY need reshrinking after a period of time.

Because the weave is a little more open than Coverite, I suggest clear coating the finished plane with a water base polyurethane to keep dirt out of the weave. I know SolarTex says the dirt can be removed by scrubbing with some soap and water, however I have not had the results I would like by doing this.
Old 10-15-2004 | 01:10 PM
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Default RE: Coverite vs. Solartex

I covered an Adrian Page Gee Bee Z in Coverite and didn't care for the results.
I think I'll strip it and give Solartex a try.
Thanks for the answer.
Old 10-15-2004 | 04:17 PM
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Default RE: Coverite vs. Solartex

Solartex is much easier to apply and goes around compound curves much better. It also adheres to itself at the seams much better than Coverite.
Old 10-19-2004 | 02:20 AM
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Default RE: Coverite vs. Solartex

I can vouch for everything that has been said.

Solartex is by far the easiest covering I've ever applied. It almost conforms to curves without heat!

Coverite is OK but I had problems with fraying of the edges everywhere I cut it. Trying to iron down an edge without pulling some of the weave loose was tricky. Lots of strands had to be cut off. Solartex did not fray at all.

Great stuff!

H.
Old 10-19-2004 | 03:44 AM
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Default RE: Coverite vs. Solartex

I used to use Solartex but I've moved to Nelson Lite Fab it is very much like Solartex in it's application, it's also made in England, but it is lighter then Solartex.Still with both of these products it's hard not to get a good covering job.
Dennis

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