I have heard of several methods of sealing the control surfaces, but am not sure which is best. What methods have you used with success?? It is a 27% Midwest Giles-202, my first "big plane"

TIA
Les

I've used Blendrum and the same covering material as I covered the plane with.

The Blendrum (sp) is put on the bottom of the control surfaces, OH if you don't know what it is, it's made by 3M and is a clear surgical tape. It is very easy to apply but the only thing I don't like about it is it is a matte finish rather than a gloss finish but it holds very well and Nitro fuel doesn't seem to affect it. Talk to the Glider Guiders about it as they even use it for hinge material.

The covering works too but I find it's harder to get in place and in some cases it seems to make the control surface a little harder to move but that might help in stopping some small amount of flutter.

I seal all flying surfaces with Mono/Ultra/coat. The color of the bottom surface or clear. I use a piece large enough to forma "v" in the gap after extending the control surface in the extreame up position. I allow 1/8 to 1/4 overlap for adhesion. Minimum heat. All edges sealed with water based Poly-u. Lasts the life of the aircraft.

I use Ultracote for covering and use the clear ultracote for the gaps. Cut strips about 1 inch wide - fold in "V" - flex surface to max deflection without servos hooked up - iron on at low temp using trim iron - then trim off excess above the bottom of surfaces - then increase temp to 350 degrees and seal. Work great - invisible - light - takes about 30 minutes for average 40 size plane. I due this to all surfaces.

Ted B.

This trick is clean and neat. Use silicone to seal gaps in all surfaces. Make a v-shaped trowel and flex the control surface open. Trowel in just enough silicon to seal and wipe excess that goes thru the gap on the other side. Let control surface go back to neutral and let dry. When needed this type of seal is easy to remove, make sure surface is clean from oil and fuel if your doing this after the fact.

To seal the gap between the aileron is very easy. Just use the covering that is going to be put on the plane. Cut a strip about 2 inches wide and then fold down the middle. Put the aileron at full up or down depending which side of the wing that you are working, and using a trim iron cold first put it in place and move the iron back and forth a couple of times to mold the covering. Then heat the trim iron and push the covering into the gap sealing it to each side. Then just seal the balance of the materal over the wing and aileron. Now you are ready to put the covering on the wing. I use the same color as I am covering the wing with. Then you can end the covering on the back edge of the wing into the gap but not across it. I usually use monacote but it will work with other coverings as well.

You are so right stick flyer.... but what if this plane is an arf or and plane all built and covered and you dont have matching film. Then the silicon method works good.
However I really prefer the way you desribed... I just offered something... different.

What about clear packing tape? It works great on my Zagi. Haven't tried it on my glow planes yet.

I assume the Silicone (if put on thin) will not cause any problems with the hinge being stiff?? I think I'll try it, on the Giles 202

Les

Toymaker

This is what I like about our hobby. For each problem there is a dozen or so ways to solve it. I was just reading the answers given for sealing the gap and it just proved that what works for one may not work for another. Great Hobby and a good idea.

Chris