I have just put vinyl graphics on my new plane and I want to know how and what to use to seal them so they do not come up from getting exhaust on them. I have some vinyl graphics on the same plane that have been on for about 20 flights and they are already starting to come off. I will post a pic of the plane just for show. It's a Prairie Bird 50 but I call it the Prairie Sport 5000 which you will see. This thing is nothing but a blown up rubber band plane that is 3 channels. I modified it slightly and believe it or not it will flat spin. It's the funniest thing ever to see a polyhedral winged plane flat spin.

There's a couple ways to do it. You could get some clear vinyl and put that over your lettering and seal the edges with a q-tip soaked with thin CA. Or you could just spend a little time and do each individual letter with a q-tip soaked with thin CA.
You might want to practice a little before you try it because if you're not careful, you'll glue the q-tip to you plane.

You can use the same Q-tip trick using clear dope. You wouldn't run the risk of gluing the Q-tip to the plane. Would take very little time to go around all the lettering.

Does one coat around the letters do the trick with the dope or do I have to do it more than once.

Thanks again

There's been several posts about the same concern. The most prevalent answer is to seal the edges with water-based polyurethane using that same ol' cue-tip. Most other substances won't stick for long...and I tried 'em all.

Regards,
DrGO

I cover 'em with clear monocote

One coat is all that is needed. Make sure area is nice and clean.

How about a couple of coats of clear Lusterkote??

- George

I have been using thinned down clear nail polish. Works great!
BTW. What is the Q-tip method? That seems as if it would be pretty sloppy, no control.

Greg

water based urathane with small artist's paint brush. less likely to solvent degrade the edges, better control, less toxic fumes.

best not dry it in the dryer there or your wife will kick some @##!!

There has been much discussion if CA is fuel proof or not. From most I have heard..... it is not. I would think the clear dope, or clear Lusterkote would work much better anyway. Myself....I would not trust the CA around a lot of fuel residue.... lownslo....