Covering compound curves
 

Much as I like carving wing tips and cowls, I dread the idea of covering them. Usually, I start with a piece with nice and smooth curves, and I end up after covering with a thing covered with warts and wrinkles.[:'(]
I have just about finished carving a cowl for a Sig Something Extra shown in the pic. Note that still needs a final sanding. I am determined to do better this time with the covering.
The idea is to have a two-color scheme. Something like white-red-white. What is the best way to do it? Start from the narrow end (top in the picture) and work my way down or the other way around?
Any tip is appreciated.

Alberto

RE: Covering compound curves
 

I start at the back. Get it stuck good back there so you an pull and heat at the same time. It helps to have an extra set of hands or a way to mount the piece down solid. I keep a little pressure on the covering and heat it with a sock covered iron holding the material about 1/4" off of the surface. As the covering starts to get soft I pull it down to the balsa and work forward. If the covering is at the right temp and pliable it will go down smooth and wrinkle free.

David

RE: Covering compound curves
 

Hi!
Why not cover it with 1oz fiber glass/24 hour epoxy and paint it instead? Much easier!

RE: Covering compound curves
 

I would glass it. Especially being a cowl.

RE: Covering compound curves
 

I may end up glassing it. I think I will give a try with covering first. Boy this cowl job is going to take longer to do than the rest of the plane...
Alberto

RE: Covering compound curves
 

If you have a helper it can actually be pretty easy. I use a heat gun for compound curves. If you get the covering stuck at the back like daveopam said with an iron, then get it hot with the heat gun before pulling it tight over the curve. It also helps to use tapered pieces shaped like the sections of a football to keep it from wrinkling at the small end.