Covering
 

Here goes,
I'm gonna strip the covering off an existing plane and re-do it. My problem is making it look good. I've seen some guys planes that look like they were done ot the factory. Mine looks like it was done at the junk yard. How in heck do you get the covering so smooth and straight and nice looking. I have a standard covering iron and heat gun but I wind up with a mess or at best a second rate job. :confused: :p

Covering
 

First, Use Untracote. It's more user-friendly.

Second, read this:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/reviews.ph...ew&reviewid=67

Covering
 

I agree with Mike, Ultracote is easier to use.

Slapshot

Covering
 

MinnFlyer,
You are the man.

Covering
 

Cover ten or twelve planes and you'll start to see some improvement.

In other words, after you've read how, practice, practice, practice. ;)

covering
 

Look in the back of Model Airplane News for Faye Stilley's book on covering planes. Very informative.

Joe

Covering
 

Another thing to take a look at is the "How to MonoKote" video made by Top Flite. It is a simple, direct approach on how to do several things that can be trouble spots along with basic covering techniques. After that, it is all up to the experience you gain with each covering job. Faye Stilley's book is OK, but I was put off on the idea of not sealing the covering all the way down on a fuselage, etc., in order for the covering to 'look good'. Looking good is one thing, but in a LOT of instances the covering gives the final structural strength to the airframe...not something you want to skimp on!

Monokote is a good base color and is a bit tricky to do compound surfaces. It will bubble if you try to use it over itself. OTOH, Ultracote is good for a base or customizing and you could practically cover a golfball with it. If you have the need to cover something and then paint it, give Ozcover a look.

Covering
 

A good surface preparation is also a key to success

fill all spot with filler, make a good smooth final sanding and vaacum clean your entire plane very carefully

when using ironing tool, use a soft cloth on it (I use a sock), this avoid to make marks on your covering film

Covering
 

it is a must to have a hotsock on your iron. If you don't covering look terrible.

Covering
 

The Harry Higley books on coverying are useful. The key to smooth covering for me was to use the technique of initially tacking down one spot, then pulling tension on the covering and tacking it on the opposite side. Keep pulling and tacking around the perimeter of your wing, fuse, etc. so that it is nice and taught, then just seal it all to the rest of the surface.

One tip to hide seams is to cover the bottom first, and then the top. When you do the top, allow enough margin to wrap cleanly around the bottom and no one sees the seam!