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For the last couple of days I have been trying to spruce up an old glider. Its a Lil Dip that I flew in the Nats about 3 years ago. I built the model rather hastily and not as I would have liked. Although it has rewarded me with several maxes, it was only flown occasionally. Now I would like to recover the stab and the top of the tips of the wings. The original covering was a heat shrink film, for the life of me I can’t remember the name. Well, I first tried to cover the wing tips with a heavy tissue I bought. Its white and a little lighter than silkspan and is advertised to be put on wet. I used thinned white glue, but it didn’t adhere at all. Next tried a glue stick – same result. It must be the finish on the model. I did not remove the covering on the wood of the leading and trailing edges. Next I stripped the stab and wanting to make it lighter got my silver mylar out. Sanded the stab and put on balsaloc. The bottom adhered fine and I thought the top did too. After cooling though the top was loose and I stripped it off. Bottom of stab is fine.
Any suggestions on what to do next or what else to use to attach the tissue and mylar?If I can’t remove old covering by peeling off, I sand it down to bare wood.
For a model of this size, I would recommend Solarfilm “SOLITE”. Also called MicroLite and a few other names. It sticks well, shrinks up nice, and best of all is as light as Jap tissue. It repairs well, and if you need to recover, it pulls off mostly in tact.
I use this on all small models now. For 1/2A or larger gliders, I use Ultracote Lite. About twice as heavy, but lighter than MonoKote or Ultracote.
I spent about 20 hours sanding tissue from the wing of a 1970 A-2 glider. It must be worth the work to spend that much time refurbishing an old model. It was in this case, because the model had been to a World Championships and was an excellent flier.
Dave,
Thanks for the suggestions. The covering I originally used was Polyspan. How do Solite and Polyspan compare in weight and strength? Although this particular model hasn’t flown really well, I think it is because I never got it sorted out. On several flights it thermalled beautifully. I hope the Nats will continue to have this event or something similar. I have also built a “Junior” circle tow which I have yet to fly due to the limited areas I have here in Virginia. It should be exciting to tow it the first time.My question is would Solite be a good covering for a coupe are p-30 model ? I also am not knowledgeable of this covering are use. Does is have any coloring to it? How do you apply the covering? Seal the covering ? Adhire the covering ?
Thanks…Craig H
I have just finished covering my Majestyk with MicroLite. I used regular Ultracote on the fuselage but the MicroLite on the wings and stab.
This is an excellent product. It shrinks well and is very, very light. I would have preferred a less opaque color, because I really like to see the structure. However, that is a very small gripe.
It handles well, and I would rate it only slightly more difficult to apply than Ultracote.
The manufacturer, Carl Risteen was extremely helpful.
I have only four iron-on covering jobs before this one, but have years and years experience with Japanese tissue.
The web address for MicroLite is: http://www.ramicrolite.com/
Again, an excellent product. 😀 😀 😀
This is an excellent covering for P-30, Coupe, and A-1 size gliders. I have even used it on a bigger Classic Towline model.
I would even use it on an Embryo model.
I like Ultracote Lite for 1/2 A models, but the SoLite would also be good for 1/4A Nos models. Also a good covering for stabs on F1B, F1A, etc.
The covering is an iron on film with adhesive. I use a sealing iron, trimming iron, set on the low setting for applying to the wood structure and for initial shrinking on open covering.
A heat gun should be used very carefully, because you can easily melt a hole in it because it is light weight.
When covering open structure at the trailing edge, you need to be careful to not stick the top covering to the bottom covering. I have recovered some panels when this has happened, but now I am getting skilled at using the heat gun to hit top surface, then bottom surface to get that area expanding with hot air so the bond will break.
In general the material shrinks down easier than UltraCote.
It is available in a wide range of colors including clear. When covering with clear it is really interesting to remember which side the adhesive is on.
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