[Guest]

I like to know what other types of light weight fabric coverings are available a part from Century 21 fabric coverings. I have reduced considerable amount of weight from rudders of my S Connie, i made all 5 rudders out of balsa sheeting and stocks Vs blue foam covered with FG. Now i am at the stage of hinging them to the fins and would like to cover frame work with light weight fabric covering in white color. I will be making more lightning holes in spines of these rudders.

[ray77]

Try SIG koverall and nitrate dope...very light

[Guest]

WOW doping once again, gee it's been many moons since last time doped a model!, Thanks Ray for the suggestion. More suggestions are welcome too as i will try this process first after hinging is done.

BTW how is you Connie coming along, any pictures?

Try SIG koverall and nitrate dope...very light

Is it important to coat the koverall with dope? Do epoxy and/or automotive paints adhere well to a doped surface.

Thanks,

Ed S

[Guest]

Ed, I would say yes, as dope will add more strength to the fabric, mind you i never used koverall before but have used SIG silk span with nitrate clear dope. As for second part of your question, i don't know maybe Ray can answer it for you.

I am thinking on using silk span on these rudders as i already have it with white nitrate dope if thats also fine and workable Ray..

[Sabrejock]

A far simpler way is to use an iron on plastic like Ultrakote and if you want it painted, prime and paint it. I've had good looking jobs with the "Colours in Plastic" series from Varathane. Thinned and brushed directly onto the bare covering it flattens to a perfect finish. Not stinky either. But if you're into breathing that stuff, hey, fill your boots!

Remember you are not looking for a fabric weave showing in the final job, it should look like plastic anyway when you're done. Tex.

[Kevin McGrath]

Take a serious look at the Solartex line sold by Balsa USA especially if you want a prepainted fabric.
I too would use Sig Koverall if you are going to paint (or dope) the finish although Koverall is not particularly light and has a strong enough shrink factor that it will crush delicate structures if you get carried away with the heat gun.......

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Sabrejock

A far simpler way is to use an iron on plastic like Ultrakote and if you want it painted, prime and paint it. I've had good looking jobs with the "Colours in Plastic" series from Varathane. Thinned and brushed directly onto the bare covering it flattens to a perfect finish. Not stinky either. But if you're into breathing that stuff, hey, fill your boots!

Remember you are not looking for a fabric weave showing in the final job, it should look like plastic anyway when you're done. Tex.

Tex,

I want its fabric texture and satin finish showing once completed as on real aircrafts. I made rudders very strong Kevin, i doubt if Koverall can warp them while shirking with heat gun, i will do a test first just to be on safe side.

[mtnflyer]

Originally Posted by Ed Smith

Is it important to coat the koverall with dope? Do epoxy and/or automotive paints adhere well to a doped surface.

This past weekend, I was preparing a Sig Astro Hog for finishing. The fuselage, fin, and rudder are to be doped with butyrite; the wings, stabalizer, and elevator will be finished using Koveral and nitrate dope first, then colored with butyrite.

The instructions I have clearly state to use nitrate dope to seal the Koverall, and then apply the finish of your choice. The instructions say, Koverite will take dope, enamel, or epoxy.

I would be inclined to test on scrap first, but, I believe enamel and epoxy can be used over nitrate dope. Nitrate dope, however, cannot be used to cover enamel.

I believe enamel and epoxy can be used over nitrate dope.

mtnflyer,

Thank you, that is the informatiom I was looking for.

REd s