Difference in Ultracoat and Ultracoat Lite for NES wings?

[TheAMAZINGNorad]

Well I've decided to try ultracoat on my Viking because monokote doesent make transparent purple and becuase so many people recomend it for compound curves. So, I'm sitting here at the horizonhobby site wanting to order some transparent violet and yellow covering. However, I see two choices: ultracoat and ultracoat lite. Does the lite just refer to color or its weight and strength as well? The colors look lighter and, IMHO, better with the lite stuff. The regular transparent violet looks too dark with their color sample. If the lite stuff is lighter in weight besides just pigment, will it be strong enough to use while covering the wings such ships as a Viking or Olympic 2? Or should I just bite the lip and buy the regular Ultracoat and live with da color? Once again sorry if this is a newbish question but this is my second glider and I've only used monokote before. Don't wanna build it then have it come apart on the high start!!!

[robert harik]

I have covered with Monocote for 25 years and found it to be one of the best coverings sold. Its easy to work with and is very strong. The only thing about monocote is that it takes higher temps to work with and is heavier than some of the newer coverings. I dont like Ultracoate because I hate having to re-stickit down all the time and it does not look nearly as nice as Monocote.
Ultracote lite is great stuff. Its lighter than Ultracote, comes in good looking colors and covers really easily( stretches around curves great), but I have only used it on hand launch and small electrics.
I would think the lite would be fine on a high start, but would use ultracote or monocote on a winch.

[Tim Jonas]

Conversely, I prefer Ultracote specifically because I've never had a problem with adhesion. It is a personal preference thing.

[robert harik]

You are right,most of my covering problems with ultracote come from covering power planes with it. When covered with oil residue I find the seams on Ultracote always lift, not so with Monocote.
I think ultracote has a rubbery weaker feel compared to monocote also.

[TheAMAZINGNorad]

Er, I really was not asking to debate about Monokote vs. Ultracote. Monokote does not have a transparent violet therefore I have little choice no do I? I was just wondering mainly what the difference is between the Lite and regular Ultracote. Since only the transparent colors have a Lite varient, I can't tell if it the name is refering to it's lighter color or if it is a lighter material. It is hard to tell because the color samples from horizonhobby are lighter colored on the Ultracote lite hence my confusion on the lite nomenclature. Lite or LIGHT?? !!! Stupid Marketing!! If it IS a lighter material I wont get it because on these gasbag wings the covering provides alot of the strength.

[Small Bird]

Till recently I had been using Oracover light and Oracover Light Low Temperature from Hobby Lobby, which both are Ultracoat. Lately, because I wanted badly Transparent Pink, I ordered some directly from Horizon Hobby Distributors; it is called Ultracoat light on their site. Now I know, what real Ultracoat light is. It is considerably lighter than both brands of HL Oracover light, strong enough or stronger than I need for 2 and 2.5 meter electric gliders, very easy to work with. So, Norad, Light means weight.

[robert harik]

Ultracote lite is great stuff. Its lighter than Ultracote, comes in good looking colors and covers really easily( stretches around curves great), but I have only used it on hand launch and small electrics.
I would think the lite would be fine on a high start, but would use ultracote or monocote on a winch.

Ultracote lite and Oracover lite are the same thing different name.
Ultracote lite weighs: 1.2-1.4 oz per sq yd
Ultracote weighs: 1.8- 2.4 oz per sq yd

Sorry to be so long winded in my first post, you would think I sold Monocote.

[TheAMAZINGNorad]

Thanks for all the responses guys. My firend is building a Gambler + so he had me order some regular and lite. I will see how the lite stuff holds up on the gambler and will go ahead and use the regular on the viking. An old timer with the gliders said to use the stronger stuff on the Viking. Says if dosent have a huge ballast box for nothin so go for strength not weight. Ill post my thoughts on the covering when I get it. You must admit it is confusing though. They call it "Lite" not "Light" so coupled with the lighter shades of color one might get easily confused. Anyways, thanks for all the help!

[markdrela]

Ultracote lite and Oracover lite are the same thing different name.


Are you sure about this?

I've used both Ultracote-lite and Oracover-lite (new low-temp variety), and they are most definitely NOT the same thing. UCL feels more "crisp" in comparison to the more stretchy OCL. They also come in different colors.

[target]

I believe Orocover and Ultracote ARE the same; I remember buying Ultracote once, and seeing "Orocover" printed on the backing!

The "Lite" coverings may be a different story, as Mark points out above.
As for Monocote vs. Ultracote, I've establised these simple rules:

Always use Monocote on open bay wing construction, where its higher tensile strength increases overall wing strength(make sure to adhere the covering to each ad every rib after shrinking).

Always use a LOW TEMP covering like Utlracote or Ultracote Lite or Orocover on sheeted foam surfaces to reduce the chance of delaminating the sheeting from the foam.

If you want to save a little weight, I think you could probably use the Lite covering on the tail of the Viking(to save just a little nose weight), but I'd use the regular Ultracote(or Monocote) on the wing. The colors might not match, but oh well!
Good luck with your project, please post pics if possible.

Target

[robert harik]

I have one roll that says ultracote lite and one that says oracover lite and they identical in color ,texture and covering properties. I have also read they are the same, and that they are not. I can only go by my personal experience.
Its possible that different coverings have been sold uner the same name.

[Tim Jonas]

I'd heard that they were the same stuff, as wel...

[aeajr]

MY LHS says that Ultracote and Oracover the same product under different names, for whatever that is worth.