Covering, so many choices

[erichj]

I am building a Houston Hawk and am just about ready for covering. What's the best covering to use?
Ultracote, Monocote, Oracover, etc etc??????? :confused:
Y'alls advice is very much appreciated.
Thanks

Erich J

[solo6796]

Hi Erich!

I used Ultracoat on mine...

AJ

[equest]

Erich,

I read somewhere on these forums that Oracover Lite is the same thing as Oracover. Due to some issues it is not called Oracover in the U.S. Anyway, my preference is Ultracoat. Especially the transparent line, Monocote has dropped the ball in their quality control, there have been numerous complaints on the colors and the adhesive used. I would stay away from it for now. Most people would agree that the Ultracoat family are easier to apply, a lot less fussing and cussing as well.

[Bob J]

Monocote will provide more torsional rigidity than Oracover/Ultracote.

[sailhigh]

I agree with Bob J.

[Mark Miller]

Oracover and Oralite is a product made in Germany. They make other plastic folms such as Oracal which is used by vinyl sign shops. Oracover is imported into the US under the Ultracote and Ultracote Lite names. Same products. I personally find it to be the easiest product to use for covering all types of structures. Does not seem to sag and cause bubbles on sheeted parts. I agree that Monokote gives better torsional stiffness to a structure but I have a hard time doing a good covering job with it. I have been using it since it came out and I never felt comfortable with it. My covering is a lot better since I started using Ultracote.

Mark Miller
Isthmus Models

[schrederman]

I agree that Ultracoat is the easiest to use. On my Yardbird, I used Monokote on the wings and stab, and white Ultracoat on the fuselage. I'm building a 100" model that I am going to try transparent violet Ultracoat on the wings and v-tail...

I'm still partial to Monokote for strength and durability, which I see as the major purpose for using it. The apparent ease of using Ultracoat is definitely a tempting quality.

Unless you are a real model killer on the winch, I don't think you'll have any problem with Ultracoat on a properly-built Hawk wing. I'm kind of a rip snorter so I still use Monokote on my competition wings and stabs... unless someone can convince me that Ultracoat is as strong.

Glad to see a few Hawks out there being built. I'm about to start my 5th one...

Jack Womack

[solo6796]

Oracover and Oralite is a product made in Germany. They make other plastic folms such as Oracal which is used by vinyl sign shops. Oracover is imported into the US under the Ultracote and Ultracote Lite names. Same products. I personally find it to be the easiest product to use for covering all types of structures. Does not seem to sag and cause bubbles on sheeted parts. I agree that Monokote gives better torsional stiffness to a structure but I have a hard time doing a good covering job with it. I have been using it since it came out and I never felt comfortable with it. My covering is a lot better since I started using Ultracote.

Mark Miller
Isthmus Models


Same here...

AJ

[erichj]

Thank's all of you for all your comments and/or advice. It looks like Ultracote is the "winner" here, especially for the wings. Might use some lighter stuff for the tail surfaces.
I am familiar with Ultracote, so there shouldn't be any surprises.
For all you "aspiring" Houston Hawk builders, I can only say that this is a very nice model to build. Thanks to HH member Tommy Lamnek, which so graciously provided me with the short kit, the "Hawk" is coming along nicely. I am looking forward to getting this bird in the air, once the weather here in Jackson WY is flyable.

EJ

[ChuckA]

I will not use anything but Monokote on open bay wings. Ultrakote is fine for sheeted wings or structures not likely to have flutter problems. I have seen Houston Hawks covered with ultrakote flutter the wings on tow.

[solo6796]

My HH, "Number2", has never fluttered with its Ultracote covering, and I really push it on launch...

AJ

[tomcat5109]

Hi Erich,

My HH #5 weighed 62 oz auw and I used transparent red ultracote on the wings and stab. I also used very hard balsa sheeting on the inner panels top and bottom. I won RES in the Deep South in Houston about 3 years ago with it in 20 mph winds. No flutter. Since then, #5 has made its way to Julian Tamez who won RES at the SLNT TNT in 2005, no flutter I've heard about. And this is with the original 7/16 aluminum wing joiner.

So, if you built your HH in similiar fashion, cover it with ultracote and don't worry about it. Just use a dark color on the wing bottom cause Houston Hawks are difficult to see at 1600+ feet, where they like to fly. :)

Tommy

[erichj]

Hi Erich,

My HH #5 weighed 62 oz auw and I used transparent red ultracote on the wings and stab. I also used very hard balsa sheeting on the inner panels top and bottom. I won RES in the Deep South in Houston about 3 years ago with it in 20 mph winds. No flutter. Since then, #5 has made its way to Julian Tamez who won RES at the SLNT TNT in 2005, no flutter I've heard about. And this is with the original 7/16 aluminum wing joiner.

So, if you built your HH in similiar fashion, cover it with ultracote and don't worry about it. Just use a dark color on the wing bottom cause Houston Hawks are difficult to see at 1600+ feet, where they like to fly. :)

Tommy

Hello Tommy,

nice to hear from you and appreciate your comment.
I miss flying with you guys, there is always a chance that I might show up at Grasslands, hopefully with the HH, so I can measure up with the "Competition". Again Thanks for the kit, this got my builders skill back up to snuff. It turned out very nicely. Will send you some pic's.

'Till next time.
Greetings from Cowboy Country :D

Erich

[schrederman]

Erich,

Post those pics on the web... We'd all like to see it.

Jack Womack

[erichj]

Erich,

Post those pics on the web... We'd all like to see it.

Jack Womack

Jack,
won't be long, got her "in the bones" and ready for the first photo shoot. Looking good so far.
Erich

[kzimmerm]

Call it brand loyalty ... but I have been using Monokote for probably 30 years or more. My latest effort will be covered in Monokote. I've has issues with it in the past but have always gone back to it.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Kurt

[rdwoebke]

. I'm kind of a rip snorter so I still use Monokote on my competition wings and stabs... unless someone can convince me that Ultracoat is as strong.


Depending on how the wing is designed, the covering could be negligable. As an example (I don't want to find the time to hunt this down, hunt it down yourself if you like) Dr. Drela originally specified Ultra Cote Lite on the Allegro Tip sections but Monocote on the center, for more torsional stiffness. Then, a few years later either here on rcgroups or more likely the Allegro Yahoo group, he revised that to indicate the stiffness contributed by the covering compared to the D sheeting on the Allegro is negligable and suggested people just cover the entire wing in UC Lite. I like UC lite. It is light and if you go with differnt colors top and bottom it looks translucent in the air.

Ryan

[erichj]

Digging through my box of covering, I found a couple more "brands" of covering, like "Super Monokote" from Top Flite and "AeroKote" from SIG. Doesn't mean that I will be using it, just curious what the comments are. The majority of you guys are definately in favor of Ultracote.
Again, Thanks for all the input. ;)
Erich J

[bobthenuke]

I learned covering with silkspan or silk and used Monokote since it was just a clear film that you painted. I'm really not all that handy with the plastic films, but prefer Ultrakote.

Having said that, I'm building a DLG right now that I intend to cover with Polyspan which I, personally, find to be the most stable of all the coverings. True, it requires dope to seal it, but when you're done there are no seams to come loose and however you set the warps (if any) in your wing or panel, it will stay that way until you choose to change it, no matter what the temperature or conditions.

...bob

[kentuckyglider]

Digging through my box of covering, I found a couple more "brands" of covering, like "Super Monokote" from Top Flite and "AeroKote" from SIG. Doesn't mean that I will be using it, just curious what the comments are. The majority of you guys are definately in favor of Ultracote.
Again, Thanks for all the input. ;)
Erich J

I think "Super Monocote" and "Monocote" are the same thing, but no one bothers with the "super". :rolleyes: I use Monocote and haven't had any problems, but I haven't tried anything else. Maybe I'm missing something...

KG

[hangerdude1]

I have found there are three types of Ultracoat available here in the U.S. All three of them have printed on the margin oracover. The solid colors are the heaviest, followed by the transparents and then there is one called Ultracoat Light which appears to be the same covering as used on the Ava and Topaz gliders from the Ukrain. It is much lighter than the other two and works great for stabs and rudders although I believe it is not as tortianally rigid as the first two types mentioned. I have purchased UltraCoat light from Horizon Hobbies and it only comes in the transparent colors.

Thermals,

Ken

[moonbase1]

I have used mica-film and despite the extra step of painting on Blasarite, I couldn't be happier with the results! I have a crashed GL wing that I used it on 7 years ago, and the covering is still tight as a drum. In fact, the reason I tried it in the first place is due to its super low weight, tear resistance, and the fact it doesn’t need to be re-shrunk.

Here's a question for ultracote and monocote lovers. Do these coverings really need to be re-shrunk? If so, how often?

I know that mica-film is really hard to get, and you can only get it in red and yellow, so I’ll bet it is on it's way out and won't be available much longer. I have read that the product has changed and isn’t what it used to be. For all those (few) devoted mica-film users, have you noticed a change?

[Frunobulax]

Aaah...Micafilm. Love the stuff. I scarf up every roll I can find at various swap meets. Some of the rolls may be the newer variety but some are downright ancient. I really haven't noticed any difference. I'll admit, though, that it took a while for me to get satisfactory results. It's limited "shrinkability" puts a premium on attaching it as free of wrinkles as possible. I also had marginal results using Balsarite as an adhesive. I solved this by using watered-down Titebond. Paint it on, let it dry and then iron on the Micafilm. Works like a charm and bonds like crazy! You can even wait several weeks before covering. The other issue is sealing the edges where the various pieces overlap. Just use the same watered-down Titebond applied with a small paintbrush.

It certainly IS tough. Best of all, if you should puncture it the puncture won't tear laterally like many of the mylar types.

[schrederman]

I have to shrink my Monokote and my Ultracoat pretty often... more often than I like. That's more my fault than the covering material's. I keep all my stuff in the garage where it gets very cold, and very hot. I would like to keep it inside, but the lady of the house says... no way Jose... When doing so, I am always sure to check for warps developing and I'm always sure to burn at least one hole in the covering material... Since I use mostly transparents, my Yardbird and Hawk both will soon appear to have the chicken pox... Gotta love that film...

Jack Womack

[LVsoaring]

Maybe you should kick that interloper Jose out of the house and put HIM in the garage. That would leave more room for your planes, wouldn't it? :D

[4444]

Stevens Aero now sells it: http://www.stevensaero.com/shop/home.php?cat=305

"UltraCote (Oracover)
Hangar 9 UltraCote® is a high tech polyester covering that features a unique multi temperature-controlled adhesive and shrinkage system, making it versatile and easy to apply. A patented polymerizing process permanently fuses the color to the polyester film covering, eliminating the possibilities of color-layer separation and permits repositioning the covering on your model. UltraCote's unique ability to both shrink and stretch make it superior to other coverings for going around tight curves and wingtips.

Weight: ~ 2.0-2.7 oz. / Sq. Yd. (Most Solids)
Weight: ~ 1.6 oz. / Sq. Yd. (Most Transparents)
Made in Germany
Multi-temp thermal shrink covering imported by Hangar 9."

"UltraCote Lite (Oralite)
Hangar 9 UltraCote® Lite is a high tech polyester covering that features a unique multi temperature-controlled adhesive and shrinkage system, making it versatile and easy to apply. A patented polymerizing process permanently fuses the color to the polyester film covering, eliminating the possibilities of color-layer separation and permits repositioning the covering on your model. UltraCote's unique ability to both shrink and stretch make it superior to other coverings for going around tight curves and wingtips.

Weight: ~1.1oz. / Sq. Yd.
Made in Germany
Multi-temp thermal shrink covering imported by Hangar 9."

[may fly]

Is Litespan that Hobby Lobby sells the same as Micafilm? I used Micafilm years ago and cannot find it anymore. It went on much better than Monocote, was lighter and more puncture resitant, but it didn't have the gloss that Monocote has. I'm also not sure if it has the torsional stiffness of Monocote. It looked more like a silkspan and dope finish. I have a couple of wings in the shop that were covered with it at least 20 years ago and they are still tight and not brittle. The liquid stuff that Coverite made to attach it worked fine for me. If I could find a dealer for Micafilm, I would go back to it in a heartbeat on most wings. But on wings with a lot of open structure like a Paragon for example, I would only use Monocote.
Bill

[moonbase1]

I may be wrong, but I believe that the fibers attached to the covering film (more like a random mesh than a weave) give micafilm more strength on the open bays then the other coverings. What is the opinion of those who have used both?

[LVsoaring]

Well, after 25+ years of modelling, and almost exclusively using Monokote except for a few tings here and there, I covered my Oly 650 yesterday with Ultracote. I don't have anything bad to say about Monokote, it works well if you're careful, but can be unforgiving. That having been said, after covering this latest project with Ultracote, I am a convert! Adios Monokote!

Rick

[schrederman]

Rick,

I was kind of feeling that way after covering my Yardbird with Ultracote. Having landed it only 5 times now, and having already repaired the covering in 2 places... I ain't so sure... I have gone back and added white electrical tape to the bottom nose area to protect the Ultracote. Wouldn't have had that with Monokote... Sky Bird had about 100 flights on it when I sold it and the Monokote on the bottom of the nose was barely worn. The Ultracote on my Dragonfly Strong is already showing stess, too. I'm sold on the ease of use, but the durability issues have me wondering.

Jack Womack

[erichj]

I have made up my mind, Ultracote it is, ordered a whole bunch of it at Horizon Hobby. Hope to start this week. The bird is ready!! Hang in there guys, pictures will follow.

Erich

[schrederman]

Erich, what are you covering?

Jack

[erichj]

Erich, what are you covering?

Jack


Got my HH all built! :D Covering wings, elevator stabs & rudder.

Erich

[schrederman]

Erich,

Be sure to post pics on the HH thread.

Jack

[erichj]

Erich,

Be sure to post pics on the HH thread.

Jack


Roger that !! ;)

[LVsoaring]

Rick,

I was kind of feeling that way after covering my Yardbird with Ultracote. Having landed it only 5 times now, and having already repaired the covering in 2 places... I ain't so sure... I have gone back and added white electrical tape to the bottom nose area to protect the Ultracote. Wouldn't have had that with Monokote... Sky Bird had about 100 flights on it when I sold it and the Monokote on the bottom of the nose was barely worn. The Ultracote on my Dragonfly Strong is already showing stess, too. I'm sold on the ease of use, but the durability issues have me wondering.

Jack Womack

Wish I had known that before I covered it! LOL That's ok though, life is a continuous learning curve. If operational experience with Ultracote shows a deficiency, I can always convert back! I'll let you know.

Rick

[schrederman]

I have a 100" project coming that I'm going to use Ultracote on. I'm not a Monokote Nazi... We'll see...

Jack

[LVsoaring]

It wouldn't happen to be a Sceptre would it? I have one of those just itchin' to be built!

[schrederman]

No, this is another of those original designs that seem to burn holes in my pea brain until they get put on paper...

A Sceptre is a nice model. My OFB Chuck in NC had one while he was in Houston, and flew it well.

JW

[erichj]

Finally got my Ultracote :p
Started applying transparent covering to the open bays, looking good so far, easy to work with.
Here some pic's of the "naked" bird. Going to look a whole lot different in a few days. Will keep 'ya posted.

Erich J