I'm getting ready to cover my first plane, a Windrider Bee. I have a question about putting on the colored tape. I'd like to put some kind of design or pattern on the bottom of the wing, perhaps chevrons. Is it ok to just cover the plane with a sloid color, then use cut out pieces of tape to create a design? I would do the same on the left & right side of the bottom so the weight would be even. Or, when using tape, do you need to work the design in as you are taping. It seems to me that the colored tape should be complete pieces from the center of the plane to the wingtips for added strength & durability. But maybe not....?

Thanks,

David

There is no reason at all not to tape the whole plane in one color and then add trim.

Yes, make the first color out of long continuous pieces, then add trim color.

I would also heat shrink the first covering layer before adding the trim color - heat shrinking adds strength and rigidity, just be careful and keep the heat gun moving!

Many people do not know that you can heat shrink covering tape, but it works nicely!

Keep in mind that when using this tape it is thin and slightly transparent - if you put light colors over light colors they may not show up as you like...

Go here for photos - most of these were heat shrunk:

http://hobiehawk.com/Zagiphotos.html

I would use a lighter color for the base and a darker color for the design. Dark colors bleed through the lighter shades and looks horrible.