Conference vmszoo::rc

A great observation/precaution Jeff ...I made that same mistake a couple of 
years ago!  But, also....

A word of caution on ECONocoat... the stuff does NOT resist fuel nearly 
as well as monocoat.  I covered my SS40 with it and was NOT pleased with
it's durability after one season of moderate flying.  It "dings" easily and 
the plastic separates from the color when the slightest amount of fuel inches
under a seam.  The stuff is a dream to put on... takes the corners very 
nicely, etc, BUT be sure to get a coat of Hobby Poxy or equivalent on ALL the
seams, particularly around the engine compartment on the SS's.


/Brian

    Guess you has a sliced finger now ! Screwdriver slipped while
    tightening the carb barrel screw - the one that screws into the groove.
    Anyway. I was just looking over a few old notesand say this one. 
    
    Over the past while I have used water with a little washing up liquid
    in it. A little on the surface and on the trim (after peeling off the
    backing) and one can position anything (letters, logo's etc) with ease.
    The water is squeegeed (?) out and whats left evapourates. You are left
    with a perfectly positioned piece of trim. I just completed a two wings
    each with about 90 pieces of trim (multi-color checker board, lettering
    etc). 
    
    Also I have come across 3M adhesive film that sign writers use for
    decorating oil trucks etc. If it can withstand being put on trucks it
    might be just as good on the models - advantage is that it sticks a
    whole lot better and does not appear to need sealing along the edges.
    Anyway I am trying a piece at the moment on the acro-wot where their
    tends to be oil etc. With the traditional trim and sealing, the
    sealer (solar-lac, forget if this is the right one, pinkinsh in color)
    tends to attract dirt after a season or so.
    
    The test piece has been on now a about five or so sessions and looks
    fine. Another advantage is that is available in the PANTONE color range
    so we have many, many colors rather than a half a dozen. I think it
    available by the meter (ready for computer cutting with tractor feed
    holes along the edges. Not too sure of the price but is cheaper.
    
    Now if I only had a computer controlled blade to cut the trim out ! The
    local sign writer can take graphics files and produce the finished
    trim.
    
    my 2 cents worth !
    
    Alt-E.

    I need to add some color to the bottom of some wings that are obechi
    over white foam covered with white ORACOVER.
    
    My local hobby shop talked me into going with a TOP FLIGHT product
    called "TRIM SOLVENT".  This stuff allows you to adhere film covering
    to film covering without heat.  The solvent activates the adhesive
    on the trim, sticking it to the covered surface, presumably without
    bubbles.
    
    He assured me that it was compatible with ORACOVER.  After reading
    Jeff's experience in the base note, I do not want any surprises.
    
    Has anyone used this stuff?
    
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jim

    I have applied regular Monocote and Ultracote over itself with no
    problem using windex spray.  Lightly apply the windex, apply the trim
    piece, using a rubber squeege to remove any air and the windex.  I then
    hit it with the iron on a fiarly low setting.  I do not get any bubbles
    this way.
    
    Charlie
     

I have seen a plane done this way with no heat used and was so impressed 
that I bought some myself. This was monocoat over monocoat. It takes about 
24 hours for it to set the adhesive totally. I plan to use it on my US60 
when I get to that stage as it gave a beautiful scratch free surface.

  I have used it and it works pretty good except
that the color comes off of the monocote you are trying
to adhere to the plane. This makes for messy clean up
especially if you have to position the piece. It leaves
smears of color.


			Larry

    Windex doesn't do that - but you have to apply some heat.  The secret
    to applying trim is getting all of the air out.
    
    Charlie
    

    The color comes off of Monokote because the color pigment is in the
    adhesive. For other coverings, like Ultracoat, the color is in the
    plastic backing so it's less likely to separate. I've found Ultracoat
    MUCH better behaved than Monokote when placing covering over covering.
    
    Dave
    

    I've also had better luck with Ultracoat except for the dark blue which
    is TERRIBLE.  It bubbles all over the place.  My Conquest wing is a
    complete mess on the bottom where the blue is.  White and Red look
    great still.
    
    Charlie