Don't know if this is the right forum category for this, but here goes.  A few years ago, I read (can't remember if it was on the internet, or in a magazine) that polyester dress lining can be used for covering material.  From what I remember it is supposed to be quite strong, heat shrinkable, and fairly easy to fill and paint.  Has anyone here used this material; how did it work; what are the land mines, etc.?

Glen Wearden

Glen, I have posted on here my use of poly-ester fabric from the local fabric store.  It used to be called jacket lining material.  It comes in a vast array of colors.  Like any covering it takes practice and patience.  The price I paid the last time I bought some was $2.99 a running yard that is 44 inches wide.  I used 6 yards on a SIG Senior Kadet back when I was playing with the dark side.
Anyway, go visit the fabric store and go to the polyester department.  Yes there are some bolts that is a heavier weave than others.  Pick the color you like and buy what ever amount you might need plus some extra.  Get a can of Stix-it or Balsa Right.  Coat the perimeter of the area you are going to cover.  Now cut material a little over size and grab your Monokote or similar iron and iron the material down pulling tight.  Try to eliminate the wrinkles as much as you can.  It is like handling dry silk.  Iron the first panel on.  Now here is a little secret to fabric, where it is going to overlalp put a coat of the heat sensitive glue over the area.
Once all panels and/or surfaces are covered, go over it with the iron.  Just get it tight.  Grab your clear dope and start painting.  If it is nitrate don't worry if the covering sags on the first few coats.  Even with butyrate I have even experienced sagging on the first few coats.  After the dope has et for a day or two you can take the iron over the covering or use a heat gun.   In the planes I have covered by the time the 6th or 8th coat of buty rate the  covering is tight.  Then grapics and more dope.  DOC Holliday

I used a really light rayon material once. Purchased at a material store. I was being drug along by my spouse and noticed the stuff. Incredibly sheer and very, very light. Worked OK.

Hey Doc,

I covered my Kadet Sr. with Coverite, the iron on fabric version (Coverall?), and finished it with white Formula U (spray cans). Sprayed it in the garage, and the fumes ran us out of the house! The little wife wasn't too happy about that. 

Flew the Kadet for ten years. Still have the wing in the garage, and it looks like new! The Kadet was heavy, but that finishing combination was really durable, just not crash proof. 

Bill