Author Topic: Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises (Read 1481 times)

Kim Mortimore · « **on:** April 04, 2008, 03:49:43 PM »

Following up on the Superfil "blue stuff" fillet discussion, and Allen Brickhaus' Stunt column in the May FM, the people who sell Superfil also sell a Poly Fiber Covering System, including paint, apparently vinyl-based, advertised primarily for big r/c and full-scale planes. Their website is stits.com.

Has anyone tried using this on stunt planes? It appears that they do not sell the covering material themselves. The website refers to "today's polyester fabrics". I'm curious if there are woven polyester fabrics (as opposed to tissues) that are intended for modeling use and aren't too heavy for our purposes. I like the idea of woven fabric covering, but the wide variety of types and shrink characteristics of silk, and the experienced handling required are a bit daunting.

Kim Mortimore

Tom Hagler · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2008, 05:56:50 AM »

I've been using the Stits/Poly Fiber system on full size planes for years. It's great for what it is, but I'm skeptical that it can be done light enough and shiny enough to please the stunt crowd. Its main attributes are 1. Doesn't support combustion (I hate it when my Aeronca Champ catches fire...a serious concern with the Ceconite/butyrate dope system) 2. doesn't continue shrinking, which dope does 3. really easy to repair, as long as the "Poly Tone" paint is used. Downsides: Poly Tone is satin finish. You can paint with catalyzed enamels, like Aero Thane, but you lose the repairability. The fabric is Polyester. Sig Coverall is a lightweight version for model use. I have used Coverall/ poly fiber on r/c scale models that looked great, but probably too heavy a system for competitive stunt planes.

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2008, 11:31:47 AM »

Quote from: Kim Mortimore on April 04, 2008, 03:49:43 PM

Following up on the Superfil "blue stuff" fillet discussion, and Allen Brickhaus' Stunt column in the May FM, the people who sell Superfil also sell a Poly Fiber Covering System, including paint, apparently vinyl-based, advertised primarily for big r/c and full-scale planes. Their website is stits.com.

Has anyone tried using this on stunt planes? It appears that they do not sell the covering material themselves. The website refers to "today's polyester fabrics". I'm curious if there are woven polyester fabrics (as opposed to tissues) that are intended for modeling use and aren't too heavy for our purposes. I like the idea of woven fabric covering, but the wide variety of types and shrink characteristics of silk, and the experienced handling required are a bit daunting.

Kim Mortimore

Kim,
I'm going to use, but haven't yet, Poly Span on my next model. If it works as well as everyone that has used it told me it does, I will use it forever.
The benefits are that you cannot punch holes in it as easily as tissue, or even silk. You can apply it over open bays with a 1/2 to 1/4 inch overlap patch after covering all of the wood with tissue or carbon veil. I have heard of a four-way wrench bouncing off of it with no damage. Whitely crashed his USA-1 and said the wing covering was an unbroken bag full of broken balsa.
Give this a try as it is lighter than Poly Fibre and will accept regular dope.
Chris...

Kim Mortimore · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2008, 08:13:01 PM »

Thanks for the info guys.

Tom,
Yeah, I hate it when any full-size aiplane I fly in catches fire, too. It just ruins your whole day!

You say "...2. doesn't continue shrinking, which dope does 3. really easy to repair, as long as the "Poly Tone" paint is used. Downsides: Poly Tone is satin finish." A few questions, if you don't mind:

Does it shrink somewhat? Enough to replace dope on open wing bays? How's the odor level compared with dope? Can the clear be painted on with a brush and the color sprayed with the same sort of rig as dope? Fuel-proof to our alky/nitro stuff?

OK, nuff questions.
I actually like satin finish--especially for Old Time and Classic.

Kim

Tom Hagler · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2008, 06:15:44 AM »

Quote from: Kim Mortimore on April 07, 2008, 08:13:01 PM

Thanks for the info guys.

You say "...2. doesn't continue shrinking, which dope does 3. really easy to repair, as long as the "Poly Tone" paint is used. Downsides: Poly Tone is satin finish." A few questions, if you don't mind:

Does it shrink somewhat? Enough to replace dope on open wing bays?

The only shrinking in the Poly Fiber system is done with a calibrated iron, when the fabric is bare, before any coatings are put on. It tightens up over open bays just fine, like any heat shrink material. None of the paints (Poly Tone, Aerothane) shrink at all.

How's the odor level compared with dope?

Has a strong smell. Some people find it annoying. I like it. Different than dope. When I'm covering tail feathers or wing panels out in the shop, the girls in the office will know it right away.

Can the clear be painted on with a brush and the color sprayed with the same sort of rig as dope? Fuel-proof to our alky/nitro stuff?

I dunno. I've only used it on full size planes, and we never used a clearcoat. On my R/C models I switched to Rust Oleum for color (because I don't have the FAA saying I can't!)

Hag

OK, nuff questions.
I actually like satin finish--especially for Old Time and Classic.

Kim

MikeyPratt · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2008, 10:10:42 AM »

Quote from: Tom Hagler on April 05, 2008, 05:56:50 AM

I've been using the Stits/Poly Fiber system on full size planes for years. It's great for what it is, but I'm skeptical that it can be done light enough and shiny enough to please the stunt crowd. Its main attributes are 1. Doesn't support combustion (I hate it when my Aeronca Champ catches fire...a serious concern with the Ceconite/butyrate dope system) 2. doesn't continue shrinking, which dope does 3. really easy to repair, as long as the "Poly Tone" paint is used. Downsides: Poly Tone is satin finish. You can paint with catalyzed enamels, like Aero Thane, but you lose the repairability. The fabric is Polyester. Sig Coverall is a lightweight version for model use. I have used Coverall/ poly fiber on r/c scale models that looked great, but probably too heavy a system for competitive stunt planes.

Hey Guys,
I've used Sig Koverall on many C/L models (Classic & OTS) and it does work really well. My polywog Chief and Dragon were both covered with it and they received many complaments and awards. It weights slightly more than polyspan but is really easy to use. It goes around corners good and fills quickly with only 4 coats of 50/50 dope (Litecoat) then switch to color then seal with clear. Some of the weave will still show but it looks really good that way. I used one coat of sanding sealer and wet sanded it to completely fill the weave. Also very tough stuff.

As far as the Stits paint goes, way to heavy for models except very large R/C models.

Later,

Mikey

Tom Hagler · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2008, 05:47:32 PM »

Mikey;
What you are describing is the "Ceconite" process in the fullsize airplane world. We put silver dope on before the color as a UV block, but that isn't really necessary for airplanes that spend most of their lives in the garage. I use Koverall the same way for scale "fabric" model airplanes. I also like the look of fabric weave below the shine. A WW1 job or a Champ or Cub just looks better that way than with plastic iron-on or super-glossy painted finish.

Hag

MikeyPratt · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2008, 11:09:32 AM »

Quote from: Tom Hagler on April 08, 2008, 05:47:32 PM

Mikey;
What you are describing is the "Ceconite" process in the fullsize airplane world. We put silver dope on before the color as a UV block, but that isn't really necessary for airplanes that spend most of their lives in the garage. I use Koverall the same way for scale "fabric" model airplanes. I also like the look of fabric weave below the shine. A WW1 job or a Champ or Cub just looks better that way than with plastic iron-on or super-glossy painted finish.

Hag

Hi Hag,
Yes Sig Koverall is a light weight version of Ceconite but no need for the silver blocking coat....lol

Later,
Mikey

Author Topic: Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises (Read 1481 times)

Kim Mortimore

Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises

Tom Hagler

Re: Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises

Chris McMillin

Re: Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises

Kim Mortimore

Re: Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises

Tom Hagler

Re: Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises

MikeyPratt

Re: Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises

Tom Hagler

Re: Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises

MikeyPratt

Re: Stits/Poly Fiber by F & M Enterprises