ReKoating a Plane

[Ryan Taylor]

So I'm getting my Tutor II all ready for the warmer weather.

Recently finished stripping it, now it's time to put on some MonoKoat.
However, as I was stripping the plane some residue was left on parts of the wood by the MonoKoat.

I have some denatured alcohol to strip it off, but I was wondering any methods out there that would be more successful?

Here are some pictures of it:

Thanks!

Ryan T.

[Curare]

The best way I've found is to get the cheapest packing tape you can find, and apply it over the stuck monokote.

Give it a good rub to ensure maximum adhesion and rip off the tape!

You're relying on the packing tape to have better adhesion to the kote than it does to the balsa.

Cheap easy AND effective!

[Perry Rose]

I have used acetone with great results.

[Steve Riebe]

I'm also re-covering a plane right now and am very interested in methods for stripping. In my case the old covering left color soaked into the balsa. Xylene, goof off, and laquer thinner all were effective in breaking down this residue, but also soaked the color further into the wood. I at least got to the point where I could sand without the sandpaper getting instantly loaded.  I have given up getting the plane to look like fresh balsa, and have picked out ultracote colors that are solid enough to cover the staining. I bought orange and yellow which did not cover, but cream and red are doing the job.  I have an e-mail in to horizon hobbies asking for a list of Ultracote colors that cover and are not semi-transparent, 4 days and no response yet...

[Paul Taylor]

Looks good Ryan.

Use the heat gun and a razor blade after putting the DNA on it. Careful with if you go with acetone as it could remove glue joints.

Keep us posted.
Dad