Ink Lines on Monokote?

[Paul Taylor]

I did a search looking for a answer and did not find anything.

I found post about links and control lines and a few on ink lines but nothing on monokote and ink lines.

This is a electric plane so no fuel involved.
Anybody know if this can be done without putting a clean coat on? If a clean coat is needed, what type of clear?
Thanks

[Bruce Shipp]

Allen Goff taught me how to do panel lines with monokote. Use the Top Flight Smartstripe cutter.  I’ve used down to 1/16 wide.  Gray or silver makes a nice contrast.  Easy to do with a bit of practice and mistakes are even easier to fix.
I found them to be surprisingly durable.

[Tim Wescott]

The closest thing to ink lines that I know would work would be oil-based enamel (like Rust-o-leum, if they haven't changed their recipe), applied with a striping brush or roller.

Or just about any sort of trim tape in the size you want, whether you make your own from Monocoat or get rolls of it pre-made.

[Ken Culbertson]

If you can find one of these on the bay they work fine.

https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/top/toptopq2510.htm

I "clear coated" with Rustoleum but almost anything works.

Ken

[Crist Rigotti]

I strip out Monokote in 1/64 to 1/32 widths and use the strips as panel lines. 

[Tim Wescott]

... This is a electric plane so no fuel involved. ...

I wouldn't count on that, at least if you're sociable.

Putting aside any hypotheticals, I once had a very embarrassed friend of mine come up to me at a contest and say "I just accidentally squirted fuel all over an electric guy's plane".  He'd been fueling up and one of his lines came loose, leaving a good healthy splash of slimy goodness on the other guy's plane.

Between that and folks aiming their running engine away from the pits and missing, I'd at least try for fuel resistant, if not day-in, day-out fuel proof.

[Lauri Malila]

.

[fred cesquim]

Paul,

Just search for some of Fred Cesquims building threads. L

]
thanks for the comment Lauri.

Paul, i have been doing that for a few decades, and tried several types of pen and paints. so far the best result is the good old draft pen with india ink ( i mix my own grey color as they shows better over white or dark backgrounds, better grip to the monokote and constant line thickness. Unfortunately they will start to wipe off whith handling or cleaning ( even with a damp water cloth) as the adhesion to monoke is not so strong. I have teste the old top flite pen, results are not so good and if something other than water hit it, will start to smear.
if you want a good lasting result, spray a thin clear coat and you will benefit of having the ink lines lasting forever and the monokote will not peel and will prevent colors from fading due to the UV clear coat resistance. it´s just a few grams of weight added but a striking looking plane that will last longer.
both models here have hybrid finish with monokote, painted trim colors and ink lines, clear coated (wings & tail, fuselages are fully painted). One e-power other is glow.
hope it works for you

[Dennis Toth]

Fred,
You have our attention, beautiful job. What clear coat are you using that sticks to the film covering?

Best,   DennisT

[fred cesquim]

Fred,
You have our attention, beautiful job. What clear coat are you using that sticks to the film covering?

Best,   DennisT

thak you Dennis!
i use a regular local "sherwin williams code 8937 " 2 part auto clear coat. not sure if you have in USA.
the only "extra" tgis one have is more solid mass so the coats are a bit thicker than usual, that open space for polishing, but you have to be careful not to add too much due to weight build up.

[Paul Taylor]

]
thanks for the comment Lauri.

Paul, i have been doing that for a few decades, and tried several types of pen and paints. so far the best result is the good old draft pen with india ink ( i mix my own grey color as they shows better over white or dark backgrounds, better grip to the monokote and constant line thickness. Unfortunately they will start to wipe off whith handling or cleaning ( even with a damp water cloth) as the adhesion to monoke is not so strong. I have teste the old top flite pen, results are not so good and if something other than water hit it, will start to smear.
if you want a good lasting result, spray a thin clear coat and you will benefit of having the ink lines lasting forever and the monokote will not peel and will prevent colors from fading due to the UV clear coat resistance. it´s just a few grams of weight added but a striking looking plane that will last longer.
both models here have hybrid finish with monokote, painted trim colors and ink lines, clear coated (wings & tail, fuselages are fully painted). One e-power other is glow.
hope it works for you

Wow Fred. You have totally raised the bar on Monokote finishes. 👍🏼👍🏼

[fred cesquim]

Wow Fred. You have totally raised the bar on Monokote finishes. 👍🏼👍🏼

thank you Paul, have been honing this method for quite a while, much to brazilians dislike as they put monokote on the list of "devil finishes" 
i really like the easy and fast method and lightness.
had some trouble at the beginning, but now i´ve sorted out hot to paint over the monokote
few more planes ( only flying surfaces are monokote)all painted fuselage

[Paul Taylor]

👍🏼👍🏼

[fred cesquim]

one thing i forgot to mention while painting or making ink lines over monokote ( i gave up using ultracote due to the delamination that occurs after some 5-8 years).
Dull the monokote with a 1200 wet sandpaper, so your paint have more grip to the shiny base. the marks will disappear after the clear coat.

[John Carrodus]

Hi paul
I use a pen on monokote and have done so for a few years now. I use a mixture of nail polish and automotive clear coat and brush it on over the penwork. Tedious but worth it. Drag and roll the brush. ( you will soon catch on)

Another way which is fiddly, is to cut a slot about 200mm long and 5 mm wide in a thin piece of cardboard and dust lightly with automotive clear.

A third method is to dust the whole plane in a light coat of clear, or several coats. If you spray from a distance the clear flash dries to a semigloss which is great for military colour schemes.

Use clear very lightly on well dried and cured ink. I leave ink for several days before clear coating. BE CAREFUL with the first coats - be lighyt as the ink is prone to running until sealed with one or two light coats of clear.

Some photos attached
Cheers
John Carrodus

[John Carrodus]

Photos I have attached