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Author Topic: Paint under transparent monokote  (Read 1455 times)

Online Paul Taylor

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Paint under transparent monokote
« on: January 31, 2025, 05:26:45 PM »
Still thinking about doing some transparent monokote. I was wondering if I could paint (rattle can) the LE and TE sheeting and cover with Transparent.

Anyone have any experience?
Thanks

Paul
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As my coach and mentor Jim Lynch use to say every time we flew together - “We are making memories

Offline peter jurczyk

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2025, 05:28:50 AM »
The paint will just bubble and kinda like smear at least that's what happened to me. Plus the paint gets slippery as is not sticky to the monocote

Online Ken Culbertson

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2025, 06:55:44 AM »
I have had moderate success using ModPodge under MonoKote.  It has close to the same adhesive properties as BalsaRite and it comes in colors. 
I use it mainly just on the fuselage to help hold down the MonoKote on the concave curves.   Give it a day or two to dry (water based) before sanding the fuzz off and dry wipe it thoroughly after sanding.  I have had the "toad warts" that Peter alluded to if I didn't let the ModPodge dry enough.  If you can find a color close to the monokote you might avoid the glue smearing, which it will do, showing as much.

Ken
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Offline Perry Rose

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2025, 08:09:39 AM »
One of the Ehling (sp) brothers did a ringmaster with clear monokote. The wing structure (ribs, spars sheeting) was colored somehow.
I may be wrong but I doubt it.
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Offline Dave Harmon

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2025, 08:38:17 AM »
One of the Ehling (sp) brothers did a ringmaster with clear monokote. The wing structure (ribs, spars sheeting) was colored somehow.

I've thought about trying this but have not so far.
Dying the wood might work ok without smearing because there is no glue....
Wipe it on like a stain....or use a stain...food coloring/alcohol in a spray bottle...
Interesting idea...

Offline Motorman

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2025, 11:26:11 AM »
I tried coloring wood with Rit dye, it did not go well at all.

MM :)
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Online Dave Rigotti

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2025, 01:28:01 PM »
WIDE tipped magic marker.....
Dave Rigotti
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Offline Dave Harmon

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2025, 04:32:53 PM »
WIDE tipped magic marker.....

I tried that...several times....the marker bleeds and shows through the back of white film covering....might be ok for clear covering though.
I had been coloring servo and engine compartments with black marker....bled through the covering.
I changed to colored butyrate and no bleed....then painted with thin clear epoxy. (BSI Finish Coat)

Offline john e. holliday

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2025, 09:35:40 PM »
I did a couple of Small profile planes using magic markers for color in areas I wanted a color.   No problem with transparent MonoKote staying stuck or smearing.   Getting the color solid enough was time consuming. D>K
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Online Paul Taylor

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2025, 06:52:20 AM »
Well I think this changes my direction.

Thanks for the input.
Paul
AMA 842917

As my coach and mentor Jim Lynch use to say every time we flew together - “We are making memories

Offline Dan Berry

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2025, 08:10:35 AM »
You can thin ink with dope thinner and spray it.
Dykem layout fluid works but your color palette is quite limited there..

Offline Perry Rose

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2025, 02:02:30 PM »
The coating needs to be non aqueous.
I may be wrong but I doubt it.
I wouldn't take her to a dog fight even if she had a chance to win.
The worst part of growing old is remembering when you were young.

Online Ken Culbertson

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Re: Paint under transparent monokote
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2025, 03:58:08 PM »
The coating needs to be non aqueous.
Why is that?  I use ModPodge which is water based
AMA 15382
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