Solartex

[Lester Nicholson]

I have 2 rolls of solartex that is supposed to be a self stickin heat shrinkable fabric that is paintable. Do any of you have any experience w/this product. I have had these for many years and have never used any - don't even remember how I came by it but would like to know how to apply and how it stands up to time and to paint. Stuff looks real light and want to use it on a Pathfinder. Recomendations and advice will be appreciated. Thanks.    Nick

[phil myers]

Ok Nick, heres my 2 bobs worth.. only used it once, last year, on my S1Ringmaster .if anything its heavier than most iron on coverings but is very very tough.. it has been used to cover wings in microlites and other small full size aircraft... its easier to use than most and you'd have to go some to burn thro' it, and it will add a lot of strength (at the expence of weight) Many of my flying buddies here in the UK will use nothing else.. Go for it!Phil 

[Jim Kraft]

I covered my Lazy Ace bipe with Solartex about 25 years ago, and it is still going strong. It is the easiest to use of all of the iron on fabrics that I have found. It is a little on the heavy side, and does not take butyrate dope to well. I think it would be fine if you used nitrate for the first few coats, and then switched to butyrate. Since I covered mine with the translucent yellow, I just clear doped it. I have seen planes covered with it that were sprayed with polyurethane clear that looked really good.

[rustler]

I believe it's fuel proof as-is, so no need to dope/fuel proof unless you want to. Check the instructions. This would save some weight, although the finish is rather rough, probably giving a fine turbulator effect?

[Mike Keville]

Used it on the wing of this CLC Galaxy in Kuwait, 1992, since it was the only thing available at the time (included with a large shipment of modeling goodies from the late Dennis Lien).  Yes, it was a bit heavier than other options, but was nearly bulletproof and didn't require any type of topcoat.

Model began with .15 Diesel power (some obscure Eastern-bloc thing)...later converted to McCoy .19 glow.  Great little flyer.

[John Stiles]

If it's anything like the modern day "World Tex" it's tough and shrinks tight as a drum......I have a plane covered in O.D. green, and it really looks great[no dope or paint added]. It actually looks like silk. I wish it was easy to get......I'm sold on it.

[Bill Mohrbacher]

http://www.solarfilm.co.uk/

Here is SolarFilm's website.  They actually make many different films, Balsa USA carries many of them.  They have been in the iron on business nearly as long or as long as MonoKote.  Their prepainted products are all fuel proof.  They produce quality products.

[Todd Mollerup]

Here is one I built about 10 years ago with Solartex and dope. I did have to use nitrate as a base before the butyrate but there is nothing stronger. Compared to monokote on an average size plane it will add a few ounces.