stunthanger.com
Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Tim Chenevert on December 17, 2017, 04:40:52 PM
-
So I am starting to finish my Sig Twister and just used Monokote for the first time and it was really nice to work with. Last plane I built was tissue and dope over 40 years ago. Anyway, the rudder came out nice so I went back and bought some yellow for the fuselage but didn’t notice that it was the Econokote brand. Is this brand as easy to work with as Monokote? It says to use low temp on the iron. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Tim
-
Econo cote was made i believe for covering directly over bare foam. It has less tensile strength than monocote. It might be easier to work around compound curves though, and it's true that you don't need the tensile strength as much on the fuse.
If it were my plane, I'd stick to monocote. Especially for the subgroup and tail pieces.
-
I can't speak for modern Econocoat, but the 40 year old stuff I used to cover my "get back into CL" plane had adhesive that turned to goo in castor oil residue.
If it's 'lectric then carry on, and don't hold it up to the exhaust stream of a slimer. If it's a slime engine -- recover!
-
This is what I am wanting to cover the fuselage on my Twister with. It is definitely a fuel engine. I just wasn’t looking at the name just the color as my LHS was closing for the day....Tim
-
If it is unopened, you probably can take it back if you then buy Monokote as it is more expensive. The dealer should be happy with this.
If not, go ahead and use the Econokote, but brush a thinned coat of epoxy over the seams. Epoxy can be thinned with denatured alcohol, mek, acetone or lacquer thinner. What the fuel can’t reach, it can’t turn to goo!
-
Stick with Monokote, I found that Econokote will separate the color portion from the adhesive and is not nearly as long lasting.
-
Econokote isn't fuel proof. Been there, done that.
-
I liked Econocote because of the lower heat required. I could use it over bare foam. I never had a fuel-proofing issue. Econo is a lot more fuel proof than "fuel proof" dope.
-
Econo is a lot more fuel proof than "fuel proof" dope.
I wonder if this changes with the age of the stuff? The stuff that I bought in the 70's to cover gliders with, then didn't use for decades because it was ugly (and then used because it was ugly), sure had glue that turned to goo when the exhaust slime got on it.
-
Tim get ahold of John. I think he covered his twister wing with Econokote.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
-
Iron-on covering of the fuselage is a losing deal in the long run, no matter what you use. You need an epoxy-type paint in the engine room.
-
My monokote covered triplane disagrees. It's my oldest control line plane (that I built) and still looks like the day I finished it. There are methods that I believe do well in fuel proofing for monokote covered planes.
-
My monokote covered triplane disagrees. It's my oldest control line plane (that I built) and still looks like the day I finished it. There are methods that I believe do well in fuel proofing for monokote covered planes.
Gee, that’s great. Don’t leave us hanging, or is it one of those “secret techniques”? If you can keep a film finish in good condition long term, it is well worth sharing!
-
Gee, that’s great. Don’t leave us hanging, or is it one of those “secret techniques”? If you can keep a film finish in good condition long term, it is well worth sharing!
You saw my little fella. I thought you grabbed all my secrets from the tiny 207! Haha
-
I use Monokote, Econokote and Solarfilm on all my aircraft and as yet to have any fuel issues on the covering.
My old F3A pattern models from teh early/mid 90's were covered with the films and they still look great to this date.
They are nitro powered ones by the way.
Carl
-
I returned the Econokote yesterday and got the Monokote. This is my first time using a product like this and wanted to keep everything the same. I do like the Econokote yellow better than the Monokote though. Thanks, Tim
-
That's a good choice. I had very poor results with Econokote, like many others, the color/adhesive separated at the edges.
Brett
-
Tim, that was a good choice. Like dope it doesn't pay to mix brands, ask me how I know some time. H^^
-
All the Monokote has been applied to the Twister and not bad for my first attempt. I really like applying it using the iron to tack and the hot air gun to finish. Assembly time now! Tim
-
It's a good idea to make sure the monocote is attached to every rib. Makes the wing stronger torsionally.