I have used Monokote since it made it first appearance in the mid 60's. However, since the Great Planes takeover something has changed. The Monokote now just doesn't shrink very well and it makes covering large parts diffcult and small parts enraging! It also does not negotiate around curved edges like it use to, I used to be able to feel it expand as I heated it, but its minimal now. It also takes so much concentrated heat now, I'm afraid I'll melt the foam cares in my wing and still have loose areas. I've used a few other products, but Monokote always worked for me so I never made a permanent change, I need something new now!

Please, no "how to's", I've been contracted to cover 1/3 scale aerobatics models for other flyers, the quality of my work and experience level are not the issue.

What is the best film available now? I know, pretty general question, but I'd like to know what others are experiencing. I'm talking to you guys that are good with films and have used allot of the competitive brands. Is Ultracoat the way to go now?

Thanks,

I'm probably going to use up what Monokote I have and probably not buy any more. Every Monokote plane I have has issues with the covering loosing up (yes I did try and stretch it as much as I could when I put it on). Even just sitting in my shop, one day I'll tighten everything up then a few days later I look over and it's all wrinkled and loose again. Covered my first airplane with Ultracote last spring and it still looks like it did the day I finished it..

I like a few things about Monokote, for example using windex to apply trim. It works with Ultracote but not as well. Monokote is available in more colors, it's shinner and maybe a little tougher but right now I'm thinking Ultracote..

My biggest beef with Monocote has always been that different colors handle differently.  Some seem to be thicker, some stretch/shrink better than others, and sometimes the same color from batch to batch behave differently.

Time to change...