I'm recovering my 2015 El Diablo and want to use Micafilm. I tried this before using Balsarite to attach it and it was a disaster, give up and did K&S silk. The silk was fine for 7 years then just started splitting for no reason. Did some patches but last fall at the KOI it split twice and now needs recover. I had read that some have used Mod Podge with Polyspan and SLC and was wondering if anyone has tried it with the Micafilm particularly over flat fixed flaps (the El D has those big sweeping flaps)? This is where I had trouble the first time as it would stick and wrinkle and not allow repositioning.

With the Mod Podge do you apply the MP first, let it dry, then iron on the covering? Also is the Mod Pod just watered down White Glue?

Best,   DennisT

I'm recovering my 2015 El Diablo and want to use Micafilm. I tried this before using Balsarite to attach it and it was a disaster, give up and did K&S silk. The silk was fine for 7 years then just started splitting for no reason. Did some patches but last fall at the KOI it split twice and now needs recover. I had read that some have used Mod Podge with Polyspan and SLC and was wondering if anyone has tried it with the Micafilm particularly over flat fixed flaps (the El D has those big sweeping flaps)? This is where I had trouble the first time as it would stick and wrinkle and not allow repositioning.

With the Mod Podge do you apply the MP first, let it dry, then iron on the covering? Also is the Mod Pod just watered down White Glue?

Best,   DennisT

Dennis, let me pass on my recent experiences.  I have used it to attach Silkspan, carbon veil and as an undercoat to MonoKote.  It seems to work best when no heat is involved.  It doubles the adhesiveness of MonoKote but at a price.  It seems to expand and cause all kinds of bumps.  If you put it on with a gun it goes on well until you have a joint under the covering.  Simply put it sticks too well.  I would not use it again under any non-porous covering.  On my Endgame build I planned on painting the fuselage and applied several coats of mod podge, sanding just like it was dope.  It was fully filled and smooth silk. Then at the last minute I was forced to cover the fuselage with MonoKote.  When the Mod Poge heated it exposed the grain.  It looks great from 5' and crap any closer.  It is not a Nats plane so I left it.

Ken

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Thanks for the inputs. Micafilm I felt is like polyspan with SLC over it. Problem is that it is sealed and whatever adhesive is used there could be gassing as it is heated to activated. Seems letting any adhesive sit and dry for what a weekish? Would this reduce the bubbles? How about using the old TopFlite woodpecker to prep the wood. Could this reduce the bubbles?

Best,    DennisT