News:



  • May 23, 2024, 11:11:27 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: Polyester Covering Help  (Read 1894 times)

Offline Chancey Chorney

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *****
  • Posts: 621
Polyester Covering Help
« on: November 14, 2015, 06:45:53 PM »
Hi all again. So today I went and picked up a couple of pieces of 100% polyester 'dress lining' to try out on my newest build. I have some silkspan on its way, but have that reserved for a special ship upcoming next. Anyways, is there a 'right and wrong' direction for applying the fabric? I know that silkspan has a 'weave' and to apply it correctly. So, what I am asking is, one piece is .3 meters long by 45" wide I believe. So, do I put it on with the 45" part spanwise, or the .3 meters spanwise? Thank you.

Offline Chancey Chorney

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *****
  • Posts: 621
Re: Polyester Covering Help
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2015, 06:57:39 PM »
Ok. Just snapped a couple of pictures for reference in case I was not clear before. The plane sitting on the fabric is neither getting covered with this material, or the silkspan. Plane being covered is a built up wing 1/2a model. Anyways, the question is, do I apply the fabric to the wing as pictured in the picture, or opposite of the way the plane is? The width of the 'bolt' is top to bottom, and the width as cut is left to right for reference. Thank you again.

Chancey

I will be trying Minwax Polycrylic, and butyrate dope as well. Just to try out both ways, and I do have both on hand.

Offline Chancey Chorney

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *****
  • Posts: 621
Re: Polyester Covering Help
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2015, 05:05:54 PM »
Ok. So I built a little square with separations in it and put on 2 coats of Minwax Polycrylic (not water based) on the frame and let set up last night. This morning before work, I applied a layer of polyester dress lining with one coat of the polycrylic. I came home and it was dry. So, I was very skeptical as it was sagging really bad. But I fired up my iron and went to town. The wrinkles and the sagginess disappeared and it got really tight. As it was tightening up, I seen that it actually pulled away from the frame as it was being heated. No warps, just shrinking. So, I am now considering covering my model with it as an experiment. I will just wait till tomorrow to see if I can find some Sig Stix-It to try first. But, so far, so good.

Offline Russell Shaffer

  • AMA Member
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 1333
Re: Polyester Covering Help
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2015, 05:15:06 PM »
I don't think that the direction matters. I just put it on however it fits best.
Russell Shaffer
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Just North of the California border

Offline Chancey Chorney

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *****
  • Posts: 621
Re: Polyester Covering Help
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2015, 06:49:36 PM »
Well, it looks like it will be put on using dope now, as I had just put on two coats thinned and is now drying. I have the dope, so thought why not use it. I will still be experimenting before the final covering application. Next step is sand the airframe and add a coat of dope and talc mixture for filling on the fuselage and tail, then wherever it permits, drywall compound also wherever needed. Then, the final thing, covering. My first attempt at it NOT using plastic... :o

Offline Chancey Chorney

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *****
  • Posts: 621
Re: Polyester Covering Help
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2015, 06:50:13 PM »
Forgot to mention, thanks.

Offline Larry Borden

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 153
Re: Polyester Covering Help
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2015, 07:25:30 PM »
I did a 'Covering With Silk' post that is at the start of the Painting and Finishing topic. The weave of the the material should run spanwise.

Offline john e. holliday

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 22781
Re: Polyester Covering Help
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2015, 08:58:07 PM »
I probably have more experience with the Poly-ester material from the fabric store than some on here.   I use it because I'm cheap and this stuff is.   I put it on like any silk span or silk job most times.   You have to have a good base coat of clear dope on the plane.  Then you need to thin the dope so it will soak through the weave,  otherwise it will not stick.  I have also used SIGS Balsa right and ironed it down around the edges.   Once down go over it with and iron to shrink it.   After the first few coats of dope you will think you made a mistake.   I use butyrate dope from start to finish.   Usually about the 8th or 9th it will get drum tight.   Another thing I like is the variety of colors.  Thought I had a pic of one of my planes covered with the material,  but I can't find it.
John E. "DOC" Holliday
10421 West 56th Terrace
Shawnee, KANSAS  66203
AMA 23530  Have fun as I have and I am still breaking a record.

Offline Chancey Chorney

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *****
  • Posts: 621
Re: Polyester Covering Help
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2015, 09:08:01 PM »
Thanks for the help and advice. I now may just give it a try after all this. And john, would you figure that I would need that many coats on a 1/2a model for sport? Or could I get away with less? It is not a competition plane, just a Lil' Jumpin' Bean. Thank you.

Offline john e. holliday

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 22781
Re: Polyester Covering Help
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2015, 09:21:19 PM »
If you find some really light weight stuff, use just enough dope to seal the material.   
John E. "DOC" Holliday
10421 West 56th Terrace
Shawnee, KANSAS  66203
AMA 23530  Have fun as I have and I am still breaking a record.


Advertise Here
Tags:
 


Advertise Here