Hi John
There are many covering options these day.
Being in Vintage scale glider design and building I have used for a couple of years now Icarex
it is a polyester based fabric. Super strong and very light. It is an airtight fabric and does not need dope
It will shrink like normal film with a heat gun
It does not have self adhesive heat sensitive glue surface.
I use Sig Stix-it or Balsa Block as glue. Applied with a brush on the model , when dry you apply the Icarex as you do with film with a hot iron
For vintage gliders that were not painted a clear varnish coat will do and give you the see through effect
On my latest project a 1:3 Ka6E wing and tail bits were covered with Icarex and then painted
to summarize why I like Icarex
advantages:
very strong
very light
water proof
no dope required
comes in rolls at 1.4 meter wide as long as you like
very cheap compared to r/c films and fabric available
It comes in some colors but I use clear transparent only
Disadvantage
no self adhesive side, glue to be purchased extra.
Living in Australia I get it from New Zealand for half the cost as shown in the link below of a Dutch supplier.
it is used by Kite manufactures as well so you might find it somewhere local if you want to give it a go.
some pictures attached from my primary glider model and Ka6E parts with Icarex prior to painting
http://vliegerop.com/brands/icarex-rips ... er-fabric/
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Covering materials discussion please.
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- Posts: 219
- Joined: 22 Mar 2015, 10:27
- Location: Australia
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- Posts: 219
- Joined: 22 Mar 2015, 10:27
- Location: Australia
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Re: Covering materials discussion please.
Attached picture of the Ka6E wings with Icarex was missing from my previous reply
Wings are covered with 1.5mm sheet balsa
The Icarex is applied over the total wing area and gives a good protection to the balsa against hangar rash
the balsa was not coated with dope prior to fitting the Icarex, only with Sig Stix-It glue
Final spray painted result shown as well. Paint used is Automotive spray paint from spray cans available from auto motive spares outlets.
Wings are covered with 1.5mm sheet balsa
The Icarex is applied over the total wing area and gives a good protection to the balsa against hangar rash
the balsa was not coated with dope prior to fitting the Icarex, only with Sig Stix-It glue
Final spray painted result shown as well. Paint used is Automotive spray paint from spray cans available from auto motive spares outlets.
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Re: Covering materials discussion please.
Ceconite is widely used in our club being a fraction of the price of solartex and a lot less expensive than Sig Koverall. Method of attachment has varied from Balslok/Sig Balsarite to laquor sanding sealer and dope. I personally have gone the dope route. It is easey to work with ,shrinks well with moderate heat and after doping before painting you can play the drums on it! One coat of thinned dope seals it and you decide how much weave you want to see.
- RobbieB
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Re: Covering materials discussion please.
John, just click on the quote tab in the post and a reply window will automatically open. You can then edit out any part of the quote between the quote tags.JohnW wrote:......
How do you quote someone's post to reply to a specific point(s).
Thanks.
You might also like to look at Diatex - a little lighter than the lightest Ceconite, applied in the same way (no adhesive coating) and also comes off the roll - 61" wide if I remember well. You can find it at: http://www.sky-craft.co.uk/
I would certainly give it more than one coat of non shrinking dope to seal it - brushed on. If you spray the dope there is more likelyhood of it pinholing.
One more thing about these alternative covering materials supplied without intergrated adhesive - quick they're not. If you want speed then Solartex is your stuff but that comes at a price.
Re: Covering materials discussion please.
hi jiles
interested in the icarex , found a supplier in uk ,how does it cope in the sun
(hopeful here in uk , i know !! )
i have a 5 meter ka8b and looking for an alternative
also will it stick to undercamber on wings easy enough
thanks
great thread
interested in the icarex , found a supplier in uk ,how does it cope in the sun
(hopeful here in uk , i know !! )
i have a 5 meter ka8b and looking for an alternative
also will it stick to undercamber on wings easy enough
thanks
great thread
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- Posts: 22
- Joined: 18 Mar 2015, 09:51
- Location: Port Elizabeth South Africa
Re: Covering materials discussion please.
Hi John,
I thinned the dope 3 thinners 1 dope for gluing and sealing
I thinned the dope 3 thinners 1 dope for gluing and sealing
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Re: Covering materials discussion please.
Some answers on questions for Icarex
It has a square pattern. This will disappear when painted. I did not find it a problem when use unpainted. You will not see it from a distance,
Here in Australia it takes the sun very well. much better than traditional available film.
Under cambered profiles are not a problem, with Sig Stix-it glue.
The paint I use is Acrylic based. I do not use primer or filler on Icarex covered surfaces.
It has a square pattern. This will disappear when painted. I did not find it a problem when use unpainted. You will not see it from a distance,
Here in Australia it takes the sun very well. much better than traditional available film.
Under cambered profiles are not a problem, with Sig Stix-it glue.
The paint I use is Acrylic based. I do not use primer or filler on Icarex covered surfaces.
- RobbieB
- Posts: 547
- Joined: 07 Mar 2015, 22:22
- Location: North West
Re: Covering materials discussion please.
John,
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