Fabric Covering for Scale RC Airplanes — Video How To

[GSNadmin]

We’ve received several emails asking about covering scale models. While I was building my the 1/4-scale Sopwith Camel project, I wrote this post that goes into detail about what required. Your response was impressive and many of you asked about Scale Stits Fabric and Poly Tak adhesive. So, I broke out the video camera in the workshop and I made this 2-part How To Video presentation. Included are all the steps and techniques I used to cover one of the ailerons highlighting several useful tips and tricks. Personally, I think it is very easy and the polyester fabric and the heat activated adhesive used to attach the cloth to the wood structure are simple to apply. Here ya go. Enjoy



Sitis Lite and the Poly Fiber covering system is designed to work together to produce an easy to apply and durable fabric covered finish.



The most important things for a great finish a clean work surface and sharp X-Acto blades.



See the How To videos below.

Video How To Part 1.

Video How To Part 2

Model Airplane News - The #1 resource for RC plane and helicopter enthusiasts featuring news, videos, product releases and tech tips.

Continue reading...

 

[acerc]

I have been using the Stits system for years and it is simply the most user friendly product out there. I do not use their Poly-Tak, I use Sigs Stix-it as it is much simpler. Here are a few I have done with the Stits.

 

[Snoopy1]

Love the stuff use to use dope but once you try this you will never look back. Done 11 planes up to now and very successful. Use all there product and follow it as recommended. Only thing I do use is the aluminum uv protection coat heavy and not needed. And spray all the coats do not brush.

 

[AKNick]

Ive repaired and covered full scale planes with this stuff, I have turned very sensitive to MEK. That is one nasty chemical. Be careful when using it, the chemical will get through ordinary gloves. I absolutely love how forgiving this stuff is to work with! They make a easy to read/follow book to cover full scale planes which is a must. Always has a great finish! I'd like to see people start to use the Stewart System which like Stits is a full scale covering method, but instead of MEK it is water based. Climate control is harder with humidity but is easier on the body.
http://www.stewartsystems.aero/default.aspx

When it comes to the silver UV protection, the Carbon Cub in its originality had the silver accent with their blue/yellow planes was to save weight by not using paint and just the silver UV coating instead. Little factoid I'm sure yall already knew

@acerc Those planes are beautiful! @Snoopy1 pictures my friend? I don't have any! My first kit was a Sig clipped cub that was covered with poly, except I had bad guidance and pretty much ruined the finish.

 

[Snoopy1]

Here you a few pictures of the planes painted with Stitts.

 

[acerc]

I would love the MEK/chemical free but in Florida without a controlled paint booth it is nearly impossible to use water based. And with Stewarts being nearly four times the cost of Stits, I'll stick with a chemical respirator and the MEK based.

 

[AKNick]

@Snoopy1 Nice planes! I see that you have a color scheme going there with the orange white and blue! I like the pin stripe lines between the blue and orange on the typhoon.
@acerc I agree with you with the humidity. Its the hardest part with the whole system, even in SE Alaska! The Stewart sprays on pretty blotty compared to the Stits.

 

[Snoopy1]

@Snoopy1 Nice planes! I see that you have a color scheme going there with the orange white and blue! I like the pin stripe lines between the blue and orange on the typhoon.
@acerc I agree with you with the humidity. Its the hardest part with the whole system, even in SE Alaska! The Stewart sprays on pretty blotty compared to the Stits.

Sorry to say but yes I love those colours. And they are easy to see in the sky. And the price of paint it gets expensive in hurry if like to many colours.