Using fabric scale covering (any advice)

[Lojik]

I have basically built my piper 90" J3, almost finished the important sanding and smoothing of surfaces for covering, I have got 3 rolls of Blue fabric covering, bought at a hobby store and 2 rolls of white i'm going to do the classic Blue and white scheme, does anyone have any advice or tips on using the "fabric scale covering", i have all the tools i was told i would require. a kinda suped up hairdryer and special iron thing, i have read through the instructions and manual about 10 times and have a good idea on how to cover but any tips or advice would be really great. Will post pictures when done.

[Franco Gozzi]

After having sanded the plane and made it smooth apply a very thin coat, by spray or brush, of diluted white glue (PVAc). If you dilute the glue enough, the thin coat will leave the balsa surface porous enough to prevent air bubbles to get trapped under the film.
This operation will make the covering film stick to the surfaces and the sharpest corner much better.
The thing that I recommend the most is to take some scraps of balsa sheet and make trials on those ones until you understand what is the proper heat you have to apply for a perfect work. In my opinion that is the key point when covering.
Different types of covering material from different brands have got their own specific application heat.
Usually more expensive covering materials are easier to use and more durable. This definitly pays back.
Do not overheat the covering film, if you do it the film might get damaged and the process is not reversible. So that I suggest to apply the film at a lower temperature than needed then gradually fix the all thing at the end by incresing the temperature little by little.
If you make a mistake do not try to fix it somehow because it will be visible anyway afterwards. You'd better remove the film and cover that area again.

Take care.

[Pro Flyer]

Hi Lojik,
I just finished covering 1/6 scale PT-19 with Solartex it looks good :) It is not hard to do if you have done Solarfilm it is almost the same. But on Solartex you can paint on it like I did on the Rudder and turtle deck. :cool:
Here are a couple of pictures. :D

[Pro Flyer]

Here the pic of the Rudder :D
Damo :cool:

[tailskid]

Looking good......

Jerry