Essef Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Just in the process of repairing both a Precedent T180 and T240 the latter being under conversion to petrol, and have just finished the 180s recovering with white solarfilm. For a first time modeller this was one aspect that concerned me ,but after starting with the smaller bits then moving on to the bigger sections and realising that after ironing on----my heat gun made the job a breeze and although not 100% perfection im pretty pleased with the outcome for my first attempt. Stephen Edited By Essef on 08/03/2012 15:08:44 Edited By Essef on 08/03/2012 15:09:47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bennett Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 That's good to hear Just be careful when using the heat gun, for it doesn't have a thermostat like the iron does, so it's easy to melt a hole right through if you hold it in one place too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Well done Stephen, satisfying isn't it . Another thing to watch with the heatgun is that if you overheat Solarfilm, it can sometimes go wrinkly in the sun. If you keep it below a certain temperature, Then that won't happen. The iron is probably better for shrinking for this reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Nice one Stephen. Not as hard as you think is it! And very satisfying BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Hi Steven Well done! Are you going to finish the T240 in film? Another option would be Solartex. This is a woven fabric which is ironed onto the structure and then shrunk tight. It's more expensive than Solarfilm but it's easier to use, it's more puncture resistant and it's tuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rolls Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Well done, Steven Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Solarfilm Supershrink Polyester is much better than ordinary Solarfilom with regard to heat tolerance and it does not sag in the sun. For those who don't know, you can laso get it in matt colours for warbirds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Wood Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Glad you sorted out your T180 Stephen - well done. I've also always had good results shrinking standard Solarfilm with a heat gun - especially on open structures. As long as good care is taken to heat the film gently & move on as soon as it shrinks I do find it works very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Posted by Peter Miller on 09/03/2012 08:15:14: Solarfilm Supershrink Polyester is much better than ordinary Solarfilom with regard to heat tolerance and it does not sag in the sun. For those who don't know, you can laso get it in matt colours for warbirds. I'll second that. It was really drummed home to me how much better Polyester is when an old roll I dug out for the current model turned out to be Solarfilm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essef Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thanks All As im converting the T240 to petrol i was going to use Profilm on the big fella but i bow to your expertise so please recommend away. Jta i do hope i have'nt overstreched the solarfilm on the 180 as it looks pretty good and am adding some colour -blue-green to break it up a little but deciding on the design pattern is proving harder than i thought. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo565 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I always use profilm,another polyester type film,expensive but worth it in the long run,I have yet to burn a hole in profilm, Burnig holes in Solarfilm is dead easy, now how do i know that ?? never tried the solarfilm polyester type yet but it must be ok if recommended by Peter Miller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essef Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 Thanks for the info A quick google tells me solarfilm polyester @ 10.45 78"x27" And profilm @ 17.75 2mt x 600mm So a big differance there, so will opt for the solarfilm me thinks. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I have found Profilm to be pretty good, solarfilm ok for smaller models. Solartex unpainted type I enjoyed the most, better for larger models or when using Diesel engines, better at awkward corners like wing tips. Some of the guys advised me that Shrinking dope used after normal shrinking of Solartex tightens and hardens the surface even better. Not tried this yet though. The Pre-painted Solartex needs care or the paint surface gets damaged when using the covering Iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo565 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 FTB, Try it ,it works a treat,just done it on my latest model and its spot on Edited By Jim Carss on 13/03/2012 12:48:11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Theres a really nice target for later Stephen. Jim Carss that looks good, and I plan to try the shrinking dope/Solartex on a repairable Nothstar I was given. Keep this up Stephen and you will be one of the "Stars" of the Forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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