Andrew767 Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Well i'm almost at the covering stage of my Vic Smeed/Ray Wood Chatterbox 2000 for the 2012 mass build (Yes i know!!....the time just flies). The original was tissue covered and i have some plus Solarfilm,Solarspan and Solartex. Which one to use?..would Solartex be too heavy for a 40"span,1 1/2lb built up frame model?. Thoughts please. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Hi Andrew, solartex is great stuff, and easy to apply, but a wee bit heavy for your chatterbox. Solarfilm would be fine, but a bit glossy/hitec for my taste. Why not go the original route, and use heavyweight tissue. Also, there are modern alternatives (heat shrink) that don't have an adhesive on the back, so are lighter. You apply the adhesive to the airframe. ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Andrew If you really can't face the idea of tissue and dope try solarfilm 'solite' but take care with the iron as it is too easy to overheat. Roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwards flyboy Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Try solarfilm polyester on it, they do 6 matt colours and i love the stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew767 Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share Posted October 27, 2012 Thanks all for the replies...Thought tex might be too heavy but i wanted to use what i had in,so it looks like it's down to tissue or solarfim.....EFB...I havn't any polyester left....Ernie...you're right, film is a bit shiney for this one...Only have lightweight tissue, do you think that would do?.... Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo565 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Andrew, Why not try a mix,this is my scaled up Veron Cardinal using Solartex on the fuz and transparent film on wings and tail,just using stuff I had lying around. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew767 Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share Posted October 27, 2012 Jim Thanks, thats another option...can i ask why you didn't just use tex over the whole model?..Was it the weight. Regards Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo565 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Andrew, I was after a contrast between the fuz and the other bits and what you see is all I had lying around,too tight to buy anymore Tex. I think a model of this size 40/44" covered in Tex would not be a problem weight wise as long as you dont go wild with paint and dope etc. I have another vintage job called a Redskin around 40" span and its covered with natural Solartex and it flies a treat,its the one on the right of this pic. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew767 Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share Posted October 27, 2012 Thanks Jim, thats very helpful Re the weight. Part of the confusion came from the fact that Boddo covered his Mini Super in tex and that is only 5" greater span and flew well. I like the tex and film mix and i have some in matching colours, so i may go that route. Thanks once again for everyones help. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo565 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 I'd use heavyweight, Its not too expensive if you can find it. Try Sam's models ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew767 Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 Thanks Ernie....I think MSL have it too. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Tissue over mylar would give the best results. It's light, puncture resistant, adds rigidity to the airframe, cheap & gives the most genuine vintage look. Downside is the smell of dope & you have to cover twice. If you are going to cover with tissue it's probably worth the extra effort as it will look good longer & last longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Hi, If you need to know, I think I can remember how to fix it on... Don't listen to all that nonsense about smell, but look out for swimbo ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew767 Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 Thanks Pat....What thickness? and where can it be bought?....mylar, that is. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Andrew, you can get it from Mike Woodhouse click on LW covering. I think 10 micron clear would be the most suitable. If you google tissue over mylar it will produce a load of info on how to do it. George Stringwell (AKA Sundancer) seems to be an expert at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew767 Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 Pat Thank you for the link....I have the George Stringwell method in one of his books. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Fisher Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 Just found this - rather late to add a post but I built one a few years ago. Wasn't aware that it had been the subject of a mass build or would have joined in. Used natural Solartex for covering and painted with emulsion paints. Used a small brushless motor with a 2S Lipo and a 7 x 5 prop "borrowed" from a DC Merlin. Flies well and I have had no issues thinking it might be over weight. I didn't make the U/C as there is no suitable take off area where I now fly. Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Wood 4 Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 Hi I missed this, but when I built the slightly larger version than Vic's original tissue or film would be fine 😄👍 Regards Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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