gary watson 1 Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I am thinking about building a plane and was wondering which heat shrink would be best?I want some that is strong,easy to put on and will not wrinkle in the sun.I already have the iron and heat gun any advice please, because when i looked for some there is a whole raft of them quite confusing to a newbie like me thank you Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly boy3 Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Hi Gary,As you say quite some choice, but it will depend on type of model as to which covering is suitable for what model. Have you decided on the model yet ? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Oracover is good.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo565 Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Gary, I always use Profilm / Oracover ( same product ) although it tends to be pricey,I have yet to burn a hole in it and I've been at it a long time. Solarfilm is cheaper but you can burn a hole in it quite easily if you are not carefull. Peter Miller swears by Solarfilm supershrink polyester,he uses it for everything and it does not sag in the sun ( if we ever get any ) As FB3 says the model will sort of dictate the covering,eg, a world war one Bi plane would look daft in a shiny film,so Solartex would be the correct choice. Edited By Jim Carss on 11/12/2012 12:59:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Love solartex. very good at going round corners, shrinks well ( can be quite forgiving). easy to work with. Paint it with solarlac and cover with clearcote if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary watson 1 Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 thanks for all your replies,i was thinking about the tucano in the mass build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Posted by gary watson 1 on 11/12/2012 18:44:44: thanks for all your replies,i was thinking about the tucano in the mass build I'm with Jim Carss on this one. Profilm is my favoured film covering which I would use if I was participating in the mass build this year, though I understand that the new Solarfilm does not wrinkle in the sun like the older product. For larger vintage models or fabric covered aircraft I rate Solartex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu knowles Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 For open framework, I haven't found anything to beat Solartex, For sheeted surfaces which are to be painted, brown paper / pva is excellent, I don't understand why it isn't used much more commonly. stu k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouncebounce crunch Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 my favourites will become whatever is cheapest from now on, unless making a scale machine that is looking for a specific type of covering. (Fabric look for example). all are mentioned above and all good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 I've used Giant Cod film, Hobbyking film, World Models Toughlon, Eazycote, Solarfilm Polyester and Oracover, even mixed on the same model. The only one that I find needs to be treated with care is Toughlon. It doesn't follow compound curves as well as the others and for me it's by far the worst for bubbling on a hot day. They do have some lovely metallic shades in the range though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Jarvis 1 Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 Posted by Jim Carss on 11/12/2012 12:58:42: Peter Miller swears by Solarfilm supershrink polyester,he uses it for everything and it does not sag in the sun ( if we ever get any ) I like Solarfilm Supershrink, I find it a lot easier to use than Profilm type films and it's cheaper, not a lot of shops seem to stock it though, the only place I have found is Blackburn Models, Balsamart on the web. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 Yes, Solarfilm Supershrink POlyester. I love it. Can take more heat without burning through. doesn't sag in the sun. Someone giving up gave me some Oracover. I gave it away as it was so much heavier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 I've found the GiantShark stuff very good indeed. Much easier to work with than solarfilm and not unlike Oracover. You will find other fans on the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.