Focae Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 Having rebuilt the front end and resecured the tailplane of my Acrowot after stalling while dead stick landing, I am now ready to re-cover with Solarfilm. I didn't build the model and have never used Solarfilm type coverings before. Is it practical to cover the tailplane and controls without removing the CA type hinges or should I just go for it and cut them off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 Cut em off, will make life much easier n you'll do a better job, doubt it's Solar film either, more likely to be Profilm, but i could be wrong ? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focae Posted March 7, 2017 Author Share Posted March 7, 2017 Thanks John.....I took it to the LMS and they said it looked like Solarfilm. This is the kit Acrowot not the ARTF. Any advantages of Profilm over Solarfilm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 Ah i see, it's stronger but it's the colour match you'll be looking for. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 I prefer Profilm. Are you re-covering the entire model? If so it won't matter whether you use Profilm or Solarfilm but if I were you, I would get someone experienced to show you how it's done if you've never applied a film to a model in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focae Posted March 7, 2017 Author Share Posted March 7, 2017 I'm doing the whole fuselage but don't need to do the wings. I stripped the fuselage completely as it had a bit of hangar rash that needed sorting while I was at it. I will try and get help for my first attempts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bran Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Focae, grab some offcuts of films (flying buddies or model shop), some offcuts of balsa (same) and just go for it, try various temps and ways, and find what works best for you. Then test on an open structure (make a quick frame and go for it on that. It really isn't a difficult process, its a bit of plastic and balsa, and the ONLY way to gain confidence is to DO IT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 hello focae.......... have a go with a scap bit of wood...not too much heat either...if its solarfilm.. ken Anderson...ne....1..... film dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Wood Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Hello Focae, good advice above. Solarfilm is a bit fussier about temperatures than some other films. When applying it to a sheeted or solid surface such as fuselage have the iron at 100'C. If the iron is too hot the film will wrinkle when you try to put it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 I suggest you view the video here it is by Derek Hardman the inventor of Solarfilm (and lots of other covering such as Solartex). All good advice and it takes over an hour to watch but very worthwhile. See also the Solarfilm website which has lots of info including the instruction & proportions for making roundels, stars & bars etc. ( for some reason there is no link on the website to the video! ) Edited By kc on 08/03/2017 17:09:54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 If you can find a reasonable colour match I'd go for Hobby King film. It really is as easy as Profilm to use and I think it's as good in other respects, too - better if you take price into account. I've used it on several models including my Ballerina which came out well and I'm rubbish at covering.: There's a bit more decoration now but this was how it looked when it was test fllown. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focae Posted March 8, 2017 Author Share Posted March 8, 2017 Thanks guys....all good info. I guess I will just have to get stuck in. My main concern was the control surfaces and the problems associated with renewing the CA hinges... One of the hinges can be moved along a bit. The others may be a bit more problematical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 If you slide a scalpel blade either side of the hinges you might get em out, i've managed it before now, some fine nosed pliers to pull em with. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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