Corsair015 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 I have recently acquired a 1973 SIG Smith Miniplane kit from an auction my club holds. In the instructions it states I have to cover the wood in multiple layers of dope before covering with an iron-on film. Is this really necessary with modern iron on coverings used today? or is the dope on there for another reason? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Thomas Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 I don't know, but I'm assuming it's referring to an older type of iron on covering that does not have its own adhesive? Otherwise I see no reason for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Deluxe Products do much better materials for such applications today. I have used pva/water mix and that seemed ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 If you are using Solarfilm the answer is NO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrman Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 It may have been referring to the use of SIG Coverall which is a nylon type heatshrink fabric without adhesive. This required the airframe to have the adhesive (Sig Balsarite?) applied before the covering could be attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 hello Caleb, same as above from me,forget the dope and cover the model with any of the modern coverings,most have the adhesive backing.... ken Anderson...ne...1.... no dope dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham R Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Posted by Percy Verance on 07/10/2017 09:33:01: As jrman states, this almost certainly refers to the use of SIG Koverall, which isn't available in the UK as far as I'm aware. It's a fairly dated covering system now, with more modern heat activated/adhesive backed coverings available. As already mentioned, Sig Koverall fabric didn't have any heat activated adhesive on the back of it, which was the primary reason for applying dope and/or Sig Koverite to the airframe structure. Edited By Percy Verance on 07/10/2017 09:39:05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham R Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Hi Percy Sig koverall is available over here, have recently covered a 4mtr motor glider with it. It’s a lot cheaper than other heat shrink fabric coverings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair015 Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 Thanks guys! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong I am going to use solarfilm for the covering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetenor Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 One reason for the dope is to level the grain and lay any dustiness of the surface. I would still be inclined to give a coat of 50/5o dope thinners or a coat of sanding sealer. Again levels grain and lays dustiness .The main thing it does is reduce any chance of trapping air under the finish fabric or film.One of the reasons for lifting at a later date. Worth doing for the small amount of time it takes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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