Mike Etheridge 1 Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 I have just read on Facebook that due to reduced demand the manufacturers of Solarfilm are to stop production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn K Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 If that is the case then that is very sad. Do you know if that is that just Solarfilm or does that include SolarTex as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Solar-everything Martyn. Here's the letter... Edited By David Ashby - RCME on 06/02/2018 15:47:27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 time to stock up. I think RCME will have to do an article on doped nylon................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Gutted; can someone please buy the business? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Posted by David Hayward. on 06/02/2018 16:25:04: Gutted; can someone please buy the business? how to make a small fortune out of a large one? I guess that if they can't compete with the Chinese polyester films the 'tex and paints business alone is not viable. Pity, I'll miss Clearcote - time to stock up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Carr Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Very sad news indeed. They made a quality product. I thought from reading the article in the recent RCME that this was just around the corner Edited By Craig Carr on 06/02/2018 16:59:54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 I must admit I haven't used Solarfilm for some time and use the actually better product supplied by HobbyKing but it's sad to see another UK company cease trading. The article in this month's RCME didn't inspire a huge amount of confidence. The big loss will be Solartex which I still use - I bought a 5 metre roll only a couple of weeks ago for my DH60 Cirrus Moth. There doesn't seem to be a similar substitute other than doped nylon or silk and dope doesn't go down well with my wife as my workshop is attached to the house. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 That's a shocker Solartex is superb stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 What a great shame. I'm a big fan of SolarTex and use it on most of my kit built models. Yet to be started is a DB Hurricane, DB Blackburn and nearing the covering stage is a DB Jodel. Although I have a mix of ARTF models and foame types, I love building from kits and plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Perry Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 really sad. great products. Having retired over the last couple of year, I had got back to scratch building rather than ARTFs assembly.... so in recent months I have been using solartex, solarspan, balsaloc etc......I dont really want to really retro to nylon or silk coverings. Maybe with Brexit we will see more Coverite products coming over from the USA. We will get fantastic trading deals with our very special trading relationship... ha ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Trouble is that Coverite is a Hobbico product and they're in financial difficulties as well. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Such are the problems with cottage industries. Not viable enough that bigger concerns will take them over. I am assuming that the owners have been trying to sell the company on for some time. As it is associated closely with the textile industry I would have thought there might have ben some interest from India. They love anything to do with cloth and its manufacture. Glad I stocked up before Christmas ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 This hobby is getting harder, and harder. I recently acquired a lathe, and one reason was make it is getting easier than trace/find. Now I have used Ceconite, from the microlight industry, but it is not the same as something with glue on one face, colour on the other. I have a quarter scale DV. A mix of Ceconite and Tex. but the Tex was first call where the colour was right. Shame. Onwards and upwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 This is a tragedy. Magazine after magazine closing, now Solarfilm going. Luckily for me I am slowing down a lot these days, Old age is galloping up. Correction,has galloped past me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Welford Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Yes - this situation is going to continue and for traditional builders it is going to be increasingly difficult to source materials. In addition, there are almost no traditional R/C kits now available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 This is a great shame. The hobby is certainly changing significantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Thomas Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 (Quote) Due to the continued shrinking of the model industry...... ironic huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Posted by Robert Welford on 06/02/2018 19:31:51: Yes - this situation is going to continue and for traditional builders it is going to be increasingly difficult to source materials. In addition, there are almost no traditional R/C kits now available. The problem with "traditional kits" is that their quality is no longer acceptable, even to the builders who used to buy them. Modern kits have to be of a far higher standard for the current "generation" (and I don't mean by age) of builders. Then along with good quality comes higher prices, which are not acceptable (particularly to those of us over a certain age). I remember from my yoof, older club members complaining about the high price of kits even then, never mind their quality ! As some of you know, I am involved in a project to bring one range of kits back to the market to a modern standard. This I am doing mostly for my own enjoyment and a promise I made to the late Brian Borland. The hours that are necessary to develop and produce kits do not make it a viable business model, particularly if you had to pay for U.K. labour ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason-I Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Oh no! Sad news. I've still got a collection of solar products from my early forray into aero modelling back in the 90's. Amazingly, my 20 odd year old tins of solarlac are still usable (and being used) today. I'll have to stock up on solartrim - is there an alternative to this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 That's a serious blow i love their products and believe you get what you pay for and after the article in the latest rcme was determined to support our great British product i guess in the future i will switch back to ripstop nylon and dope instead of solartex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Just seen the letter on Facebook.....bitter blow. What’s the equivalent to Solartex ? Edited By cymaz on 06/02/2018 22:09:58 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 A serious blow indeed and quite a shock in many respects. For me solartex is one of those products that is the 'only' answer for recreating a fabric covered model. I know that alternatives are available now but just look at the cost. Solartex was not cheap, but it lasted more or less forever. Like many I might have to grab some while I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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