Steve Dunne Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 I am currently repairing my 72" Mustang P51D, recently damaged after an engine cut on climbout. All the structural work is done, fuselage repainted ok, but the wing needs additional covering film. The wing is currently covered in what appears to be printed Oracover (YT/ESM models), and simulates an aluminium metal skin. All that I can find in films is "silver", which I think would be too bright and shiny, and probably a different hue. I do have a half roll of similar film, maybe 30 years old, which is high gloss but similar colour - I don't remember what colour it was bought as. I was going to apply this and then use a scouring pad to matt off the gloss finish. Sadly, the adhesive appears to have gone off... Has anyone experience of a similar covering repair - and hopefully remembers what they used? All suggestions will be welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SONNY MONKS Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 hi steve,how are you,long time no see,have you looked at solartex,remember the low wing super 60 i had,which you maiden flew for me,that has a slight sheen,but not too glossy finish,i think it may be as close as dam it in what you are looking for,regards sonny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Dunne Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 Hi Sonny, Solartex is a textured material. To simulate a metal covering I need a smooth film such as Solarfilm or Oracover. The main issue that I need help on is the "colour match" for aluminium skins. Is Silver a reasonable match to "aluminium" flat finish? I am looking for advice from anyone who has used such films - or alternatives. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Reynaud Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 I have heard of the "silver" being used then flatted down with wire wool to give a better mstch to aluminium. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SONNY MONKS Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 okay steve,take care,regards sonny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stearman65 Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Posted by Steve Dunne on 06/02/2019 14:46:00: Hi Sonny, Solartex is a textured material. To simulate a metal covering I need a smooth film such as Solarfilm or Oracover. The main issue that I need help on is the "colour match" for aluminium skins. Is Silver a reasonable match to "aluminium" flat finish? I am looking for advice from anyone who has used such films - or alternatives. Steve. Ther's been a few posts on here about ali film affecting radio range. I was going to use it on my Pilatus, but changed my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SONNY MONKS Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 i wonder if tin foil,with a clear covering over the top,just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Is it possible to not worry about match too much, make the replacement areas look like crash/battle damage, generally make it dirty and careworn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SONNY MONKS Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Have you checked the solarfilm site steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bell 3 Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Steve Go to eBay and type in search bar matt silver model covering film . With any luck you should find something that suits. steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 I think most 'aluminium' covering film is actually silver/grey. I have a H9 P47 in probably the same state as your Mustang was (and for the same reason) and I managed to acquire a roll of the correct film when I modified the wing to fit flaps. So look for grey Oracover or even HK film (which is as good IMO - and a lot cheaper) especially if you need to cover the whole airframe rather than patch. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Dunne Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 Thanks for all the suggestions - I have looked at all these over recent days. I was hoping to attract the attention of someone who has actually tried it... Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 The ESM models used to be covered in a clear film and then painted. At least, that is how all of my models have been. When i ordered my P39 and Sea Fury i ordered them with no paint but they still came covered in the clear film. I have no idea what it is, but its bloomin strong and makes a right mess of knife blades. Anyway a friend has one of these mustangs in the other paint job they offered and i think paint is your best bet im afraid. We used humbrol matt aluminium paint (no 56 i think) and that wasnt a bad match. Fuel proofing it might be interesting but as the wings arent likely to get oily anyway you might not have to. Repairs to my La7 undercarriage done with humbrol have been fine so you might get away with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Dunne Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 Thanks, Jon. You may be right... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo Hawkins Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Hi I cover all my large scale gliders in sign vinyl I know that you can get aluminum look vinyl. I did my Slingsby t53 in it. You can stick it on in panels you can not use it on open frame work only on sheeted. I will see if I can find photos Edited By Roo Hawkins on 06/02/2019 17:13:47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 THIS ORACOVER might be what you are meaning. I used it on my GW Meteor P2S, it does mark easily though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Feather Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Steve - I have some of the "silver" HK film. They do two versions, so watch out if you do order that... one has a brushed finish, and so one needs to ensure the brushing marks go the "right" way if you use it. I've used the non-brushed finish on the Skywriter I built: Impossible of course to tell from the picture whether this will match or not, but I'm happy to send you some samples for colour matching if you like to PM me. regards Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Dunne Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 Hi Roo - the wing has open structure... but thanks anyway Simon - thanks for the offer, but that is a gloss finish, and not currently available in the UK or EU warehouses. Geoff - good thought on the grey, As a first try, I have ordered the Oracover Silver - supposedly satin finish - we'll see what it is like as a match, then report back here. Only needs a small roll for about three square feet of patches. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 I used oracover chrome on my mustang i thought it to shiny and artificial looking so over sprayed with rustoleum chrome ,the results were very good comparing very well to polished aluminium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Get a roll of HK film sold as silver but is actually more like aluminium. A 5m one is quite heavy so must be ally. Here is my Ohmen done with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braddock, VC Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Get some balsaloc adhesive and try the film you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Dunne Posted February 7, 2019 Author Share Posted February 7, 2019 I still have half a jar of Balsaloc, but I only use it for edges and small repairs - not happy with larger sheeted areas. Oracover on the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SONNY MONKS Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 No steve,solartex hehehe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eflightray Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 If you can't match a colour, why not completely change the colour scheme, plenty of 'different' Mustangs. Don't know if the link will work, but it's a google images search on - P-51 color schemes - **LINK** . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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