Andy C Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 I have recent times covered a couple of planes that I have built, so only naturally thought I would this evening cover the fuse of my slow poke with some nice fresh hobbyking red heat shrink film. Hmmmm, not easy is it when the fuselage isn't square. Would therefore appreciate some advise and / or links to helpful youtube videos please before I attempt it again. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Bernard Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 I find if you work your way along the length of the fuselage, pulling on the free edge at the same time so the film has some tension on it, then you can generally work it around any awkward curves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bennett Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 I think the key to it is not to try and do too much with a single piece of film. The most-recommended method for fuselages, whether they're square or rounded, is to do the bottom first with one piece, and then over the top and down the sides with another. I prefer to use an iron, rather than a heat-gun, for most covering, so I would usually start by tacking down the centreline of the bottom piece of film, and then working out sideways with the iron a bit at a time, pulling the film tight to help it shrink neatly round the curves. Having cut it over-size, I then cut the bottom piece neatly where I want the joint to be, before starting the top-and-sides piece, which I also start by tacking it down the centreline and then working downwards with the iron while pulling it tight. I overlap the bottom piece by about 3mm before cutting it neatly. Finally I go over the seams again with the iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 It can be tricky, but by giving yourself a large amount of overlap so you can grip the film easily and pull it into shape and with the covering iron sticking and moulding the material onto the workpiece you can make a good job. Excess is simply trimmed away when you're satisfied with the finish. Given patience and working steadily, it's surprising how film can be coaxed around odd shapes. Watch for wrinkles that are too big to shrink out, and avoid them as much as possible in the first place by working a bit at a time and firmly pulling the film into place with the excess that you've allowed. Takes practice but it's not impossible and Hobbyking film works well. As has been said, avoid heat guns as I find you don't get the degree of control that you get with a covering iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CARPERFECT Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Do not pull Hk too much, even though it is thicker than most other films, the pigment is not as good, and if pulled too much it starts to look thin and white in colour. Ask me how i know. and i have been doing this for 30+ years now lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Carperfect, your experience with HK film is interesting as I tried a sample of their dark blue film by overheating it and pulling overly hard to try to get some idea of its limitations compared to Solarfilm and Profilm .I didn't get the issue that you found. Obviously a variation in the properties of their films, so worth checking the stuff before starting a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Murch Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 I am about half way through the building process so will be on to covering hopefully soon. Calder Craft Primary. In the past I have only used tissue so this is probably a daft question but how do you hold the model, pull the film into place and then use the iron with only 2 hands. Is there a 'knack'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stearman65 Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Take a look at my Pilatus Porter P6 blog. In it I start using covering film after a 20 year layoff. Start on the last page of the blog & the post 8.3.19. I'm using Orafilm for the 1st time after starting with Solarfilm when it first appeared. **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 "Is there a 'knack'." A prehensile tail is quite useful, as are feet that operate a bit like hands. Failing that (!) you just have to stabilise things with your knees a bit. It's always awkward. "not easy is it when the fuselage isn't square" Can only echo the above advice. Cut oversize, by a good few inches (its not waste if you need it to get the stuff on properly). Tack down the centreline, then s-l-o-w-l-y stretch and stick the film (it will mostly stick by itself if you are stretching it against and around the curved structure), bit by bit by bit, using the iron at its normal temperature. Start at the middle, work outward. Don't rush it, don't use a heat gun, don't turn the iron up. It's amazing what the film will conform to given time, moderate heat and a bit of tension. Even really tight curves. Do use a fresh scalpel to finish up, and blades only seem to cut cleanly for one lump of structure (e.g. the fuselage) before they're a tiny bit blunt and start to tear the film - factor that in, get a new pack of blades, don't be shy about changing blade regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 There are lots of vids on You Tube showing how to use covering film which I’ve found very useful and certainly got me using both a travel iron and heat gun as well as my normal covering iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Posted by Julian Murch on 25/03/2019 08:54:14: I am about half way through the building process so will be on to covering hopefully soon. Calder Craft Primary. In the past I have only used tissue so this is probably a daft question but how do you hold the model, pull the film into place and then use the iron with only 2 hands. Is there a 'knack'. Depends on the shape of what you're trying to cover and its size. For larger components I put some foam sheet (packing material) on my bench top and this both stops the part getting damaged and offers a certain amount of grip, stops the part from slipping about and by applying a bit of pressure from your arm/elbow/side of hand while working, makes the job more stable. Trying to clamp parts down or using weights doesn't work as you'll always be moving the bits around to get the covering right. Edited By Cuban8 on 25/03/2019 12:14:32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy C Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 Thanks for all the replies everyone. Must admit though I am struggling to find any good and useful videos showing an actual fuselage being covered from start to finish, including whether to use single piece over top and sides, how to work around the rear stab etc. so any links would be great thanks Edited By Andy C on 25/03/2019 13:23:17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Just did a quick look, this guy makes a good job on a fuse but in most cases you will have to look through several vids to get bits out of them that you want, don’t expect to find 1 that gives you everything. I would say that I look for techniques being used that I can use on my own piece of work. Seek and ye shall find. https://youtu.be/Ki7e75o-LGU And here’s another Link Edited By Ron Gray on 25/03/2019 13:40:31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy C Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 Thanks Ron, but I regard that as an easy one to cover and have no problems there. The Slow Poke on the other hand has a multitude of surfaces in all sorts of directions. Am I doing it wrong thinking I can cover the whole top and sides of fuselage in one go? The problem is, with a rounded top there is no corner to hide any joins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Re one piece for the top and sides - all the ARTF fuzs I have repaired (more than a few) have mostly had a seam in the covering at the top centreline of the fuz or very occasionally separate top side and bottom pieces done in sequence bottom, sides, top. I use a piece of polystyrene foam packing from a microwave oven box to support models while covering - i cut a 'U' channel out of each end so that fuzs sit in it - doesn't damage the covering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 "Am I doing it wrong thinking I can cover the whole top and sides of fuselage in one go? " I think you'll struggle. I would make a seam running along the top of the sides (assuming the sides are flat and the top deck is curved). You could try making the seam along the top centre, doing one underside piece, and two side/top pieces. But, the taper of the fuselage will make it trickier than using four pieces. On that basis, I'd go with the usual four piece method, bottom, sides, top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Andy - I found those 2, plus loads of others within 5 minutes of looking. If you are so set on getting something more like yours then spend some more time looking, there will be bits of vids that will help you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy C Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 Sorry Ron, just realised you had a second link. That was much more what I was after so thank you, although already now doing it in separate pieces. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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