Martin Levy Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 I bought a roll of transparent red covering film from Hobbyking. Excellent price and all reviews I’ve seen have been pretty good. However I am struggling to get the backing film off. There is no overlap and have spent 20 minutes so far and getting very frustrated. Used a scalpel, pin, small file to fry ans get some grip. Does anyone have any secret tips. thanks Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bustergrunt Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 It’s very hard to separate, try using a pin or a blade to go through the film close to the edge...there's a definite technique to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 (edited) I use their coverings including the transparent ones, currently covering my Leprechaun XL with the ‘purple’ one. I use the point of a scalpel at one corner of the film, stick the point through the backing then rotate the blade which pulls it off, works every time. Tried other methods including pins and sticky tape but all failed on the transparent film. Be careful when applying the film as it really does shrink, a lot, and can bend and twist balsa frames. I use a lot lower temperature than I do for their solid films, just over 100 degrees and spend more time slowly get rid of the wrinkles. When I covered the rudder on the Leprechaun it ended up looking like a crisp, re-did it twice, each time lowering the temperature until it stayed straight. At the other end of the spectrum it will take 150 degrees without melting, so a bit like lam film. Edited April 20, 2021 by Ron Gray 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Taylor Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 A bit of masking tape on either side of a corner, then peel apart always works for me, although sometimes you have to have a couple of tries. Interestingly (well I think it is) I've recently been re-covering my Gangster 63 Lite with some film which I've had for two or three years and it's MUCH easier to separate - the cut edge always seems to have a couple of 'pockets' which let you get a scalpel blade in. Sorry that doesn't help in this case, though.? Kim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 I use a scalpel tip right on the edge of the film, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murat Kece 1 Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 I use scotch tape.. no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 42 minutes ago, Kim Taylor said: A bit of masking tape on either side of a corner, then peel apart always works for me, although sometimes you have to have a couple of tries. Interestingly (well I think it is) I've recently been re-covering my Gangster 63 Lite with some film which I've had for two or three years and it's MUCH easier to separate - the cut edge always seems to have a couple of 'pockets' which let you get a scalpel blade in. Sorry that doesn't help in this case, though.? Kim I have found that solid film is OK using this method but not the transparent stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Actually I was wrong about that, the one tape that I have found will separate the backing is reinforced adhesive tape, that sticks so well I can't get it off the film! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Garrett 1 Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 I've had exactly the same problem with the Hobbyking transparent film. I found the masking tape method does work eventually, but you have to attack the same corner multiple times. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J V R Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 3 hours ago, Nigel R said: I use a scalpel tip right on the edge of the film, too. Same for me 3 hours ago, Nigel R said: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Now, I use the term surely, with trepidation. But, if you apply tape, to both faces, if necessary, with increasingly sticky tapes, it will part. Given the cost, if you loose a corner, an inch, of tape? This game involves expensive motivation units, electronics, batteries, ad infinitum, hitting the ground. The above advice does not apply to prospective brain surgeons, Keep practicing with that blade people.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C. Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 I have been using Hobbyking film for a while now and never had a problem removing the backing, solarfilm was always a problem for me that and the price led me to hobbyking. When I had my first of many rolls of hobbyking film (solid colours only) I started using a disc cutter rather than scissors and I am wondering if this I why I have escaped the backing problem may be the disc helps separate the film as it cuts can't think of any other reason. Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 The solid colours are ok, it’s the transparent ones that are the ‘problem’. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Pushing here, is anyone seriously telling me, tape, both faces, will not part a film from its backing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Scalpel here at Dibley towers. D.D. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 9 hours ago, Martin Levy said: I bought a roll of transparent red covering film from Hobbyking. Excellent price and all reviews I’ve seen have been pretty good. However I am struggling to get the backing film off. There is no overlap and have spent 20 minutes so far and getting very frustrated. Used a scalpel, pin, small file to fry ans get some grip. Does anyone have any secret tips. thanks Martin Very fine T pin under a corner works for me, but I agree that it can be tricky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Don Fry said: Pushing here, is anyone seriously telling me, tape, both faces, will not part a film from its backing. Depends on the tape being used! As I said above, using reinforced tape works but only because it is really sticky, masking taper, insulating tape, Sellotape don't work, they peel off the backing before it peels off the film! For me, like others, it is far easier to use the point of the scalpel, near a corner as that works every time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Grant 1 Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 Thanks for the comment about the excessive shrinking/tightening properties of the transparent film Ron. I have been given an old partially completed DB Richthofen kit which I am going to finish and was thinking the open framework would look good in transparent red. I was disappointed that Hobbyking have sold out at the moment but I think I will be happier to stay with the solid red now. The wings are open frame work with no full depth spar or leading edge sheeting to form a D tube so they would warp pretty easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 (edited) Hobbyking covering seems to sell out in about five minutes... always on back order. Need to be pretty quick when the email arrives telling you it is in stock. I get the feeling there are a few folks buying bulk quantities as soon as it arrives in HK and then reselling over fleabay. Edited April 21, 2021 by Nigel R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 7 hours ago, Nigel Grant 1 said: Thanks for the comment about the excessive shrinking/tightening properties of the transparent film Ron. I have been given an old partially completed DB Richthofen kit which I am going to finish and was thinking the open framework would look good in transparent red. I was disappointed that Hobbyking have sold out at the moment but I think I will be happier to stay with the solid red now. The wings are open frame work with no full depth spar or leading edge sheeting to form a D tube so they would warp pretty easily. Just apply it with a low temp on the iron and you'll be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyinBrian Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 There seems to be reasonable stocks at the moment, just bought some transparent yellow and some red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 I tried multiple times with tape and it just didn't separate the backing film at all. Scalpel blade was the only thing that worked for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J V R Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 1 hour ago, David Ovenden said: I tried multiple times with tape and it just didn't separate the backing film at all. Scalpel blade was the only thing that worked for me. I quite often use a pin to scratch the backing film to lift it or just a scalpel on the edge 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.