Andy Stephenson Posted October 11, 2024 Share Posted October 11, 2024 Looking at all the usual outlets, there's a very limited choice of coloured nylon. Can anyone recommend a supplier who has a real range of suitable material, dress fabric shops may be the answer but I would need to know what to ask for. I want to cover solid and open structures with the usual application of dope, fuel-proofer etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
payneib Posted October 11, 2024 Share Posted October 11, 2024 Search for "Habotai polyester". If it costs about £2-£3 a metre, it's the right stuff. If it costs £20-£40 a metre, it's actually Habotai silk which is even better, but you specifically asked about nylon/polyester. This stuff definitely works, I use it all the time. I do find, the lighter the colour, the better it takes dope for sticking down, but the more dope it needs for sealing. I generally use "Eze Dope" on plain white fabric, and then paint it, but the colours are all good too. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124680120921?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=PI2ivOThShy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=l-v_dAijTxK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Stephenson Posted October 11, 2024 Author Share Posted October 11, 2024 Many thanks, I will do a search on Habotai polyester etc. I'm looking for a bright orange and a light blue for contrast. A suggestion, Eze Dope claims to be fuelproof so wouldn't it make sense, to apply the paint before applying a final coat of Eze Dope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted October 11, 2024 Share Posted October 11, 2024 Eze Dope will fill the weave, and stick the nylon to the wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
payneib Posted October 11, 2024 Share Posted October 11, 2024 1 hour ago, Andy Stephenson said: A suggestion, Eze Dope claims to be fuelproof so wouldn't it make sense, to apply the paint before applying a final coat of Eze Dope. I know that Eze Dope is definitely petrol proof, but I use cellulose paints on petrol models anyway - so no need to fuel proof, as it already is. I've not personally tested it against glow fuel, and I'm personally skeptical of any water based, single pack product being properly glow proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Stephenson Posted October 11, 2024 Author Share Posted October 11, 2024 Deluxe Materials own website demonstrates that it is impervious to 40% nitro. https://deluxematerials.co.uk/collections/building-finishing-products/products/eze-dope 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted October 12, 2024 Share Posted October 12, 2024 (edited) Wait, water based, single pack, and fuel proof? I feel like this should be getting more attention in the forum. We all lament the passing of solarfilm clearcoat. Can this stuff be used on raw wood? Edited October 12, 2024 by Nigel R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
payneib Posted October 12, 2024 Share Posted October 12, 2024 20 minutes ago, Nigel R said: Wait, water based, single pack, and fuel proof? I feel like this should be getting more attention in the forum. I'm very skeptical. I've got a possible carrier deck control line model in the build pipeline. The "semi disposable" nature of a first carrier deck plane might be a good opportunity to test it out against glow fuel. It'll either work, or learning to land on will mean it won't live long enough for fuel soak to be a problem. 😂 20 minutes ago, Nigel R said: Can this stuff be used on raw wood? It takes a few coats as it soaks it, but eventually you get a good "plasticised" layer over the top. It doesn't sand very well either, once dry, feels similar to PVA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Stephenson Posted October 13, 2024 Author Share Posted October 13, 2024 I've ordered some orange nylon covering from Sussex and some of the blue shade of Habotai polyester I wanted from Etsy, I will compare them when they arrive to see if they match in colour density and weight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted October 14, 2024 Share Posted October 14, 2024 I dye my own using fablon . Easy if you have an old slow cooker. Colours can be mixed. For trim I predope a piece onto a glass sheet. Comes off beautifully shiny and sticks to the under layer using a little thinners. I got 2 60's parachutes which are huge! I have bought dress polyester but find it too heavy. Dress lining fabric is lighter. I think freeflightsupplies.co.uk may still sell super lightweight silk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted October 14, 2024 Share Posted October 14, 2024 Sorry I checked and they no longer list silk but the polyester tissue over doculam is a nice lightweight finish. 1 coat of dope only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted October 14, 2024 Share Posted October 14, 2024 My own died nylon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Stephenson Posted October 14, 2024 Author Share Posted October 14, 2024 I looked at silk but it's quite expensive so artificial fibre it has to be. I didn't want to bother with the mess of dying the fabric so I found the colours I needed after an extensive search. I've dyed nylon before but I'm not sure how polyester takes dye, some plastics simply won't take dye at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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