Rob Barrett Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Hi all,I'm a complete novice and have, tonight, ended up with a series of smallish tears in the solarfilm covering on my (seagull arising star) trainer plane. Can anyone recommend an easily available, tough, clear tape, which I can use to 'patch' up my trusty plane ?Sh'e designed to fly and teach and not to look pretty !!! Many thanks and regards, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Green Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 HiAlways happens dosn't it.I use magictape the one made by selotape, once on it goes (almost) invisible.It's also good for canopies and strip hinges on smaller models.Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Barrett Posted July 19, 2007 Author Share Posted July 19, 2007 Thanks Andy,Can I buy this on the high street ?Any idea where ?I assume this is 1/2 inch'ish width and clear, is it ?Thanks again,Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchweight Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Just buy a roll of Solatrim in the correct colour. Cut it, stick it (self adhesive) and warm it up to shrink it taut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Barrett Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 Shaun,Thanks for your comments but this isn't so simple as the cvurrent solarfilm is multi-coloured and lots of writing etc... Its clear tape I'm looking for so I can carry out quick and efffective repairs. This was always only meant to be a trainer plane so I'm not too bothered how it looks - I just want to be able to fly it !Andy,Any advise where I can buy such tape would be much appreciated ?Cheers,Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Stevens Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Diamond tape from Smith's is the same - crystal clear except for finger prints as you handle it. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Barrett Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 Thanks Mike - I'll take a look in W H Smiths today. I guess this is pretty tough (plastic like) and waterproof ? My only worry is the width - I'm guessing this is about 1/2" like sellotape as opposed to a bit wider ? Cheers,Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Stevens Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Rob I cannot remember if they do varying widths or lengths. Otherwise I guess you are looking at one of the clear iron on films from a model shop.Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Green Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Hi RobWH Smiths sell it so do stores like Hobby craft and probably Woolworths.It comes in a green / black / yellow (Tartan?) coulored box with a dispenser for about £3.You'll have no trouble in finding any.Don't be tempted to but another make, magictape is the best.Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 I found some 2" wide, clear tape, I think it was called "All Weather Tape" but at least that was on the packet, in my local Focus. I am sure that other places stock it too. It looks a bit misty but would be nearly invisible on a model.I used it to repair a cracked window in a conservatory, on both sides, it is still there after a full year.Magic Tape will be in Smiths or any stationers. IT is good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aslan Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Mike,that Diamond tape is the dogs alright.I fold a little back on itself first,peel of a longer piece than I need,fold a little back on itself again,tear it of the cutter thing and hold both sides by the tabs.When I do the repair,lift it back by the tabs a bit,then cut it close to the repair on both ends...no prints.Man, this sounds more complicated than it is.....sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Stevens Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Brilliant AslanHadn't thought of that.Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the unmagnificent man Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Aslan, I had to read your post twice, but second time I realised what a good idea it really is. LOLRob. I have the seagull jumper 25 trainer (the smaller version of your arising star) I ripped the covering on its first outing in the car, it got punctured by the glow plug. I did a temporary repair with selotape. I have now done over 100 flights and I havent bothered to change the tape yet as it doesnt need it. Like your plane it doesnt need to look good, just fly. Cheap too. :) Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Melville Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 The 'all-weather' tape is a bit heavier than sellotape and its derivatives but much stronger. On larger repaires I have used sollotape to rejoin the ripped edges of the solarfilm then heated the repair to re-tension the covering and then covered the whole repair (between wing ribs) with cut to size clear 'fablon' available from Woolworths (it's about 300mm wide). This makes the flying surface as smooth/flat as the original finnish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Barrett Posted July 22, 2007 Author Share Posted July 22, 2007 Thanks to everyone for your help and advise. I've now repaired the plane using the "Focus purchased" "Duck All Weather Repair Tape". This is described as "Transparent, Strong and Waterproof" and I got a 50mm (2 inch) x 10 m reel for just £2.99. This is certainly very strong and my only critisism is the colouration - this seems to have a slight light green tint when I've stuck it over the (mainly) while solarfilm. At least my good old trusty (Seagull Arising Star) trainer is back in the sky and this is the only consideration. What sort of trainer wouldn't look more realistic with some patches and repairs on it, I ask you !!! Thanks again to you all. Just one final request - can anyone sort me some good weather so I can get in some more training / practise for my BMFA A Test ? Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Warnes Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Hi im a complete newbie, can anyone suggest an easy way to remove all my old film and flying controls ie flaps,elevators and rudder from a balsa wood aircraft so i can fully overhaul the airframe. cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Hi Russ... It might be worth starting a thread for the project - "Refurbishing a ...... " show us a few photos etc and get some input. Anyway, as for your question.... A few thoughts.... 1] Decide if its economic. Covering can be an expensive process and makes ARTF's look very good value. If its a cheap ARTF it simply may not be worth it. Covering an ARTF trainer like the one mentioned at the beginning of the thread probably isn't worth it, as they are so cheap to buy new. [£60 or so...] On the other hand, if its a classic 70's pattern ship in good nick it might well be worth spending some time and cash on.] 2] What kind of covering does it have? Cheap ARTF's are covered in sticky backed plastic, which comes off easily but is also easy to damage. Solarfilm will leave colour behind as the colour is actually the glue. A little heat will help. Other coverings will lift without leaving a coloured mess. 3] What kind of hinges does it have? Flocked cyano hinges can be cut through, and new hinge slots cut. Some plastic hinges have a metal pin that can be removed with a pair of needle nosed pliers. 4] Covering... a tip. The Giant Shark stuff is excellent value if you are happy to buy it in fairly large quantities, and plan to carry on building. As I said, why not show us what you have to work on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulinvader Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Just had a similar situation. On inspecting my new second hand trainer more closely, I discovered a few tears in the wing. It too has graphics. Me being rather anal, I really wanted to keep it looking good, so I purchased a roll of sola film (yellow)| for a fiver borrowed some different shaped plastic glow in the dark stars from my daughters cieling and used them as a template. Wing is now sealed with added star graphics, doesnt look perfect to be honest, but I hope this will make me less wary as I learn to fly as I'm sure I'll have plenty more to fix as I get up in the air (and down)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew McKelvey Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I believe my Tutor II is covered in Oracover and mine too has one or two holes in it, mostly caused by me, one of the guys gave me a patch on the field one day which looked like sticky back plastic (clear), I bought a 2m roll from the stationers for abut £2.49 and thats what I have been using. None of its come off yet and seems to resist burnt and unburnt fuel and it doesn't cover up the original covering. Just a note make sure the covering is clean and free from grease, I use electrical cleaner or it won't even stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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