How-To Guide

ManualsBrandsTop Flite ManualsAirplanesMonoKote Medium Purple 6'

Some models are shipped

with tape holding some of

the parts together. Before

proceeding, remove the

tape and use small paper

towel squares dampened

with naptha (lighter ﬂ uid)

to wash off any glue left

behind. Later, after you have

tightened all the covering,

CA debonder may be used

to clean off any pigmented

adhesive that gets deposited

on the model.

A model airplane covering iron with a protective cloth

cover will be required. The Coverite

™

21st Century

Sealing Iron (COVR2700) is recommended because

it has a contoured shoe, a calibrated temperature

dial and a long cord. A covering cloth protects the

covering and balsa underneath, but more importantly,

distributes heat from the iron more evenly. The cover

cloth for the Coverite iron is the 21st Century Cover

Sock (COVR2702).

After attaching the covering sock to your iron, the next

thing to do is set the iron to the correct temperature

for the covering that is on your model. If your model is

covered with Top Flite

MonoKote

and you are using

the 21st Century covering iron, set the temperature dial

to 325°F [160°C]. This should provide an actual surface

temperature on the bottom of the sock-covered iron of

approximately 280°F [140°C].

If you do not have a 21st Century covering iron or if

you are not certain what covering was used, you can

determine the ideal iron temperature yourself. Most

coverings work best using as much heat as possible, but

not so hot as to cause seams to pull away or the covering

to form “bubbles” over where it is attached to wood. To

ﬁ nd the optimum temperature, set the dial on your iron

to a medium/low heat. While pressing down on the iron,

glide it over covering on part of the model that is over

wood, such as leading edge sheeting or the bottom of

the fuselage. Observe the covering to see if any bubbles

appear. If bubbles do appear, the covering is too hot. Try

using a lower temperature until you can get the covering

to shrink and stick without bubbles forming.

If no bubbles appear, try more heat and repeat the test

until you can “zero in” on a temperature that will get the

covering to stick and shrink the most without causing

the seams to pull away or bubbles to form.

Once the ideal iron temperature has been determined

you are ready to begin. There are three objectives:

1) Remove wrinkles.

2) Tighten areas of loose covering (even if there are

no wrinkles visible).

3) Over framework and sheeting, securely bond the

covering to the wood.* To do all three correctly,

and to provide lasting results, you should go over

the entire model–including areas where loose

covering or wrinkles may not currently be present.

For most medium-sized models, this should take

about an hour.

*Even though there are no wrinkles and all the covering appears to be

tight, do not skip Step 3. Wherever the covering is over wood it must

be stuck down. Otherwise, over time or in the heat of the sun, bubbles

or other areas of covering that aren’t bonded to the wood may turn

into wrinkles.

Due to the nature of mass production, your ARF model’s factory-applied covering will probably require some attention to make it look the best that it can. Its appearance

can also be affected by variations in temperature and humidity between the time covering was applied and the time you remove your new model from the box. Please note

that removing wrinkles by hastily going over them with a heat gun or a covering iron will not provide the best, longest-lasting result. You should take your time to diligently

go over the entire model with a covering iron as described below.

HOW TO TIGHTEN COVERING ON ARF MODELS

Summary of content (2 pages)

PAGE 1
HOW TO TIGHTEN COVERING ON ARF MODELS Due to the nature of mass production, your ARF model’s factory-applied covering will probably require some attention to make it look the best that it can. Its appearance can also be affected by variations in temperature and humidity between the time covering was applied and the time you remove your new model from the box. Please note that removing wrinkles by hastily going over them with a heat gun or a covering iron will not provide the best, longest-lasting result.
PAGE 2
sock to bond the covering to the framework all the way around. Press down and make sure the covering is thoroughly attached. To begin, using little pressure, place the iron on the part and glide it from side to side over a 3-4" [80 – 100mm] area. Once you can see that the covering has tightened up continue moving the iron back and forth but apply pressure to stick the adhesive on the bottom of the covering to the wood—this is why a covering sock is required.