Carefully follow the instructions included with the covering
you have selected.
❏
1. Bottom of the center section
❏
2. Right, then left wing tip
❏
3. Bottom right wing panel
❏
4. Bottom left wing panel
❏
5. Top left wing panel
*
❏
6. Top right wing panel
❏
7. Ailerons**
*
Temporarily place the wing shield on the wing, then lightly
trace its outline onto the wing. The covering should extend
past the line and “under lap” the wing shield by 1/8". The
wing shield must be glued directly to the bare foam, not the
covering. You will be instructed, at the proper time, to glue
the wing shield to the wing.
❏
1. Stab bottom plate
❏
2. Stab bottom left, then right**
❏
3. Stab top
❏
4. Elevator
❏
5. Fin Base Sides
❏
6. Fin left, then right side
❏
7. Rudder
**
Some modelers cover the
tips
of the ailerons, elevator,
rudder, stab and fin separately. If you use this method, this
should be done first. Generally, it is easiest to cover the stab
and fin in two pieces (halves). The ailerons, rudder and
elevator are smaller, so they may be covered in one piece
by “wrapping” the covering all the way around. Try to make
all seams in the covering face rearward or downward.
❏
1. Slit the covering on all the surfaces where each hinge
slot is located. Drill a 7/64" hole 1/2" deep in the center of
each slot. This will enable the CA to “wick” into the hinge
much better.
DRILL A 3/32" HOLE
1/2" DEEP, IN CENTER
OF HINGE SLOT
Glue The Hinges
Final Assembly
Cover The Tail In This Sequence**
Cover The Wing In This Sequence
Many modelers are experts at applying iron-on coverings to
wood surfaces but have never tried it over foam. Here are
some tips:
A Top Flite Hot Sock
™
is highly recommended for covering
the foam wing.
It helps distribute the heat and keeps dents,
scratches or “swirls” from being added during covering.
Find the optimum temperature of the iron.
The hotter the
better, up to the point of distorting the foam. The Top Flite
MonoKote Iron can be set at around “2-1/4”, but this may vary
from iron to iron. Use the flat center section on the bottom of
the wing as a test area. Cut out a piece of covering and apply it
to the bottom of the wing in the center. Increase the heat of the
iron until the covering gets that “pig skin” look (like a football).
At that point the iron is slightly too hot, so turn the heat down a
little and you're ready to apply the covering.
Start by touching the iron to the middle of the covering
and work outward when covering the wing (or other
large surfaces).
Lightly “push out” wrinkles and air bubbles as you get to
the edges.
Don't be afraid to press down on the iron and apply a little
pressure to the covering.
This helps bond it to the foam and
will eliminate wrinkles and air bubbles from appearing later.
Avoid moving the iron in a circular motion and hold it as
flat as possible.
Always use a sharp hobby knife to cut the covering.
Some
modelers prefer a single edge razor blade for this.
Tips For Covering A Foam Wing
With EconoKote Film
Cover The Wings & Tail Feathers
12