We used Top Flite MonoKote White (TOPQ0204) and True
Red (TOPQ0227) to cover our Taylorcraft.
Suggested Covering Sequence
Fuselage and Tail:
❏
1. 1/4" strips at fin and stab as described
❏
2. Fin TE, followed by stab TE
❏
3. Fuselage bottom
❏
4. Fuselage right side
❏
5. Fuselage left side
❏
6. Fuselage top
❏
7. Stab bottom, followed by top
❏
8. Fin left side, followed by the right side
❏
9. Elevator LE
❏
10. Elevator bottoms, followed by the top
❏
11. Rudder LE, right side followed by the left side
❏
12. Die-cut 1/8" balsa Landing gear fairings
Wing:
❏
1. Trailing edges of wing
❏
2. Bottom right, followed by the left wing panel
❏
3. Top right, followed by the left wing panel
❏
4. Aileron LE, followed by the bottom and top
❏
5. Wing struts
After the model is covered, use fuel proof model paint, 30-
minute epoxy thinned with alcohol or finishing resin to coat
areas that may be exposed to raw fuel or exhaust residue
such as the firewall, wing saddle and fuel tank area. Top Flite
LustreKote
®
is a high quality paint that is fuel proof and
perfectly matches Top Flite MonoKote. The paint is well
suited to putting a high quality finish on ABS (cowl and wheel
pants), but does have a tendency to curl materials such as
styrene and butyrate (windshield and side windows).
The following procedure allows you to airbrush LustreKote
with good results. The recommended procedure requires
that the paint be sprayed into a jar or plastic mixing cup.
This is best done by spraying the paint through a small
brass tube or straw into the jar. For best results spray no
more than ½ oz. of paint into the jar at a time. As the
propellant “boils off” it will cause the paint to foam slightly.
Leave the paint in the open container, stirring every 15
minutes until no more foam appears on the surface of the
paint and the paint has warmed to room temperature. This
allows the propellant and some of the thinner to evaporate
out of the paint. Depending on the amount of paint in the jar,
this process may take about 1 hour.
After allowing the propellant to boil off, use an airbrush to
spray paint the windshield. If the paint is too thick to spray
properly, it can be thinned with a small amount of lacquer
thinner. Do not thin with more than 40% thinner. In general,
about 10% thinner will adequately thin the paint for
airbrushing. The paint can also be brushed on, but brushing
will not produce the high quality finish of spraying.
Allow the paint to dry overnight before gluing it on the plane.
We recommend that the windshield be glued on within 48
hours of being painted.
If you have any doubt about the material you are painting,
we suggest that you try painting on a small piece of leftover
material and watch it for a few days to be sure that you are
satisfied with the end results.
❏
1. Cut the covering from the hinge slots in the elevator
and stab. Also cut the covering from the groove for the
elevator joiner wire and the tailgear wire.
❏
2. Clean the elevator joiner wire with alcohol and a paper
towel to remove any oil residue.
❏
3. Reinstall the CA hinges in the elevator without glue.
INSTALLING CA HINGES
The hinge material supplied in this kit consists of a 3-layer
lamination of mylar and polyester. It is specially made for
the purpose of hinging model airplane control surfaces.
Properly installed, this type of hinge provides the best
combination of strength, durability and ease of installation.
We trust even our best show models to these hinges, but
it is essential to install them correctly. Please read the
following instructions and follow them carefully to obtain
the best results. These instructions may be used to
effectively install any of the various brands of CA hinges.
The most common mistake made by modelers when
installing this type of hinge is not applying a sufficient
amount of glue to fully secure the hinge over its entire
Install the Hinges
FINAL HOOKUPS AND CHECKS
We used LustreKote White (TOPR7204) and True Red
(TOPQ7227) to paint the cowl, wheel pants and
windshield. The inside of the fuselage was brushed with
flat black in the cabin area.
Do not paint the clear windshield with LustreKote directly
from the can. It can cause the plastic to curl. We
recommend Formula-U for painting the clear windshield
directly from the can or the following procedure can be
used for successful results with LustreKote.
Painting Your Model
42
