@lancair360mk2 Hi! You know, I'd seen what you described on certain motorcycle parts, but it didn't occur to me that there might be vendors who could do the job on fiberglass! Anyway, I'm committed to trying this method since it's so light and I've had excellent success with it on model aircraft- which, by the way, are routinely exposed to harsh chemicals and fairly rough treatment. Thanks for checking out my video!
I don't know... but if you do try it, I recommend using a thin coat of BALSARITE surface prep/ adhesive (from the hobby store) as I did with the fiberglass. It helps Monokote stick to difficult materials.
Have you been flying the airplane yet and how is the mono film holding up? I have a polished RV4 (with painted fiberglass tips) and always looking for better ideas.
Sorry to report that this airplane is in the early stages of construction, so that the first test of the material will be to see if it survives until the first flight!
I anticipate that it will hold up well based on model airplane experience. I have several models more than ten years old covered with monokote. In any case, it's easy to re-cover a part. I'm not sure how it would hold up to long-term outdoor storage, as model planes are typically "hangared".
glad you liked the idea. i'm always amazed (although i shouldn't be) at how many aircraft homebuilders got their start, as i did, "butchering balsa wood"!
good luck with your sonex!
mike sousa
#413, second owner, rear fuse, (shiny) tail feathers, control surfaces and some fwd fuse parts
Hi Jon, not sure yet, probably just the tips and wheel pants. This material is designed to cover open balsa wood frameworks, and it's very easy to use for that application. Fiberglass, or any other non-porous surface, is much more difficult to cover, since it requires applying a heat-sensitive adhesive prior to covering, and the non-porous nature of the surface makes it easy to get trapped air bubbles under the material. Ask a model builder who's used the stuff, and dont practice on real parts!
@lancair360mk2 Hi! You know, I'd seen what you described on certain motorcycle parts, but it didn't occur to me that there might be vendors who could do the job on fiberglass! Anyway, I'm committed to trying this method since it's so light and I've had excellent success with it on model aircraft- which, by the way, are routinely exposed to harsh chemicals and fairly rough treatment. Thanks for checking out my video!
sonex413 1 year ago
Do you know if Monokote would stick well to acrylic?
I can easily make stabilizer tips out of acrylic, and covering the tips with monokote would be greate...
carlossa52 2 years ago
I don't know... but if you do try it, I recommend using a thin coat of BALSARITE surface prep/ adhesive (from the hobby store) as I did with the fiberglass. It helps Monokote stick to difficult materials.
sonex413 2 years ago
Hi,
Have you been flying the airplane yet and how is the mono film holding up? I have a polished RV4 (with painted fiberglass tips) and always looking for better ideas.
Thanks for sharing,
Emma
frenchflyer21 2 years ago
Hello,
Sorry to report that this airplane is in the early stages of construction, so that the first test of the material will be to see if it survives until the first flight!
I anticipate that it will hold up well based on model airplane experience. I have several models more than ten years old covered with monokote. In any case, it's easy to re-cover a part. I'm not sure how it would hold up to long-term outdoor storage, as model planes are typically "hangared".
Mike
sonex413 2 years ago
P.S. I liked your video of the "Hoover Maneuver"! Well done!
sonex413 2 years ago
What a great idea!! I built RC planes before the Sonex - why didn't I think of this?? Thanks for posting.
Jim
Sonex #988
sactu1 2 years ago
glad you liked the idea. i'm always amazed (although i shouldn't be) at how many aircraft homebuilders got their start, as i did, "butchering balsa wood"!
good luck with your sonex!
mike sousa
#413, second owner, rear fuse, (shiny) tail feathers, control surfaces and some fwd fuse parts
sonex413 2 years ago
reflective enough I can JUST make out the side of your head!
shivajesus 3 years ago
lmao! I didn't think "the headhunters" would find me here!
Mike
sonex413 3 years ago
EXCELLENT!!!
Are you going to use that for just the tips or the cowling/wheelpants as well. I've got to try this.
Jon McDonald
Building Sonex #1287
mcjon77 3 years ago
Hi Jon, not sure yet, probably just the tips and wheel pants. This material is designed to cover open balsa wood frameworks, and it's very easy to use for that application. Fiberglass, or any other non-porous surface, is much more difficult to cover, since it requires applying a heat-sensitive adhesive prior to covering, and the non-porous nature of the surface makes it easy to get trapped air bubbles under the material. Ask a model builder who's used the stuff, and dont practice on real parts!
sonex413 3 years ago