Hangar 9 UltraCote 10 Meter, Midnight Blue

Summary

 



Surface area Preparation:
The covering job can only be as excellent as the finish of the surface it's used|used} over. In order for the covering to appropriately comply with a surface area, the surface should {first|initially} be smooth and clean. Sand the model using a sanding block and gradually finer sandpaper, with the final sanding being done with 320 grit paper. Vacuum away all of the dust, as specks of dust under the covering will leave unpleasant bumps. Fill gaps and damages with a premium filler. If using light-colored UltraCote® (such as white or yellow), use a tan-colored filler that matches the wood color to prevent the filler from {showing|revealing} through.

Pro Tip - Some professional home builders “raise the grain” then sand a 2nd time with 320 or 400 grit paper for the ultimate finish. After the model is sanded, use a wet cloth to wipe down the model. Some modelers prefer to use a fine-mist squirt bottle filled with water to moisten the surface areas to be covered. As the surface dries, inserted wood fibers in the surface will “stand up.” When dry, sand the surface areas once again using 320 or 400 grit paper. Raising the grain now and sanding it off will prevent the grain from raising later under the covering, producing a bumpy finish. Vacuum the model completely and avoid touching the model with oily hands.Your model is now check outy|prepared|all set} for covering!



Trim Movie to Size:
Start by covering the bottom of one wing half. Using scissors or sharp pastime knife, cut a piece of UltraCote® a few inches larger than required to cover the wing. Remove the backing (save for later) and position the covering with the adhesive (dull) side down, centered over the wing. Set the covering iron to the application temperature level|temperature level} of 220°F.

Pro Tip - If the iron you're using does not show the actual temperature, here is an idea that will guarantee your iron is appropriately set.Water boils at 212°F. Allow your iron to warm up at a medium setting. When the iron reaches its stabilized temperature, carefully pour a few drops of water on the iron's surface. Adjust the temperature until the water simply starts to boil off. This approach is remarkably accurate and is normally within 10° (of the precise application temperature of 220).


Tacking Covering to Spar:
Tack the covering to the spar or the peak of the wing, using your iron as shown (an iron sock is highly recommened). Carefully pull the covering towards the root and towards the suggestion, as you work the iron from the center of the spar to the root and suggestion of the wing. Press gently with the iron, permitting the heat (not pressure) to trigger the adhesive and bond the covering to the peak. Preferably, the covering will naturally lay flat versus the whole surface with a minimum of wrinkles.


Covering a Solid-Sheeted Wing:
If covering a solid-sheeted wing, work from the center of the spar external to the trailing edge and then to the cutting edge as shown, using the iron at 220°F. If a wrinkle develops, the covering can be carefully lifted and reapplied.


Covering an Open-Structure Wing:
If covering an open-structure wing, work from the spar towards the trailing edge, gently moving the iron (set at 220°) towards the trailing edge with the iron calling two ribs. Using your iron, adhere the covering to the remaining ribs, pursuing the suggestion and the root. Now finish the open structure leading edge, using the same approach. If the leading edge is sheeted, then follow the technique noted above under “Covering a Solid-Sheeted Wing.”


Sealing the Edges:
With the iron set to 220°F, seal the leading and trailing edges. Using a straight edge and a sharp #11 pastime knife, carefully trim the excess covering from the leading and trailing edge, permitting a minimum of a 1/4" overlap to twist around the leading and trailing edge of the wing. Now seal the leading and trailing edges safely with the covering iron.


Wing Tip:
Depending upon the amount of the curvature of the wing suggestion, high heat (as much as 350°F) might be required to shrink and stretch the covering to eliminate all the wrinkles. Preset the iron to 300°F. Pull and stretch the covering around the wing suggestion while using heat with the iron. Remember, UltraCote® can be carefully lifted and repositioned to assist eliminate wrinkles. This function is useful, specifically when covering sharply curved wing pointers. Continue working, pulling, and heating up the covering around the suggestion until the covering is past the center of the suggestion. It might be essential to increase the temperature of the iron to accomplish greater shrinking to eliminate all wrinkles. Cut the excess covering using a #11 pastime knife, then reseal the covering on the wing tip.

Pro Tip - If sealing the covering in tight areas such as corners or fillets, using the Hanger 9 ProTrim Sealing Tool is extremely useful and results in a professional finish.


Covering the Top of the Wing:
Using the backing from the wing panel that you simply covered as a design template, cut a piece of UltraCote® to be used to the top of the wing. Be sure to cut a leading panel, ensuring that the adhesive is on the right side. Use the covering to the top of the wing using the same strategies as described in steps 3 through 6. Be sure that the covering overlaps a minimum of a 1/4" when trimming the edges and safely seal the edges with the iron.


Shrinking the Covering:
Now it’s time to shrink the covering. With the iron set to 300°F, apply heat using the same pattern used to apply the covering starting at the spar and working external. It might be essential to increase the temperature to 320°F to get rid of stubborn wrinkles. Use the minimum amount of heat essential to tighten the covering.

Pro Tip - Usage heat, not pressure, to shrink the covering taught. If pressure is used, gouges can be pushed into the wood. Let heat, not pressure, do the work.
Alternate Approach: A heat weapon can also be used to shrink the covering. This works especially well over an open structure. It can also be used over a solid structure if a Hanger 9 Covering Glove™ is used to gently push the covering to the surface after heat is used.


Covering Fuselages and Other Strong Surface areas:
The technique for covering fuselages and other simple flat surface areas is identical to covering a solid wing. Start with the bottom, then sides, and lastly the top. Initially, tack the center of the surface down using an iron set to 220°F.Work external from the center, bonding the covering to the surface. Cut and seal the edges. About 1/4" or more overlap is advised when using the next piece of covering. Shrink the covering, using the same approach as described above.

Important: Even if you're experienced in using other brands of covering, it’s important to read the following directions. UltraCote® incorporates a unique multi temperature controlled adhesive and shrinking system that makes attaining professional covering results easy.

Multi-Temperature Control System:
Understanding the benefits of this system and how to use it will make covering with UltraCote® simple and assist to guarantee professional results. When using UltraCote®, there are three crucial temperature levels to be mindful of.

Application Tempature-220°F (100°C):
At 220°, the adhesive on UltraCote® becomes active, permitting the covering to be connected to the model.While 220° will fully bond the covering to the model, it is well below the temperature that triggers UltraCote® to shrink. This is precisely what's required when very first connecting covering to the model to prevent the covering from distorting.

Pro Tip - Lots of professional home builders mark this temperature on their covering iron with a marker or striping tape for quick reference, as this temperature is used regularly whenever placing on covering.

Shrink On-Set Temperature-300°F (134°C)
At 300°F, UltraCote® starts to shrink. This is called the Shrink On-Set point. After the covering is attached using an iron set to 220°F, the next action is to shrink the covering. This preliminary shrinking is done with the iron set at 300°F.
Maximum Shrinking Temperature-350°F (162°C)
At 350°F, UltraCote® reaches its optimum diminishing point. Raising the temperature above this point will not cause additional shrinking.

The rate of shrinkage is not directly in percentage to the temperature. The chart to the right demonstrates how most of the shrinking rate takes place between 300°F and 330°F. At greater temperature levels UltraCote® continues to shrink however at a much slower rate. The tiniest amount of shrinking takes place between 340°F and 350°F. This is useful to remember when diminishing and tightening covering.


Essential:Once UltraCote® is diminished to a particular temperature, a higher temperature should be used to additional shrink the covering. For example, if the covering was diminished using 320°F and wrinkles start to appear/reappear, it will be essential to use over 320°F to accomplish additional shrinkage.

Pro Tip - Always use the minimum heat essential to eliminate wrinkles when tightening the covering, thus permitting plenty of shrinkage/temperature variety remaining if it's essential to additional shrink the covering.



Helpful Tips

Several Colors:
When using covering with a 2nd color, it’s important that the light color be applied first (under the dark color) to prevent the dark color from showing through. Where colors satisfy or at the edge of the covering, it is important to not overheat this location (over 300°F), as this will shrink and distort the straight edge.

Use a Sealing Iron Sock:
A covering sock placed over the iron is highly advised, as it usually avoids the surface of the iron from scratching. The sock takes in heat and will require the user to work slower or to turn the warm up 10%. Nearly all professional home builders use covering socks. Garage 9™ offers one of the best that includes muslin on one side to prevent heat damage and soft cotton on the other side for a soft, scratch-free finish.

Dryer is Better:
Wood naturally takes in moisture.Wood designs really grow and shrink a little throughout various seasons. This can be experienced by traveling from the humid Midwest of the United State to the dry deserts of Las Vegas. After a few days in the desert, the model develops covering sags due to model shrinking. It is recommend that you cover the model in a dry environment if possible. Putting the model in a room with a dehumidifier for numerous days before covering the model might prevent the covering from drooping due to model shrinkage.

Painting:
UltraCote® will accept most kinds of polyurethane, epoxy, and automotive acrylic paints. It’s advised that the surface be scuffed with 000 steel wool or Scotch® bright pads then completely cleaned up with acetone or thinner before painting. Design Dope or butyrate-based paint are not suitable with UltraCote®.

Bubbles and Acnes:
Sometimes the intense heat from the sun can cause bubbles and acnes in the covering, specifically when using dark colors. To eliminate these, heat the bubbled location using a heat weapon to expand the air under the covering, triggering the bubble to increase. Rapidly pop the bubble using a needle then wipe the location using a cold, damp wash cloth. The damp wash cloth quickly cools the location, permitting the covering to re-adhere. It might take numerous shots to completely eliminate the bubble/blemish, however this approach works great.

Clean Up:
The adhesive can be eliminated from the iron or model using acetone or a mild thinner.