Hangar 9 UltraCote, Pearl Blue

Hangar 9® UltraCote® is a high tech polyester covering that includes a unique multi temperature level-controlled adhesive and shrinkage system, making it versatile and simple to use. A trademarked polymerizing process permanently fuses the color to the polyester movie covering, eliminating the possibilities of color-layer separation and permits repositioning the covering on your design. UltraCote's distinct ability to both diminish and extend make it superior to other coverings for going around tight curves and wingtips.

Temp ranges are as follows:

Adhesion to wood starts at 200 to 220 degrees F.

Shrinkage start starts at 300 degrees F.

Maximum shrinkage is at 350 degrees F.

Detailed Info

Surface area Preparation:

The covering job can only be as good as the surface of the surface it's used over. In order for the covering to effectively adhere to a surface, the surface needs to initially be smooth and tidy. Sand the design using a sanding block and gradually finer sandpaper, with the last 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 dents 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 avoid the filler from revealing through.

Pro Idea - Some professional home builders “raise the grain” then sand a 2nd time with 320 or 400 grit paper for the ultimate surface. After the design is sanded, use a moist cloth to clean down the design. Some modelers choose to use a fine-mist squirt bottle filled with water to moisten the surfaces to be covered. As the surface dries, imbedded wood fibers in the surface will “stand up.” When dry, sand the surfaces again using 320 or 400 grit paper. Raising the grain now and sanding it off will avoid the grain from raising later under the covering, developing a rough surface. Vacuum the design completely and avoid touching the design with oily hands.Your design is now all set for covering!

Trim Movie to Size:

Start by covering the bottom of one wing half. Utilizing scissors or sharp hobby knife, cut a piece of UltraCote® a couple of inches larger than needed to cover the wing. Get rid of the backing (save for later) and place the covering with the adhesive (dull) side down, focused over the wing. Set the covering iron to the application temperature level of 220°F.

Pro Idea - If the iron you're using does not show the actual temperature level, here is a suggestion that will guarantee your iron is effectively set.Water boils at 212°F. Permit your iron to heat up at a medium setting. When the iron reaches its supported temperature level, thoroughly put a couple of drops of water on the iron's surface. Adjust the temperature level till the water simply starts to boil off. This method is surprisingly precise and is typically within 10° (of the specific application temperature level 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). Gently pull the covering towards the root and towards the idea, as you work the iron from the center of the spar to the root and idea of the wing. Press gently with the iron, allowing the heat (not pressure) to trigger the adhesive and bond the covering to the peak. Preferably, the covering will naturally lay flat versus the entire surface with a minimum of wrinkles.

Covering a Solid-Sheeted Wing:

If covering a solid-sheeted wing, work from the center of the spar outward to the tracking edge then to the leading edge as shown, using the iron at 220°F. If a wrinkle establishes, the covering can be thoroughly lifted and reapplied.

Covering an Open-Structure Wing:

If covering an open-structure wing, work from the spar towards the tracking edge, gently moving the iron (set at 220°) towards the tracking edge with the iron contacting two ribs. Utilizing your iron, adhere the covering to the staying ribs, pursuing the idea and the root. Now complete the open structure leading edge, using the exact same method. If the leading edge is sheeted, then follow the method listed above under “Covering a Solid-Sheeted Wing.”

Sealing the Edges:

With the iron set to 220°F, seal the leading and tracking edges. Utilizing a straight edge and a sharp #11 hobby knife, thoroughly cut the excess covering from the leading and tracking edge, allowing a minimum of a 1/4" overlap to wrap around the leading and tracking edge of the wing. Now seal the leading and tracking edges safely with the covering iron.

Wing Idea:

Depending on the amount of the curvature of the wing idea, high heat (approximately 350°F) might be needed to diminish and extend the covering to eliminate all the wrinkles. Preset the iron to 300°F. Pull and extend the covering around the wing idea while using heat with the iron. Keep in mind, UltraCote® can be thoroughly lifted and rearranged to help eliminate wrinkles. This function is helpful, specifically when covering greatly curved wing tips. Continue working, pulling, and warming the covering around the idea till the covering is past the center of the idea. It might be essential to increase the temperature level of the iron to accomplish higher shrinkage to eliminate all wrinkles. Trim the excess covering using a #11 hobby knife, then reseal the covering on the wing tip.

Pro Idea - If sealing the covering in tight areas such as corners or fillets, using the Hangar 9® ProTrim Sealing Tool is extremely useful and leads to an expert finish.

Covering the Top of the Wing:

Utilizing the backing from the wing panel that you simply covered as a template, cut a piece of UltraCote® to be used to the top of the wing. Make sure to cut a leading panel, making certain that the adhesive is on the right side. Apply the covering to the top of the wing using the exact same techniques as described in actions 3 through 6. Make sure that the covering overlaps a minimum of a 1/4" when cutting the edges and safely seal the edges with the iron.

Shrinking the Covering:

Now it's time to diminish the covering. With the iron set to 300°F, use heat using the exact same pattern utilized to use the covering starting at the spar and working outward. It might be essential to increase the temperature level to 320°F to get rid of stubborn wrinkles. Utilize the minimum amount of heat essential to tighten up the covering.

Pro Idea - Usage heat, not pressure, to diminish the covering taught. If pressure is used, gouges can be pressed into the wood. Let heat, not pressure, do the work.

Alternate Approach: A heat weapon can also be utilized to diminish the covering. This works particularly well over an open structure. It can also be utilized over a strong structure if a Garage 9 Covering Glove™ is utilized to gently press the covering to the surface after heat is applied.

Covering Fuselages and Other Solid Surfaces:

The method for covering fuselages and other easy flat surfaces is identical to covering a strong wing. Start with the bottom, then sides, and finally the top. First, tack the center of the surface down using an iron set to 220°F. Work outward from the center, bonding the covering to the surface. Trim and seal the edges. About 1/4" or more overlap is recommended when using the next piece of covering. Shrink the covering, using the exact same method as described above.

Important: Even if you're experienced in using other brands of covering, it is very important to read the following directions. UltraCote® includes a unique multi temperature controlled adhesive and shrinkage system that makes achieving professional covering outcomes easy.

Multi-Temperature Control System:

Comprehending the advantages of this system and how to use it will make covering with UltraCote® simple and assist to make sure professional outcomes. When using UltraCote®, there are 3 essential temperature levels to be aware of.

Application Tempature-220°F (100°C):

At 220°, the adhesive on UltraCote® becomes active, allowing the covering to be attached to the model.While 220° will fully bond the covering to the design, it is well below the temperature level that causes UltraCote® to diminish. This is exactly what's needed when first connecting covering to the design to avoid the covering from distorting.

Pro Idea - Lots of professional home builders mark this temperature level on their covering iron with a marker or striping tape for quick recommendation, as this temperature level is utilized regularly whenever putting on covering.

Shrink On-Set Temperature-300°F (134°C)

At 300°F, UltraCote® starts to diminish. 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 diminish the covering. This preliminary shrinking is done with the iron set at 300°F.

Maximum Shrinkage Temperature-350°F (162°C)

At 350°F, UltraCote® reaches its optimum shrinking point. Raising the temperature level above this point will not cause more shrinkage.

The rate of shrinkage is not directly in percentage to the temperature level. The chart to the right shows how most of the shrinkage rate takes place in between 300°F and 330°F. At greater temperature levels UltraCote® continues to diminish but at a much slower rate. The tiniest amount of shrinkage takes place in between 340°F and 350°F. This is useful to keep in mind when shrinking and tightening up covering.

Important:As soon as UltraCote® is shrunk to a particular temperature level, a greater temperature level needs to be utilized to more diminish the covering. For example, if the covering was shrunk using 320°F and wrinkles begin to appear/reappear, it will be essential to use over 320°F to accomplish more shrinkage.

Pro Idea - Constantly use the minimum heat essential to get rid of wrinkles when tightening up the covering, hence allowing plenty of shrinkage/temperature range staying if it's essential to more diminish the covering.

Helpful Hints

Multiple Colors:

When using covering with a 2nd color, it is very important that the light color be used initially (under the dark color) to avoid the dark color from revealing through. Where colors satisfy or at the edge of the covering, it is essential to not overheat this location (over 300°F), as this will diminish and misshape the straight edge.

Use a Sealing Iron Sock:

A covering sock put over the iron is highly recommended, as it usually prevents the surface of the iron from scratching. The sock absorbs heat and will need the user to work slower or to turn the warm up 10%. Practically all professional home builders use covering socks. Hangar 9 uses one of the very best that includes muslin on one side to avoid heat damage and soft cotton on the other side for a soft, scratch-free finish.

Dryer is Better:

Wood naturally absorbs moisture.Wood designs really grow and diminish slightly throughout various seasons. This can be experienced by traveling from the damp Midwest of the United State to the dry deserts of Las Vegas. After a couple of days in the desert, the design establishes covering droops due to design shrinkage. It is advise that you cover the design in a dry environment if possible. Placing the design in a room with a dehumidifier for numerous days prior to covering the design might avoid the covering from drooping due to design shrinkage.

Painting:

UltraCote® will accept most types of polyurethane, epoxy, and automotive acrylic paints. It's recommended that the surface be scuffed with 000 steel wool or Scotch® intense pads then completely cleaned up with acetone or thinner prior to painting. Model Dope or butyrate-based paint are not suitable with UltraCote®.

Bubbles and Acnes:

Periodically the extreme heat from the sun can cause bubbles and imperfections in the covering, specifically when using dark colors. To get rid of these, heat the bubbled location using a heat weapon to broaden the air under the covering, causing the bubble to increase. Rapidly pop the bubble using a needle then clean the location using a cold, wet wash cloth. The wet wash cloth rapidly cools the location, allowing the covering to re-adhere. It might take numerous attempt to totally get rid of the bubble/blemish, but this method works great.

Clean Up:

The adhesive can be eliminated from the iron or design using acetone or a mild thinner.

Features
High tech polyester covering
Unique multi temperature-controlled adhesive shrinkage system
Versatile and simple to use
Patented polymerizing process permanently fuses the color to the polyester movie covering, eliminating the possibilities of color-layer separation and permits repositioning of the covering on your model.
Light weight at .30 oz/sq. ft.
Fuel evidence to radiance fuel, gas, and smoke oil. Water evidence as well.

Specs
Color: Blue
Length: 6.5' (78")
Weight: .3oz per square foot
Width: 23.5"