Do you put the wing in before....you monokote?

I am going to try my had at Monokote. I have a Skyray 35, and I am going to kote the whole plane. Question is do I monokote the wing before I push it into the fuse, or put the whole plane together and then kote it???

Thanks
Paul

Yes. Not only glue it in, but add some glass cloth and either epoxy or genuine polyester resin from the highpoint of the airfoil to the leading edge. And sand it out as if you were using tissue or whatever.

Same for the stab and fin (glue 'em on - no fibreglass).

Now, cut some strips of 1/4 inch film, and iron it into the corners. Use several pieces, as short as 1/2 inch if necessary. Later, when you come around to doing the wing and fuse, just lay it up reasonably close to the corner, and you're good to go. I'm assuming you're doing the entire plane in film. I know some folks do the fuse and other hard surfaces in paint - can't help you there.

I can say that I've done more than a few film jobs (I've decided genuine MonoKote is the only one to use - it takes a tremendous amount of heat to blow a hole in it, and it will shrink and shrink and shrink when trying to get that wingtip just right). I'm not the biggest fan of film (sort of think it are cheating), but there is a place for it. I've got a Carinal done with an American flag motif that I get compliments on everywhere I go. I laugh and tell them to stand back 15 feet, please. But it holds up (three years and counting) and didn't smell up the shop (a primary concern at the time). I did a Skyray with a Fox 35 that I believe came out at around 33 ounces. I certainly couldn't have done it that light with dope.

My other suggestion is use Balsarite(sp?) on plywood surfaces only. Balsa doesn't need it for adhering, but plywood does work better with it.

And one more item. Sanding. I laughed when I first heard it (from the late Mike Garmon and his buddy Willis Swindell), but it are true. I sand stuff I'm MonoKoting with 60 grit paper. And it works. They also recommended using the lowest heat possible, but I know I've applied beaucoup heat, both with a gun and an iron. And use a sock on your iron. Literally. The ones they sell are a bit pricey, and an old tube sock works just as well.

Use the 1/4 inch strips for the fillet areas. It works. Obviously, it won't work as well for the transparent colors, but it are the method I use. And only a few rather rude people laugh at my aeroplanes (note that they don't laugh at my flying - or at least I can't hear 'em).

Im sure that there are guys who do it eather way but remember that the glue must adhere well and monocoat isnt a good gluing surface.Also what about your fillets,if yoiu use them they wont stick to monocoat worth a darn. . Probobly most everybody glues the wing in before monocoating.and where the wing is not a perfect fit as long as th e alignment is correct the fillet makes the fit perfect. I personally hold the wing in alignment with hot stuff and then fill the gap with epoxy and microballoons.depends on th e structure .Keith V

When I use to monokote I would do the wing first. Place the wing in the fuse, Trace where it goes and cut small dimonds where the wing line falls. Epoxy in place and then Epoxolite filletts out 1/4 inch. Prime and paint fuse with monokote paint to match, "Wha-la" you have a nice finished airplane.

Here are two photos of my Belfrey Bound before and after covering with Mono-Kote. The covering was only 4.7 oz from bear wood to finished airplane.

Carl,

Nice Monokote job. Question, what method do you use to apply the two or more colours?

Regards,

I find that $koted tail feathers are much stronger and somewhat plyable for those ruff and tumble landings like with a flite streak flown on a grass field. I think you will be glad providing that you epoxied them on also with your skyray. Iv,e cartwheeled my streak many times with no damage at all. Monokote may be a cheesy way out, but its tough and works great for the average sport/fun/flyer. You,ll see what I mean. Good luck and happy flying < Paul

I saw those two dark shapes and I was thinking "fruitbats", until I looked more carefully..

On the Belfrey I cut out the purple and the white and overlaped them 1 inch and layed them out on a sheet of glass and ironed them together then covered the wing panels like it was just one color. It will save weight and cut down on air bubbles. I f you are adding trim I will use a wood pecker. I use a felt tip marker to makr where the trim will be so I do not put holes in the wrong place and when you are you can use some laquer thinner to clean off the marks.