User Instructions

PREPARE THE MODEL

A covering job’s worst enemy is a poorly- nished model with rough surfaces,

gaps or uneven edges – MonoKote usually won’t hide these blemishes and

sometimes seams to magnify them – especially darker colors such as black

and insignia blue. When preparing a model for MonoKote, sand all surfaces

smooth and even with progressively  ner grades of sandpaper. No need to

go any  ner than 400-grit. Use compressed air or a shop-vac with a brush

attachment (or both!) to remove all dust and particles just before covering.

A covering job’s next-worst enemies are wrinkles and air bubbles. These

instructions will show you how to pre-tension MonoKote to prevent wrinkles

and seal it to the wood to minimize air bubbles.

SET YOUR IRON TEMPERATURE

For MonoKote, most of the time you’ll want the Trim Seal Tool set

to Hi, but occasionally Lo may be better. For the Sealing Iron, begin

with a dial setting of about 2 to 2-1/4. “Medium” heat (around 300°F

measured on the surface of the cover sock) is usually best. This will

allow the covering to adequately shrink while not causing excess air

bubbles that cannot be worked out. As the covering job progresses,

adjust the heat to suit your preferences.

APPLY THE COVERING

NOTE: The covering techniques demonstrated in the following pages can be applied to all parts of the model including

the fuselage, tail and control surfaces. A fully-sheeted wing is shown, but the techniques for covering an open-

framework wing are the same except where noted.

APPLY INITIAL TRIM PIECES

Taking care of small details  rst may seem tedious now, but in

the end results in a faster covering job that is thoroughly sealed

and looks better.

Begin by sealing corners and inconspicuous areas such as the

aileron cutouts in the wing that the main sheets of covering

won’t be as easy to reach.

1. Cut an oversize piece for the inboard aileron cutout and remove the

backing – a hobby blade may be used to pick-and-peel the backing at

one of the corners.

If, during the covering procedure, you forget which side has the adhesive, you can look at the covering

in the glare of your room lighting. The adhesive side will be dull and the top, outside will be shiny. If

you still can’t tell which is the top you can lightly touch your iron to the one side of the covering near

the edge; if the covering sticks that’s the bottom, if the covering doesn’t stick that’s the top.