Was: Solartex or 21st Century fabric

Haven't used Solartex, so the following might not apply . . .

Most fabrics indeed have a "grain", and most polyester fabrics (iron-on fabric covering is polyester) are grain-sensitive in that the specified percentage of shrink is with the grain, not cross-grain.

Coverite's Super Coverite has directions, in the literature supplied with the product, on identifying the grain direction, and which way to run the grain on the model.

Don't recall right now which way it is, but it's semi-obvious when you have the fabric in your hands.

So . . . if the instructions for Solartex don't mention grain it's probably a don't-care. If grain is addressed, probably best to do it their way.

Cheers, Fred McClellan The House Of Balsa Dust

I've not noticed a "grain" with Solartex.

Dr.1 Driver "There's a Hun in the sun!"

On 1/21/2004 4:36 PM Ted shuffled out of his cave and grunted these great (and sometimes not so great) words of knowledge:

I have not noticed a "grain" with SolarTex nor do they mention anything about a grain in their instructions.

The fabric trim will definitely show. Depending on the complexity of the trim scheme, you may want to make your own decals. Bel Decal

has inkjet water slide decal paper in both clear and white background. I have used it with excellent results (and cost savings).

Yes. Solartex, like other fabric coverings shows a "fabric" weave. However, we were discussing the shrinkage rate difference between lengthwise and crosswise. If you can't find colors to match your trim or insignia scheme, you will definitely have to make your own. Dr.1 Driver "There's a Hun in the sun!"

Do any of you guys using Solartex have problems keeping it shrunk tight. I used it on a Proctor Nieuport 11 and had great success applying it. But I've notice as the model has been sitting in my basement the past couple of months that its been developing sags. No problem reshrinking with the heat gun, but I'm wondering if I'll have to reshrink every now and again. Sags could also be due to wooden model frame shrinking a bit due to dry winter weather.

Thoughts?

Keith

That's the only drawback to this product. It does need to be reshrunk from time to time. Dr.1 Driver "There's a Hun in the sun!"

I've had the same thing, having to re-shrink every now and again. Unitl I painted one of my models with 2K enamel. Sagged a lot less since then. The

2K must stabilize the fabric or something. Dunno.

Now, I make sure the Solartex is drum tight, then the 2K sprayjob goes on. Loses a little bit of the tightness after a day or so, but not much, and seems to stay like that forever more.

I find that Solartex settles down a bit after you've shrunk it a couple of times, then outlasts the airframe.

-- Philip Rawson