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How to Cover MonoKote Wing Tips

MonoKote is a heat shrink film that is used to cover RC airplanes. It is color impregnated and has heat-activated glue on one side. MonoKote is fuel-proof, which makes it the covering of choice for modelers building nitro- or gas-powered RC airplanes. Covering flat surfaces like the sides of a fuselage are easily done with a covering iron. Covering wing tips can be tricky due to their compound form. The MonoKote needs to be tacked to the wing tip and stretched at the same time to achieve a beautiful finish.

Things You'll Need

Sharp hobby knife
Heat gun or iron
Tack cloth
Sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Sand the wing tip smooth and remove all sanding residue. The secret to a quality finish is to prep the area well. Make sure there are no globs of glue protruding past any of the wing structure. Use a tack cloth to remove any dust created while sanding.
- 2
  Make sure there is enough MonoKote to hold onto without exposing your hand to the heat gun or iron. MonoKote needs to be stretched while heated to create a tight smooth finish. Ideally you should be able to hold the MonoKote taught with your hand under the wing, letting the MonoKote shield your hand from the heat.
- 3
  Work from the leading edge of the wing to the trailing edge. Tack the MonoKote to the leading edge with the iron and slowly attach it to the outer edge of the wing tip. Keep the MonoKote tight at all times. Work a small area at a time to avoid creasing the MonoKote.
- 4
  Tack the MonoKote to the trailing edge of the wing. The wing tip should be fully covered; however, the MonoKote may need to be tightened up. Use a heat gun to remove all wrinkles from the MonoKote.

Aviation