Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / June 2004

All of the above.

Depends on how fussy you are - but a patch of some of the self-adhesive
"Solarfilm" used for "decals"/stripes or just some sticky tape if it's an
electric (no fuel problem).  You won't be able to see it when it's
flying.

Depends on how good you want the plane to look.  1. You can replace the whole
piece.  2. You can cut small patches of the same color and iron them over the
holes.  3. You can use "100 mph" tape (clear packing tape) over the holes.
Dr.1 Driver
"There's a Hun in the sun!"

Holes this small can be repaired by lifting any depressed section with
an Xacto knife to get it level with the surface and applying a bead of
medium cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) along the crack.  It will be almost
invisible when cured.

If you mess it up performing the above, your best bet is to seal the
area around the hole by ironing down the film to the surrounding
framework.  Cut the section out, and construct a patch just slightly
larger than is needed Carefully iron down the longest edge, just
overlapping the rib or sheeting.  Stretch the patch to the opposite
side, and iron down all but the area closest to the edge.  Stretch
the remaining ends into place and iron them down.  Trim any excess,
and shrink the patch with your heat gun or iron.  If done properly,
the seams will be almost invisible.

Jim - AMA 501383

Just get a hole puncher from stationary store or your office and punch 2
holes of self stick vinyl.

You can either patch with small pieces of heat covering, replace the entire
section (if looks are that important to you) or just stick on some clear 3M
tape. All methods work. The patch idea would be best in my opinion if looks
are not important. If its a trainer, you will probably be adding more
patches anyway!

Do you know what kind of film it is?  Small holes in Monocote and
Ultracoat(Oracover) can usually be patched by cutting a patch about 3 times
the diameter of the hole and carefully ironing it on.  The idea is to make
it stick without shrinking.  Once it is attached, shrink as you normally
would.

If it is a solid surface with covering over it, you can patch any size hole
with a patch a little larger than the missing covering.

For a temporary repair, use clear packing tape.  I have seen these
"temporary" repairs last for a couple of years, although the sun and fuel
will degrade the tape and the adhesive.

A ragged tear or large hole is best patched by replacing the bay (the area
between two ribs.)  Iron down the existing covering around the outside of
the bay so it will stay in place.  Cut out the bay, leaving about 1/8 inch
of the original covering.  Cut slits into the corners so that the 1/8 inch
border can be folded down into the bay.  I usually iron this edge to the
ribs, spars and trailing edges inside the hole.  Cut new covering about 1/4
inch bigger than the panel all around.  Tack at one corner, stretch the
opposite corner and tack it, then stretch and tack the other two corners.
(I use a Cool Hand, a glove made for working next to hot irons to help
stretch it.)  Iron the edge down all the way around, then use a heat gun to
shrink out the wrinkles.

None of the above applies to the slow flyers - I have never flown one.

-- Mike Norton