Covering Models with Tissue and Mylar
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Over the last couple years a number of modelers have been discovering the advantages of covering light models with a combination of Mylar and Tissue. I have watched the discussions with interest, and finally got a chance to try it out.
The model I chose to try this method was a Jimmie Allen BA Parasol. It was built from a laser cut kit by Bob Holman (highly recommended). Based on my experiences, and the input from other modelers like Michael J Woodhouse, Graham Knight, Tapio Linkosalo and Maris Dislers, here is a summary/F.A.Q. for the technique.
What is meant by "Tissue over Mylar"?
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What are the advantages of this technique? What does it look like when the model is covered? Doesn't covering the model "twice" take a lot of extra time? Isn't covering the model twice really heavy? How does one attach Mylar to the bare bones? How do you attach the tissue to the Mylar?
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Tissue over Mylar is a method of applying a composite covering to the open framework of models. Its attraction is that the shortcomings of using either mylar or tissue alone are overcome. First you cover the airframe with mylar, tighten it, and finally use thin dope to attach some tissue on top of the Mylar.
The big difference using Mylar is that the covering is already airtight before you have even applied any dope, so you really just need enough dope to stick the Tissue or Silk to the Mylar and you can leave it at that. It's quite a bit lighter than brushing several coats of dope, the end result is more stable, it's less likely to warp over time, although warps can be put in easily using a heat gun or hair dryer and twisting the surface. It is also less affected by damp, it won't go slack on wet days. It is a bit more puncture resistant, not a lot, don't expect a bullet proof finish! Like many composite techniques, combining tissue and Mylar makes use of the benefits of both materials, while minimizing the disadvantages. Mylar is waterproof and light, but does not significantly add rigidity to the structure unless you use a thicker and therefore heavier grade. It does exhibit good puncture resistance. Somewhat the reverse is true for tissue as regards mechanical properties. When doped, it adds stiffness to the airframe, but to seal it for air and water, you will add a lot of weight with multiple coats of dope. It is a useful technique for outdoor models in that even with just the one coat of dope, the combination doesn't go slack in the damp. The underlying Mylar also allows easy color changes between the structural elements of the model without doubling upon the tissue. Another advantage is that the mylar seals the inside of the tissue, preventing staining from rubber lube as the model ages. It also provides increased puncture resistance reducing the amount of needed patching as you fly. Both of these factors will help preserve the original appearance of your model.
When adding tissue over clear Mylar, it should look like a well done covering job with tissue alone. With tissue on silver the paper looks solid. This is a real advantage for folks who want an opaque finish for a scale model. One difference in appearance is that you can easily make color changes between the structural elements of the model without doubling up on the tissue. Note that on my BA Parasol the red does not lay on top of the white tissue. There is only a small overlap to help keep the edges down. Without the mylar, this type of color scheme would have required adding weight with red paint, having two layers of tissue under the color trim or laboriously joining the sheets of tissue before covering, and praying successfully that they would shrink at identical rates.
Don't listen to the comments about "covering it twice" taking too long. Much of the time taken to cover with Mylar is offset by the time saved not adding more coats of dope. Also, the tissue goes on the mylar faster than on the bare framework. If the end result is better (and it is) then it's worth a little extra time.
Here is a surprise, and a good one at that! Properly done, this technique should weigh less than covering with just tissue and dope. How does this work? Dope is really heavy. Several coats are required to fully seal for air and water resistance with just tissue. When adding tissue on top of a light Mylar film, just a single coat of very thin dope will do. The mylar provides all the air and water proofing while the doped tissue adds color and stiffness. Most modelers are using this technique on models to be flown outdoors. Indoor models are often not doped to keep them as light as possible. Adding Mylar will of course add weight.
No, but... The tissue adds stiffness and colour. It also makes the model look "correct"!
Inevitably when covering a model, there are warps that you will want to remove, as well as some you will want to add. Although the film is more plastic than tissue, there is still a slight tendency for it to induce warps when covering. The solution to remove the warp is obvious. Just re-heat the film in the appropriate place, twist and reset the warp. The opposite works for applying warps for trim. Heat, twist and reset. If you have covered the model in aluminised film, because of reflections, it is sometimes very difficult to spot the warp. This is only a problem when straightening the wing before adding the tissue. A bit of persistance will pay off.
Cutting and trimming Mylar is best achieved using a sharp new blade, older dull blades may well tear the Mylar. The thinner the Mylar the worse the issue so be careful, but the key is a sharp and clean blade. Also far less tearing occurs you cut tissue or Mylar on one of those green, self healing graphic artist's cutting mats. A rotary knife is also worth a try if you have one. If you haven't got a cutting mat, go out and buy one. They are relatively cheap and will last for years even if you hack into 1/16 ply on them. You'll find your blades stay sharp for longer too.
This is straight forward and will seem pretty familiar to anyone who has used modern covering materials fron the R/C side of the local hobby shop. First though, a little prep work is in order. Since the Mylar has no adhesive on it, some sort of adhesive needs to be applied to the airframe. Before painting on the adhesive, the airframe should be sealed with dope or sanding sealer. One thinned coat, sanded smooth, should suffice. We have found that various adhesives will secure the Mylar. All that is required is an adhesive that will dry then soften again when heat is applied. The adhesives used to attached standard iron film i.e. Balsaloc or Balsarite (fabric formulae) or SIG Stix-It are all suitable, as are many handyman contact cements, such as Evostick or Weldwood Contact Cement. Some glue sticks are also suitable so try your favourite adhesive. It may be OK. Many of these products are far too thick and need to be thinned down before application. The adhesive should be thinned down to the consistency of dope. This will allow the adhesive to be brushed onto the structure without stringing. If the adhesive strings, it is still too thick. Just dilute with more solvent. You may find it easier and better if two thin coats of adhesive are applied rather one thicker coat. After coating the airframe check that there are no lumps in the adhesive before covering. you might want to lightly sand before attaching the Mylar. Apply the adhesive to all the areas that the Mylar will touch. This means leading edge, trailing edge, ribs, spars, gussets, everything. Once the adhesive is dry, covering can commence. Because the adhesive has been thinned, it will dry within minutes so there is no long wait before covering can commence. If one is using Mylar in a lightly loaded environment i.e. indoor, the aerosol spray-on adhesives can be used. The airframe can be coated with a sprayed on adhesive, the majority of the adhesive will be wasted on open structures but this is a way to apply a thin and light layer of adhesive. Once sprayed on the covering process is as above. If you go down this route cover up well to avoid the messy over spray!
Covering the model
You may find it helpful to use a spot or two of fresh adhesive to tack the film in place before activating the dried adhesive with the iron. Re-heat the glue to make the Mylar attach to the structure. A small trim type covering iron is best, as it is very light and damaging the framework is less likely. Gently work around the edges of the structures heating the Mylar and softening the adhesive so that the film attaches. Once you are happy that the edges are firmly in place, trim back the surplus and seal the edges. With some more of the thinned down Evostick, paint around the edges where there will be any overlap and apply the other surface. Cut another piece of Mylar to size for the top surface. Lay this in place and attach as for the lower surface. Trim off the edges, wrap around and seal. Trimming is best achieved using a sharp new blade, older dull blades may well tear the Mylar. The thinner the Mylar the worse the issue so be careful, but the key is a sharp and clean blade. If care is taken the surplus can be removed with sandpaper, this method needs practice to get a good result. Now, slowly and carefully, working both top and bottom surfaces, use the iron to melt the adhesive on the rest of the structure and attach the film. Once all the structure has been attached to the film, shrinking can take place. Slowly and carefully shrink the film into position, ironing the wrinkles out to the edge. The adhesive will melt and the film will move to get rid of any wrinkles around the edges. One of the problems you will observe is the air expanding inside the structure and causing the film to "balloon". You can either ventilate by making pin holes in the covering or put up with the problem because as the film slowly shrinks into place, the "ballooning" will reduce. Beware though that these pin holes give an opportunity at a later date for tears to take place. Perhaps the best solution is to "vent" each rib bay with small holes in the ribs. A last small hole in the center sheeting will allow the wing to breathe.
Before heat shrinking the film, a quick test will find if your iron turned up to maximum heat will melt the Mylar. Howver, be aware that if attaching aluminised film to carbon, heat can build up in the structure and spoil the aluminised finish. Also keep the shoe of the iron clean free of adhesive and dust, a quick wipe with solvent will do the job. Adhesive on the shoe will attract dirt which may scratch or even tear the film.
Recovery
When applying the tisue or silk, it should be damp so as to conform more easily to the undulations and curves of the mylar surface. Once it is positioned as desired, flow on a thin coat of Nitrate dope cut to 50:50 or more. Once this coat dries, it is likely that the dope will have "blushed" a bit. The offending whiteness is a result of the moisture in the covering, and is easily removed by wiping on another light coat of dope, or even just making a pass with thinners. For rubber models and gliders a second coat after a bit of sanding is all you need. Glow and diesel models might need another coat or two to protect the tissue from the fuel and exhaust. Since you are using a highly thinned dope, the weight gain will be minimal.
Silk on Mylar also works well, and is very popular with some folks looking for a lighter covering for their models when silk is required. As mentioned above, it should also be applied while damp.
Suitable Mylar is available from many sources. See the addresses below. Mylar is the trade name given by DuPont of the U.S.A. to a polyester film. Mylar is also sold under other trade names such as Melinex. The film is unaffected by moisture and most other common chemicals. It is also temperature stable unless heated to around 200°C+ when it will shrink. The film can be attached as a covering and then shrunk to give a smooth and tight finish. The film is available in both clear and aluminised finishes. The aluminisation of the film makes it gas tight due to the size of the molecules of aluminium even helium cannot get through. Remember that the aluminisation process of the Mylar reduces to some extent its ability to shrink under heat. The best Mylar to use on all sizes of models is the thinnest, 5 micron. It is really only there to avoid the use of excessive amounts of dope to seal the tissue, and to give a degree of stability to the covering, using thicker Mylar adds some rigidity, but I think this is better achieved by using a heavier grade of tissue, or using Silk. Thicker Mylar is harder to work around curves, and appears to delaminate easier being less flexible.
Here are the names, email addresses and web sites for the modelers who shared the information that became this guide. Note that Michael J Woodhouse sells FF supplies, including Mylar.
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