Author: Sal Calvagna

Edition: Model Aviation - 2021/06
Page Numbers: 74, 75
Planetex covering system, fabric roll, and Stewart Systems products

RC GIANT SCALE

Planetex covering system, fabric roll, and Stewart Systems products
The Planetex covering system from Balsa USA.

BALSA USA
ORATEX AND
PLANETEX

By Sal Calvagna | rcgiants@optonline.net

WELCOME BACK. I dearly hope that all of my readers, your families, and friends are safe and healthy during the current health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has left too many of us with little to do outside the home.

On a positive note, however, modelers have had the opportunity to spend more time in their workshops practicing their art. I know it has afforded me a welcome opportunity to escape all of the problems of the world for hours at a time. I hope it has done the same for our members.

Covering

My first experience with using covering material from Balsa USA came approximately 37 years ago while I was stationed in the Philippines. I ordered a 1/3-scale Fly Baby biplane kit and enough Solartex fabric to complete it. I was amazed at how Solartex would stretch around a curve without a wrinkle and how strong it was compared with film covering. I was hooked.

Throughout the years, I must have used hundreds of feet of it to cover all of those World War I-type aircraft that I have built. Suddenly, Solarfilm, the manufacturer of Solartex and based in the United Kingdom, ceased operations. It was no longer available—a sad day for many Giant Scale modelers.

Thanks to the great people at Balsa USA, a similar product was found and is currently being offered as two types of fabric covering: Planetex and Oratex. Oratex is the direct replacement for Solartex. It’s an iron-on polyester fabric with excellent shrink capability to go around curves. It also has a great adhesive and is treated to be fuel and oil resistant. It is available in 2-meter or 5-meter rolls that are 24 inches in width. I can attest that it is an amazing product. It is now my new favorite covering material for its ease of use.

Close view of wrinkles in Oratex wing covering
The top of the wing is shown covered with Oratex. Just look at those nasty wrinkles.
Finished wing covered with Oratex
The Oratex covering on the finished wing is flawless.
Wing framework with EkoBond glue being applied
Stewart EkoBond glue is first applied to the framework then again over the material where it meets the framework.
Smooth wing covering after heat-gun application
This is the same area of the wing after using a covering heat gun. All of the wrinkles are gone.
Lightweight covering material cut to fit a wing
The lightweight material is cut to size.
Covered wing receiving sealer or primer
A sealer/primer is used to seal the material to prepare it for paint.

The Planetex covering system is a lightweight material with a tight weave and an amazing shrink rate. It requires slightly more work because the lightweight material does not have a glue backing or sealer, but the results are outstanding.

The first step for installation is to coat the open framework with glue. I used Stewart EkoBond glue from Balsa USA. After the glue tacks up, the EkoBond is applied again over the material to further adhere it to the wood. When it dries, the Planetex is shrunk using a heat gun. The final stage is to coat the entire covering with Stewart EkoFill, a flexible, high-build primer with ultraviolet protection. Then it’s ready for paint.

For the complete tutorial on how to install Planetex, visit the Balsa USA website, listed in “Sources.”

That’s all for now. Send me some photos of your latest “COVID build” and I will be happy to include it in an upcoming “RC Giant Scale” column. In the meantime, stay safe.

SOURCES:

Balsa USA
(800) 225-7287
https://shop.balsausa.com