Applying Laminating Film/Doculam to Vintage Model Planes - For Tissue covering

Prolux LCD Digital Sealing Iron Review - • Prolux LCD Digital Sea...

[@hawkibj]

Brilliant. Thank you very much. I've been wondering what to use for a thermal soarer and I now know! Very much appreciated.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terryblackman6217]

Hi Mark. You make it look so easy. I must admit that I had a bit of a disaster with my first attempt. But I am shure that with the right temperatures and a bit more practice in will get the hang of it. Great video as usual. 👍

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi Terry, thanks very much, good luck with the covering

[@larryhayes3040]

Mark, two questions-1 can doculam be painted, and can silkspan be applied over doculam? Thanks for all your interesting and useful videos.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks for the comment, pleased you enjoy the videos. Regarding your questions, I have never done either, but I know those who have painted laminating film, but it needs careful preparation I believe. Also, I see no reason why silk span will not go over the film, although I have only ever covered in tissue or silk, which goes on lovely

[@blue03r6]

I wonder if this film would take paint? Have anyone ever try? How about using aa thin base layer of laminate then paint that and laminate over the paint so its glossy and protected Or can you get this film in colors? They sell this film at aloft hobbies and im definitely going to try it on a foam plane

[@charlesbovalis6591]

what is the thickness of this doculam ?

[@MarkRobinson555]

38 microns 😀

[@ericwillis777]

It is absolutely incredible to me that someone who goes to all the trouble to make a video about using laminating film for models would not even mention the thickness to use. It seems that there are two thicknesses generally available on Amazon, 1.5 mil and 3 mil. 1 mil is 25 microns. I imagine there are other thicknesses but not as easily available. I find it amazing that you don't care enough about your video to state what thickness you have used, as I would think that the thickness is important. After all 3 mil is twice as heavy as 1.5 mil. You talk about the width, but not the thickness - why is that, don't you care about the thickness of the film ?

[@MarkRobinson555]

Can I suggest you watch the video again, if you do you will see that at 1 min and 55 seconds into the video I say what the thickness of the film is.

[@ericwillis777]

@@MarkRobinson555 Great, thankyou for that, it's exactly what I was trying to find out, you will be pleased to know that I've watched your video 4 times and scrolled through it even more times, but missed it !. I watched several other peoples videos too, and they definately didn't mention the thickness.All I need to do now is find where I can buy a smaller quantity !

[@RC-Flight]

In Canada, that same size film costed $55 CDN and $35-55 CDN for shipping from the states,NOT inexpensive!

[@MarkRobinson555]

The price you quote is similar to that in the UK, when you look at the conversation rate, which is 1$ to £0.56. Also, I looked on the Canadian ebay and found it cheaper than this, which would also have the benign of cheaper postage. At the end of the day, its still inexpensive for the size of roll and its a great product to use, in my opinion 😀

[@jeffw-e3d]

I covered this dirigible model (20 ft long, 12 ft span) with doculam, replacing the original micafilm covering. Hanging in the Oakland Aviation Museum.

[@andrewerickson6690]

I started laminting wings and my wife saw that she could seal her puzzles with it now we have 3 sealing irons and many rolls of laminate

[@skoolsen]

Hi, great video👍I would like to try this too, where did you buy the laminating film?

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much, this is the film that I use - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183793543303?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=FDdqUo8qRCC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=fsKLYgcjQ86&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@skoolsen]

Perfect😉 thank you very much.@@MarkRobinson555

[@MarkRobinson555]

Your welcome 😀

[@navex4786]

Nice! 👍 Definitely going to try this technique, probably on a 1m DLG Canberra PR7 profile scale. On the down side - Wilko have just announced the closure of all 400 stores so will have to try an alternative polyurethane. Good luck to all who have lost their jobs. 😕

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi there, thanks for the comment, pleased you liked the technique. Yes, very sad news about Wilko, a great shop which will be missed 🙁

[@belperflyer7419]

Absolutely. We had a couple of Wikos in neighbouring towns and they were always busy. They'll be missed.

[@georgemalesky9462]

Thanks!

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much for your kind gesture, it is greatly appreciated 😀

[@pcm9656]

You doing a sturdy wing? I would like to use it on a more flexible wing. Got to be carefull not to warp the wing. Do you have advice for me? Obviously i cant pull that hard on the material?

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi there, this balsa wing was is an old one I use as a test bed for different coverings and techniques. I only used it to demonstrate the technique, laminating film is fine on flimsy wings, although it shrinks well it does not have a strong pull like some of the covering films. Here is another video on a much flimsier wing, my Diamon Demon - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2TUl4Frg9qjrpI

[@MarkRobinson555]

You can pull hard on the film, it is very strong, but it will rip if there is a cut edge close by, as you saw in the video

[@johnfreeman7005]

Hi mark Im clad you said it was a laminating film but not doculam , as can't get the true doculam here in N Z but i have found a laminating film which is 25 microns thick and comes on a 450mm wide roll of 500 hundred meters long for $120 kiwi dollars -- about 60 odd U K pounds .. As you said that will work out a pretty good price and i just hope it works , but if it dose not a local school says they can use it so no real loss. So thanks again for all your great videos really helping me back into the R C game after40 years away/ Thank you john.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi John, thanks for the comment, hope your covering goes well. There are a few other videos showing the techniques which you may also find useful. Happy New Year

[@larrybfallinjr480]

Hi Mark. That’s an interesting covering method. Have you had a chance to test it’s fuel proofing abilities? Mainly for a nitro build?

[@MarkRobinson555]

I have never used it on its own, I cover in tissue and then a fuel proofer, either polyurethane or other product depending on whether diesel, petrol or glow. The tissue over the film gives a strong but traditional look.

[@philf5043]

@@MarkRobinson555 I have tested it with fuel and its completely fuel proof , Overlaps are totally firm and wont lift without heat , On the matt version , Good clear video

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks very much, appreciated

[@EleanorPeterson]

In my experience it's completely everything-proof. If you've ever tried to destroy a laminated document, you'll know how tough it is! I've tested it (in the shed, not scientifically) with meths, white spirit, cellulose thinners, plain and synthetic 4-stroke glow fuel, aero-style diesel fuel (with ether), polyester resin, epoxy resin, 2-stroke methanol/castor oil with 5% nitromethane, and even my homemade tomato soup (🤭). It's completely impervious. I've NOT tried it with acetone, though, so...

[@gregknipp2575]

What thickness film would you suggest for 40" to 72" wingspan models? You suggest 38 microns, so about .0015, correct?

[@MarkRobinson555]

Yes, I use 38 micron, which is fine on my 49" wingspan, and I would happily use on a larger model, but of course it depends on the type of model and the stress the wings will have. On larger models you could try thicker, think they do one around 72 micron

[@EleanorPeterson]

I've always just used an old-fashioned clothes iron for applying film (because I could never afford a 'proper' mini iron!), and shrank it with a heat-gun. I was astonished to see the price of 2m of regular covering film recently (10x what I used to pay for a roll!), so I too have been using 38 micron laminating film for my models. 150 metres for £17 from a mail-order office supplies company - brilliant stuff. As a clothes iron is heavy and awkward to manoeuvre, it tends to get 'rolled' round curves rather than slid. Sliding can create wrinkles. I did notice that proper shrinking irons (like yours) can be fitted with a heatproof cloth 'sock', which presumably eliminates the risk of the sole catching and wrinkling the film. Have you tried using such a thing?🤔

[@MarkRobinson555]

When I first got my iron I used it with a sock, but didnt really like it, so much more tactile without. thanks for the comment

[@Edubarca46]

Can you please give us the link to buy the doculam you recommend? Is it available from Amazon or Ebay? I am from Colombia, South America. Also, can I use dope or lacquer to attach the tissue to the laminating film?

[@MarkRobinson555]

This is what I use www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183793543303

[@MarkRobinson555]

I have never used dope but I know others that have

[@thatairplaneguy]

I’ve never been impressed with doculam. It’s no where near as good as real covering film.

[@MarkRobinson555]

The way I, and most people use it, it is not intended to be a replacement for "real" covering film, I use it as an extremely cheap layer under tissue, so providing strength and resiliance to the finish. Would not use myself as a replacement for covering film, as I say in the video title its for tissue covering

[@ericwillis777]

​@@MarkRobinson555Here is an item of news for you - it's not cheap ! Why ? - because you have to buy it in massive rolls, which makes it expensive unless you use massive ammounts of it. I expect you can buy anything 'cheap' if you buy it in bulk. The only real utility compared with conventional covering film is to make a much stronger conventional tissue finish, for either a 'vintage' look, or which can be painted. So no - it's not cost effective for any other reason.

[@kemasbossku9448]

Hi mark...can we use spray paint over doculam after shrinking it?.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi, I think you can but it is not very stable and will probably need some prep to provide a key on the surface. I have a recollection of seeing someone spraying paint on the glue side befor application, but I dont really have much knowledge of either

[@russetrustler7420]

Many thanks Mark - great video. Could you use this technique on small planes? I’m making a Tomboy and a Mercury Tiger Moth ATM. James

[@MarkRobinson555]

Really pleased you like the videos, thanks for your comment. Regarding your question, Yes, absolutely, I am currently covering a 49" wingspan Diamon Demon - kzbin.info/aero/PLGILJsUw3dvSQD8t0nbFHLlNBjaAZoamd

[@kemasbossku9448]

Hi mark, got one more question...which type of laminating film are you using? BOPP or PET?..thank you

[@MarkRobinson555]

Not sue of the answer to that, but this is a link to what I brought - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183793543303?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=FDdqUo8qRCC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=fsKLYgcjQ86&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@kemasbossku9448]

@@MarkRobinson555 thank you mark..

[@gavinlundie2310]

Hi Mark, I see that you get gloss, satin, and matt versions. What is the product that you used please? Nice job on the covering! I am going to do the same when I get my hands on some.

[@MarkRobinson555]

HI thanks for the comment, the film I use is gloss, which provides a great base for tissue covering, or just leaving as is

[@belperflyer7419]

Another excellent demo. I've heard and read of people using laminating film but never really understood what it is or how it can be used. Now I know! Now to see how adding tissue works. I've only just discovered your channel. I've been building models for years (mostly successfully!) but I've learned a lot new after watching your demos. Thanks

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much for the comment, greatly appreciated, pleased you enjoyes the video

[@rickmaccrone8775]

How do you adhere the tissue? Very interesting tutorial!

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi there, I used a water based polyurathane which works really well, there are a few videos on my channel that show the technique which you may find useful. Pleased you found it interesting

[@deanedeane4318]

Awsum product for the price !!! Great video Mark and I'm super keen to see your tissue trials and final outcome !!!! Thanks for sharing 😉😎

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks very much for the comment, its appreciated

[@Tom-wl9sx]

Have just bought a roll, will test it this weekend. Now I'll know how to start 🙂

[@MarkRobinson555]

Excellent, hope it goes well 😀

[@dennislinares2582]

Hi mark can you use a thicker laminate and just paint on it?

[@MarkRobinson555]

You can certainly get it thicker, and I have seen people rough it up and paint, but I have not done it

[@BrianChandler-pk5gf]

Great demo, and it has given me ideas for my winter build. Thanks

[@MarkRobinson555]

Great to hear! Thank you for the comment 😀

[@markford7682]

Brilliant, need to get some, thanks mate.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Excellent, thanks for the comment 😀

[@dennismiller6131]

Excellent video Mark!

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much 😀

[@mapes12]

Thanks Mark

[@MarkRobinson555]

Very welcome, thanks 😊

[@collinmccallum]

bravo!

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you 😀

[@wildan1340]

How much thickness laminating film? I have idea about 32 micron, is it enough?

[@MarkRobinson555]

I use 38 micron 😀

[@rodashton4120]

Mark - Thanks for that. The various temperature where particularly useful.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Glad it was helpful, appreciate the comment

[@alexmalcolm3156]

where do you get Doculam from in Uk.

[@MarkRobinson555]

This is what I use www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183793543303?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=FDdqUo8qRCC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=fsKLYgcjQ86&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@alexmalcolm3156]

thanks just ordered some ,now that Wilko stores have closed what varnish have you tried.@@MarkRobinson555

[@MarkRobinson555]

not tried anything different as I still have some Wilko stuff from before, sorry