Oracover (Ultracote in the USA) Review - Model Aircraft Heat Shrink Covering Film - Balsa RC Planes

[@richard1472]

Hi, Mark. Here in the states, Oracover is sold as Ultracote. It really is good stuff and well worth the extra cost. Although, it is a bit heavier than other films, so I don't recommend it for lightweight models such as park flyers and the like. A couple of tips, if I may. Resist rubbing with the iron. It can show up as fine scratches that can spoil the finish. Just set the iron in place for a few seconds. No rubbing required. I keep a damp microfiber cloth handy to help set the adhesive. Also, be sure and seal all the edges before shrinking. Guess how I know. Oracover (Ultracote) really is the best material I've found for a completely wrinkle-free finish. Hopefully, others will read this and find it helpful. As always, blue skies and fair winds!

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi Richard , thanks for the comment and information, always appreciated, didn't realise that about ultracoat, have a good day 😀

[@richard1472]

@@MarkRobinson555 You are most welcome, Mark. Glad I could help out.

[@andygatenby9762]

I have not used Ultracote but have used Ultracote Parklite and found that difficult to cover wingtips. Is Ultracote easier? I have used Neucover from Value hobbies and Lightex with good success.

[@richard1472]

@@andygatenby9762 Hey, Andy. As I mentioned in my original post, I don't recommend Ultracote for parkflyers. It is intended for use on larger models. If Neucover and Lightex are working well for you, you should probably stick with that. Go with what you know, you know? I may have to try those myself.

[@MarkRobinson555]

@@andygatenby9762 Oracover, and hence Ultracote in the US, is amazing stuff, really nice on wingtips, stretches and shrinks lovely, have you watched the video, is so you will see. Don't know anything about Parklite or Neucover. I have used Lightex a lot and like it, but Oracover is miles better

[@easystar123]

Hi there, great video and i enjoyed it very much. To cut to the chase im flying model aircraft 38 years and still love it as much today as when i first started. The thing is , ive never ever built a plane or covered a plane in all those years. So last night i decided to strip the covering on my 14 year old World Models Super Frontier Senior so i could recover it. Ive looked at Oratex which is very expensive but good and ive looked at Oracover which is on the majority of my planes and always holds up well. So i think i might try the Oracover and make a first attempt at covering and try and do as good a job as possible. By the way, this isxa big plane with an 80 inch wingspan. Its a Chinese copy of a Sig Kadet Senior , but flys really well with the Saito 72. I will look up some of your other videos on how to properly cover a plane and take it from there. Many thanks.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much for the kind comment. Hope your covering goes well 😀

[@vimy385]

Try covering a cricket or baseball with it. The true test.

[@charlyskalbeck9575]

I agree with your editorial on Oracover/Ultracote. It is a great covering that is versatile and easy to use. Its my go-to covering.

[@robertwoolley8632]

That was a very interesting, timely and useful review Mark. I particularly liked your views on the iron temperature and demonstration at higher temps. I have been wary of wacking the iron up to over 160c in case it burned the film but seeing you stretch Oracover around the nose of your Tomboy has given me the confidence to give it a try on my glider cowl if needed. I also noted you use a towel to rest your work on. I have now tried that, and as well from minimising risks of scratching it certainly stopped a wing slipping around my bench. Thanks for your tips.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much for the kind comment, its greatly appreciated, hope the covering on your glider goes well

[@helischorsch9786]

Brilliant review Mark👍…before I went into Helicopter I was using Oracover and never had any issues…and yes, it’s not cheap, but worth the price compared to the hours of building a balsa model. I do know some people in the US love Monokote, but never used it before, so cannot judge it. Cheers from Munich, Sven 🍺

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks for the comment, really appreciated, pleased you like the video

[@MarkCroucherRC4fun]

Nice review thanks for sharing

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much, Sir 😀

[@daveruff47]

Ultracote is my favorite

[@egonverleysen695]

Thanks a lot, I was looking for the ideal temperatures and now I have found them!!

[@MarkRobinson555]

Glad I could help!

[@marcobuonavita2757]

davvero una bella lezione sul tema copertura , i prodotti migliori danno risultati ottimi , ma aver visto la tecnica certamente aiuta, corregge eventuali errori fatti in passato con prodotti scadenti. E poi i consigli sono utili per noi principianti.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thank you very much for the comment, pleased you found it helpful

[@Elnufo]

Very good review, thanks for sharing your thoughts ❤

[@MarkRobinson555]

Pleased you liked it, thank you very much for the comment 😀

[@terryblackman6217]

Good morning Mark. A very good review of the covering. The old saying, you gets what you pay for. And that is certainly true with iron on film. As a note. I did check my prolux iron with my sons digital /Lazer thermometer and it's within a couple of degrees.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi there Terry, good morning to you, its a windy one today! Thanks for the comment, pleased you liked it. I keep thinking I should get a good lazer thermometer. Good to know its accurate

[@terryblackman6217]

@@MarkRobinson555 down here it's clear cold with no wind.

[@MarkRobinson555]

What! I will be down as soon a I can! Hahahah we have had some quite bad weather recently, only flown once this year

[@JeffinLowerAlabama]

Mark great review and really like your build tips for this novice builder. Jeff in LA USA

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks very much Jeff, really appreciated

[@thebarronflights]

Mark, as per your accent we are fellow Midlander’s. I am from Sutton Coldfield which I am sure you may well know. I am using oracover chrome on a Cambrian fun fighter P51 Mustang C. So. I want to make the model look like the DB’s. You may be aware that the Cambrian Fun fighter is now a Black Country owned manufacturer. So let’s talk turkey. Brother I need some help. Experienced modellers know wings are easy and that’s why KZbinr’s show wings all the time. But what about a compound curve on the nose with an air intake at the nose end? Also I have had to scrap the film on the sides of the fuz because I can not trim the top deck. And so a new roll ordered. I would appreciate your thoughts as I want my P51 to be the envy of my club. I intend to use Ora trim to make the P51 a D Day trim. OK so over to you. I am listening. nick.

[@MarkRobinson555]

Hi there fellow Midlander! Although its been a while since I was last there. I would suggest you watch a couple of my recent videos where I am covering a fuselage and a wing with Oracover, hope they help, here are the links - Tomboy Senior - Build Series - Pt 15: Covering the Fuselage kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ2WkoyCmNt9msU Tomboy Senior - Build Series - Pt 10: Covering the Wings, Tailplane & Fin kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnyaiXmDr9Opa5Y

[@joedelacruz8811]

Thank you for your informative video. Brought a bunch of RC stuff at an estate sale. Oracover was part of it. I am very excited to try it out 👍

[@MarkRobinson555]

Thanks for your comment, Oracover is great to use, you should really like it 😀

[@racnc1]

What do you use to clean your rc plane film that uses glow fuel? Thanks for the videos content.

[@MarkRobinson555]

I use various things, like wet wipes, metholated spirits, window cleaner, deturgent in a spray bottle, always trying to find somthing new

[@flasheart49]

What's it like after being on a model left in the sunshine on a hot day?

[@MarkRobinson555]

Absolutely fine