Laminating foam for beginners: How to, Tips and Tricks

[@mr-huggy]

Another good tip is to sand down the foam so its nice smooth and fuzzy and to use a spray glue, 3m90 is the best to use. Spray it on and let it set, if you want to paint it you can do it then, then laminate. The glue and sanding down helps the laminate to get a much stronger grip and a smoother service.

[@pierstaylor7780]

I’ve noticed the crease on your shirts are impeccable -now we know why! An expert with an iron

[@Super_Mario_Fpv]

I saved this to watch later. This couldn't have come at a better time.

[@remkojerphanion4686]

Being a total noob on this subject, I found your video most helpful, so thanks!

[@williamdecker3989]

You need a cotton sock for your iron(prevents scratching and lengthens the life of your iron!), and a nice, large pair of scissors, Lee! ...laminating is my favorite Zen activity!

[@stevietee10]

Thanks Lee, most useful especially as I have a new wing and a lamininating iron coming for Christmas :-) Yours is the only video on this subject I've seen that suggests an actual target temperature, Thank you, Steve

[@Painless360]

Thanks Stephen, I watched a few others and found that vital detail missing with lots of terms you only understand with lots of practice. Not helpful for new pilots ;) Happy flying!

[@ToastyMozart]

Thanks for the info! The wings and fuselage of my Drift got absolutely demolished by a tree (and a second time by an unplanned vertical landing after the glue failed) so I'm going to use the laminate to give the new repairs some solid reinforcement.

[@FrankPerkins]

I did this a few weeks ago and could have used your video back then! I was able to complete laminating my dart xl but it does take a lot of patience. I actually used the same iron I use to wax my snowboard and it worked well!

[@cobracar1]

Thank you!!! I am new to RC. I always thought that this kind of thing should be invented someday.... It turns out - it already exists!!! Thank you for the tutorial. I think it was really well explained. You gave a range of options, as well as a range of budgets.😁👍 Great work. Thank you for your videos. I will have to watch more of them!!

[@multirotormafia2281]

Not sure where I'll use this on my next Multi Rotor but a grate tip / tutorial num the less! Thank you for sharing!

[@demej00]

My laminate jobs are alway terrible with lots of wrinkles and bubbles but wow does it strengthen my EPP wings and makes them slippery in the air. Love laminated wings. With EPP, you can wipe it down with alcohol and it gives laminate and tape extra holding power.

[@johncarold]

Thanks again for the video, I have just received my order today it's a Sonicmodel AR Wing Pro and I plan to laminate it before I fly it. I couldn't believe how small the box was. Thanks for the video and information about it.

[@ianmallett78UK]

If you are going to do this on a regular basis then invest in a Tack iron, ideal for the corner's and folding edge's . to shrink after I have finished I run a heat gun over the model quickly or a hair dryer, but watch the film so that does not melt. All takes practice and patience.

[@bryandebruyn4410]

Just the video I needed for laminating my dart, arwing and capi2 👍

[@mikegriffiths7487]

Great video and as said already you are the first to mention a target temperature, so thanks for that. I just want to mention that the film does add weight so don’t necessarily go mad laminating every square inch on a model if it’s weight sensitive - perhaps just do the bits that get dinged or scuffed.

[@manavgupta4074]

Please make a tutorial on laminating balsa wood models.

[@Painless360]

I don't use balsa here.. Best of luck with it

[@GhostRyderFPV]

"3 mil" is the US equivalent to the 75 micron film used in the video. For those of us in the US, use this measurement to search for laminating film. Another area where we differ from our -European, Asian, South American- *the World.* Personally, I use 1.7 mil from Amazon, and it's flawless, a pleasure to work with and has protected several unplanned landings.

[@yzy3]

The recommendation is for 75 um film. The 38 um is also one of the most common in Europe. The thickness is only 50%, the weight supposed the same - have you tried it and what pros/cons you see for both?

[@sleepingbearffg5008]

Thanks again! Lol happy easter

[@carlharrison3637]

I do recommend some practice - Ive made a dogs dinner of my nano talon a few months ago- doing planes if much different to fixed wings like these. The flaps and receivers/tx's etc.. some people recommend to do them afterwards or before laminating (so the laminate itself helps keep components in-place), though if you're like me, you might be swapping some electronics - fixed wing looks easy but planes with spars and things like skyhunter/ranger's have some proper fiddly bits - those I would like to learn about with laminate as it does help tremendously on the water-proofing and strengthening of parts. Nice video but cool really do with some tips on working around motors/spars/flaps etc..

[@Painless360]

Thanks for the comment, this is a 'beginners' video. If I get enough interest I can do a follow up with a more complex shaped model..

[@steinne]

fantastic video with great details. Can you share what automotive covering you used? I like that look.....

[@Painless360]

Check the description, I've put in there what I search for in eBay that got me the stuff I'm using in the video..

[@Allan9966]

I've used a cheap travel iron and they work very well ....and they are cheao!

[@winnipegperfectcircleflyin7859]

Where did you buy the film??

[@Painless360]

Ebay

[@annerobinson2086]

Any tips on laminating wide glider wings without distorting?

[@Painless360]

How big are we talking/.

[@roadstar499]

I tried this years ago using hobbyking monocoat with epo plane...was not working well...melting foam and not sticking well either..gave up..maybe there are only certain types of laminate that work on epo and epp...thanks for sharing

[@Painless360]

Epo and epp work fine here. Happy flying!

[@firozdang]

Thank you, you covered everything Lee but how do I laminate wings who have curve on the leading edges, your wings where mostly like a trapezoid, but how to do for a curved wing?

[@Painless360]

Any curved edge is treated the same. The laminate will shrink a little so you can iron it onto the start of the edge easily, once you've done that then you'll need to trim it and cut in relief cuts and iron it down starting from the rearmost flap. Best of luck!

[@davehrcfpv]

Another great tips video Lee. I especially like your strategy for applying the heat in tiger-stripes and then infill between. But. How about dealing with control surfaces? 1) Do you complete the structural wing and control surface separately and then join them, presumably with discrete hinges? OR 2) Do you ignore the presences of the control surface and cover in one go? I can see two routes from here: a) split the film and tuck and stick into the gap, or, b) attempt to get the film to follow the hinge groove profile and thus very effectively reinforce the foam hinge? (difficult for internal returns thou) If the model is a pre-assembled PNP, then Option 2(a) is probably the most realistic approach. DaveH

[@Painless360]

If the ailerons are part of the wing then I'd use method 2. If they are separate then I'd use Blenderm hinges.. I hope that makes sense.. Happy flying!

[@eddieehlin3577]

Very instructive! I will try this on my next build. :)

[@blakey271able]

I know this is an old video but I'm wondering can I laminate each wing half then glue together or should I glue them and then laminate and the same with the foam wing tips it would be easier to laminate first but would glueing laminate to foam be sufficient???

[@Painless360]

I'd glue them once built, normally. Overlapping the leading edges provides additional strength... Happy flying

[@blakey271able]

@@Painless360 OK Thank you for taking the time to help

[@Fr35HPR1NC3]

hey Painless360 from having quite a lot of fpv flying wings all that i have laminated myself. I can tell you that melting the foam to make it all go without the air gap(that hazy look and going all black as you said but u don't like to bother) is actually making the laminate essentially bond much better and the wing becomes slightly more ridged. And when you do crash the laminate doesn't wrinkle nearly as much. but still the vids are good to watch. been watching your vid's since b4 u ever used to come on camera. :)

[@DadsRCHangar]

I will have to give that a go. Nice video👍🏻

[@Swimfinz]

Very cool video, muchas gracias! I have my work "...cut out for me!"

[@abdullahafzal9]

Nice Work and that was very helpful. Can you please make a video on how you cutter that foam wing Secondly which type of foam are you using for it?

[@Painless360]

It didn't cut this EPP foam. This is a model from e-wings..

[@abdullahafzal9]

@@Painless360 Thanks 😊

[@OsitoCraft_3d]

I don’t know if you would know or not but I figured I could ask. I don’t wanna do the whole laminate process on my first and only plane. Do you think the vinyl like people use with the cricket and stuff like that to make vinyl decals and stuff like that do you think that would stick to the EPP foamcause I was thinking about wrapping it in vinyl instead so that way I can get a different color cause it’s black foam and I don’t wanna take a chance it starts warping plus I wanna change the color lol

[@Painless360]

I've used decals using that stuff here, and while they stick, it doesn't take much for them to peel off... Happy flying

[@OsitoCraft_3d]

@ thank you I was just curious if it would stick directly to the foam itself because I wanna wrap the whole entire plane in that type of vinyl but I’m a little too scared to use an iron on my first and only plane maybe down the line but thank you you keep up the good videos, man

[@robtomben]

It's cool to see some construction techniques on here. I'd like to see more. Maybe some day you could do a series on airframe design. I've used some ideas from iforce2d's channel but it would be cool to see what you come up with.

[@Painless360]

This model is not my design. Check out the designs on ewings for more of Greigs col models..

[@prof.habibelkak2015]

Hello, This laminated works with eps foam? Thank you

[@Painless360]

Should do but test on a piece first... Best of luck

[@greatgandalf5233]

Thanks for your videos.

[@rcchronicles25]

Wow that was a great video 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@MCsCreations]

Great tips, Lee! Thanks a lot! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@martinmacko7297]

Hi great video. Do you have link for foil and iron? thx!

[@Painless360]

Tips to find them on eBay (where I got it all from) in the description. Best of luck!

[@martinmacko7297]

@@Painless360 Thank you

[@JorgeJimenez2020]

Lee, I was looking for more details on why the double layer of laminate and automotive wrap. Does the laminate help the automotive wrap stick better? Do you apply the automotive wrap with a heat gun, iron or no heat? I would appreciate your input. I recently covered an FX79 with automotive wrap, but did not use a laminate base and results were not the best. Wondering if this technique is what I should have used? Thanks!

[@Painless360]

Greig and I did some tests and the adhesion of the car vinyl to naked foam was poor. Adding a single layer of laminate makes it super strong. No need for heat with the car vinyl. Hope that helps..

[@91zulu]

What is the black carbon looking auto covering that you did. Could you post a link to buy it. Thanks.

[@Painless360]

I got mine from eBay. '3D Carbon Fibre Vinyl Wrap, Film Bubble Air Free Self Adhesive Various Colours' I also used the orange in this build too... Details now added in the description as others have asked. Happy flying!

[@proprotornut5389]

Great video. Might be a new skill to acquire. Thanks. 👍

[@dalenorman2005]

I plan on doing this to my Volantex Ranger EX, which has factory-installed plastic hinges in each of the control surfaces. The surfaces are also connected to the wing with maybe 50% thinner foam. I find the surfaces have a lot of resistance and don't freely move up and down because of this foam. The servos struggle and can't move them as far as they could if there was no resistance. Should I cut the foam away and just trust the hinges, or is that a bad idea?

[@matthewbarnard461]

Thank you this helped me!

[@matiibars9271]

Can i use epoxi resin? Or put a Fiber glass o carbón Fiber sheet?

[@Painless360]

I've never tried that. Glassing adds a lot of weight.. Happy flying

[@matiibars9271]

Thank you nice Channel :) Happy flys

[@TX_Nano.]

Is there a difference in temperature with Epp vs. Epo foam or that Elapor(?) foam that some manufactures used to use?

[@Painless360]

Always use a cooler 130 deg setting to adhere the laminate to somewhere out of the way on a model to check how it'll work if you are not sure..

[@TX_Nano.]

@@Painless360 Thank you. I continue to enjoy your videos and appreciate what you do for the hobby.

[@Michael-ee3dl]

Did you laminate the AR wing pro?

[@Painless360]

No, but Leading edges and the underside of models that belly land can benefit from laminate reenforcement... Happy flying

[@bigeyefpv]

@@Painless360 can u do a video of the ar pro laminating

[@Painless360]

I'm not planning on that. I don't like the way it looks. I may do a follow up video with a more complex shape to show more tips and tricks (although to be honest, what I've shown in this video can get you sorted - you shouldn't be worries about overlapping pieces..)

[@Michael-ee3dl]

@@bigeyefpv laminating is really an easy thing to do. The arwing should be easier because its decently flat. I laminated the rmrc wing and that has lots or curves which was tough

[@BigWillieFPV]

Great vid thanks a lot, with all the injection bumps do you prep the wing surface?

[@Painless360]

Having the wing as smooth as possible will make it easier to work on

[@theproud77]

Does it also work with a hot air station?

[@Painless360]

No idea, this is how I do it here. Best of luck!

[@mrfox3k]

Do you have a link to the 75micron?

[@Painless360]

No, sorry

[@mrfox3k]

Any UK brand you can recommend? pretty please?

[@Painless360]

I just ordered a huge roll of the stuff from eBay... Sorry I can't be more help..

[@pnwRC.]

Fantastic video!

[@BooDevil65]

Thanks for another great video, even though I'm a bit late to the game 😂 Curious: did you research different thicknesses? I've seen a lot using 1.5 & 1.7mil vs the 3.0 mil you used.

[@Painless360]

I have but like the strength of this stuff. Also easier for newbies to do a good job with IMHO..

[@ptaylor5014]

In your experience does adding this little bit of extra weight have any noticeable affects on the flying characteristics of the model?

[@Painless360]

Adding weight to a model is always tricky as it can affect hoe it flies. The laminate is not too heavy so a single layer isn't a lot in the overall scheme of things. If the model needs to be as light as possible then you can just laminate high risk areas like leading edges and belly skids.. I rarely use it here.

[@ptaylor5014]

@@Painless360 Thanks

[@fntasticHijack]

May I use 32 micron laminating?

[@Painless360]

You can use what-ever you want. This is what I prefer here...

[@fntasticHijack]

@@Painless360 thank you. Finding 75 micron laminating plastic is very hard but I can find 32 micron here

[@meltedgyrofpv8477]

Is it worth laminating a used bixler 1?

[@Painless360]

The belly and leading edges of the wing may benefit from some extra protection..

[@rawpicsfpv3516]

Hey one question, Just got the toothless nano, hooked it up to my fc and now I only get the Foxeer osd („Foxeer, voltage, timer) but not the betaflight osd from my fc. So how do I turn off the Foxeer osd and enable the bf osd? I believe wiring is correct... I am using the mamba mk3 stack;) Thx so much!

[@Painless360]

You will need to connect the joystick to the camera to turn off the camera pieces. See my build videos for setting up Betaflight, the OSD is usually turned on by default .. Best of luck

[@rawpicsfpv3516]

@@Painless360 got it now, thank you so much! Im going to maiden now:))

[@TheDynamicMatt]

where is the best place for buying the laminate in the uk?

[@Painless360]

Local hobby shop or I get it form ebay. It's not expensive..

[@davidwatkin1484]

You can buy laminating film on the Internet. EBay has lots of sellers.

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

As was said Ebay.

[@PixelGamer4k]

Can I use hot air gun to laminate it???

[@Painless360]

Not really, the iron presses the flamibate into the foam. An iron isn't expensive...

[@brunofporto]

Why not use traditional rc covering film? They are pretty lightweight :)

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

Laminate is much cheaper and it's easier to control the shrinking which is really important on a foam model. Plus depending on thickness it is a lighter than you'd think. I have some 1 mil stuff that I use for smaller planes and it's less than half the weight of most traditional "light weight" covering except solite it's about on par with that at a fraction of the price.

[@Painless360]

What he said! :D

[@blackterminal]

I thought it was using the sticky stuff we cover our kids exercise books with. :)

[@16-BITFPV]

(2024) hard to even find supplies and tools for covering it's ridiculous.

[@Painless360]

Just tried ebay, all still available... Happy flying!

[@pilotimodele4598]

👏👏👏...👌

[@nomorelieseveragain]

Why does is it called laminating instead of covering just curious nothing personal...

[@Painless360]

Not sure. The dictionary says that laminating is 'any material that is made by sticking several layers of the same material together' so this doesn't fit that description... Happy flying