Laying out your electronics

Applying Vinyl Decals

Covering with Packaging tape

Installing a tailwheel

Trimming your foamie for flight

Power setups

Repairing Depron

Beveling Depron Foam

Return To Top

Applying Vinyl Decals (Application Guide)

For optimum results, surface temperature should be above 50°F and below 90°F. You will need a ruler, masking tape, scissors, lint free cloth, a surface cleaner.

Step 1:
After determining the location for your graphic, clean the surface with a lint free cloth and cleaner solution.

Step 2:
Using small strips of masking tape, locate the graphic where it is to be installed. If the graphic has a horizontal edge or reference point, you can use this for measuring the location from a body line or trim molding. If the decal has a flowing design, you'll have to step back and visually inspect its location to determine if that is where you want it. Once this is done, make measurements from individual points on the design and transfer the locations to the opposite side of your Model. ( This is the step you need to take your time on, measure from different locations, once the graphic is installed, it cannot be moved).

Step 3:
Place two strips of masking tape (slightly overlapping each other) vertically in the approximate center of the graphic. This is known as the "hinge" method. This will allow you to install half of your decal at a time.

Step 4:
Remove the masking tape strips from one end of the decal and slowly peel the backing paper away, taking care not to touch the adhesive side of the graphic. Use scissors to remove the backing paper and discard.

Step 5: Wet application (Large Graphics Only)
Spray the surface where the backing paper has been removed with a "slip" solution. Do this on the vehicle surface as well. Slowly swing the exposed part of the decal onto the wet surface, keeping only enough tension on it to avoid wrinkles. As the decal meets the surface, squeegee from center to ends using semi circular, overlapping motions to push the air from underneath. There is no need to use excessive pressure because the slip solution serves as a lubricant for the air to be pushed outward.

Slip Solution: 32 oz. Sprayer filled with clean tap water and 1 (one) drop of dish detergent. Make sure you don't use too much soap or you will have difficulty removing the masking paper after installation.

Step 5: Dry application (Small Decals ie: 4x4, Sport, Limited Edition)
Slowly swing the exposed part of the decal on to the surface, keeping only enough tension on it to avoid wrinkles. As the decal meets the surface, squeegee from center to ends using semi circular, overlapping motions to push the air from underneath. Use moderate pressure to insure good adhesion.

Step 6:
Slowly remove the center hinge and very carefully peel the remaining backing paper away. Just as before, swing the decal over and squeegee it down using the same motions described above. Resqueegee the entire surface of the graphic again to insure all areas have adhered.

Step 7:
Remove the application tape by pulling it back at a 180° angle. Make sure to watch the decal to make sure it's not lifting from the surface. If the graphic seems to be lifting, gently push the application tape back in the opposite direction that you were removing it and resqueegee that area. NOTE: If too much detergent is used in the slip solution, or surface temperature is cold, you may have to wait for several minutes to allow drying time before removing the application tape.

Step 8:
Once the decal is installed and the application tape removed, carefully inspect the area for bubbles. In the case of very small air bubbles, usually they will pass through the vinyl within a couple weeks. Larger bubbles may need to be removed, puncturing them with a pin or needle at the edge and softly pushing the air out towards the puncture.

Return To Top

Laying out your electronics

On the 48in. kits, there is a shortage of servo wire to do it without extensions. To balance the plane properly, the servos need to go where we placed them. You can either have the ailerons plug into the RX with extensions to the tail or the plug the tail servos into the RX and run extensions to the ailerons. I like the latter, if you are removing the wings, you can unplug the extensions and not trash up the RX plugs.

Return To Top

Installing a tailwheel

You have a couple options, either install a tail-wheel (see photo) or a tail Skid using a zip-tie sticking out the foam. Neither needs to be attached to the rudder, hang it off the end of the fuse, the large rudder will give you enough ground handling without a steerable wheel

Return To Top

Covering with Packaging tape

Here is a link to a RCG build thread using Colored Packaging Tape.

Return To Top