RC Airplane Covering: Materials and How to Apply Them
Most built-up RC planes are covered with iron-on heat-shrink film: tack it down along the edges, then shrink it tight with heat. Fabric covering is tougher and suits scale and large models; tissue suits small, light planes; foam planes are painted or laminated instead. This guide compares the materials and walks through covering a wing.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20268 min read
Covering materials compared
| Material | How it is applied | Strengths | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat-shrink film (e.g. Oracover, UltraCote, MonoKote) | Iron on, shrink with heat | Quick, fuel-proof, glossy, many colours | Most balsa sport and trainer planes |
| Iron-on fabric (polyester) | Iron on, shrink, often painted | Very tough, scale look, holds paint | Scale and large models, open structures |
| Fabric with dope or adhesive | Glued, shrunk, sealed with dope or paint | Traditional, very strong | Vintage and scale builds |
| Tissue and dope | Water-shrunk, doped | Very light | Small, light and free-flight models |
| Laminating film / paint | Laminated or sprayed on foam | Protects foam, adds stiffness | Foam and foam-board planes |
Different film brands use different adhesives and temperatures, so follow the maker’s figures for sealing and shrinking. Don’t mix brands on overlaps without testing first. For the wider build process, see how to build a balsa RC plane.
Tools
- Covering iron with adjustable temperature and a sock to avoid scratches.
- Heat gun for shrinking large panels and compound curves.
- Very sharp blades, a steel rule and a soft marker.
- A trim-seal tool or small iron for tight corners.
- Tack cloth or a soft brush to remove dust.
Preparing the airframe
Covering shows every flaw. Sand the structure smooth with a fine grit, round over sharp edges slightly, fill dents, and vacuum away all dust. Fuel-proof the engine bay and any areas the film won’t cover. On sheeted wings, a smooth surface gives a mirror finish; on open structures, make sure ribs and spars are flush so the film doesn’t sag.
Covering a wing with film
- Bottom first, then top: the top overlaps the bottom at the leading edge, so the overlap faces backwards and the airflow doesn’t lift it.
- Cut the panel with 2–3 cm extra all around. Remove the backing sheet.
- Tack the corners at sealing temperature, pulling the film just taut, not tight.
- Seal the edges: root, tip, leading and trailing edge, and along every spar and rib on sheeted areas.
- Shrink the open areas with the iron at a higher setting or the heat gun, working from the centre outwards until wrinkles disappear.
- Trim excess film with a fresh blade, leaving a few millimetres of overlap, and iron the edges down.
- Cover hinge lines before fitting hinges, and cut the hinge slots through the film afterwards.
Watch out: too much heat on an open structure can shrink the film hard enough to warp a light wing. Shrink in stages, alternating sides, and check for twist as you go.
Finishing tips and repairs
- Trim colours go on after the base covering, with small overlaps. Use a low temperature to avoid bubbles; prick trapped air with a pin and iron it down.
- Wrinkles after a few days in the sun are normal with film; re-shrink them with the iron.
- Repairs: cut a patch slightly larger than the tear, round its corners and iron it on.
- Lettering and registration numbers: where rules require a registration ID on the plane, apply it visibly and durably; see the rules section of the airplanes guide.
FAQ
What is the best covering for an RC plane?
For most balsa sport planes, iron-on heat-shrink film. For scale models and large open structures, polyester fabric. For very light small models, tissue.
What temperature should I use for covering film?
It depends on the brand and type, so use the manufacturer’s figures. In general, a lower temperature seals the film to the structure and a higher temperature shrinks it.
Can I paint over covering film?
Only with paints made for the purpose; ordinary paint often cracks or peels. Fabric coverings are designed to be painted.
How do I cover a foam plane?
Foam melts under a covering iron at normal temperatures. Use low-temperature laminating film, packing tape on leading edges, or water-based paint suitable for foam.
More on this topic: materials, building and learning to fly are covered in the complete RC airplanes guide.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
