Top Flite TOPA0120 - Manual (Page 47)

K & B Clear - the K & B paints are about the most
fuel proof and durable paints available. They
contain very strong solvents which will help
blend-in overspray of the model master colors.
Both gloss and satin hardeners are available for
the K & B paints.
NOTE: The technique described here
has been thoroughly tested on our
prototype models. As with any paint
system you have not used before, we
highly recommend you paint a test
piece using the exact system you will
use on your model. No “reactions”
were encountered using the materials
described here, but if you substitute for
any of them, you should test all of the
materials on a test piece.
Tips for preventing paint peeling over
MonoKote:
1. Stick the MonoKote to solid wood structures
thoroughly with an iron equipped with a Top Flite
Hot Sock™.
2. Scuff the MonoKote thoroughly with a Scotch
Scuff Pad.
3. Clean the surface with Isopropyl Alcohol before
priming.
4. Use very little primer, especially over open
structures (elevators, etc.).
5. Use a high quality, low tack, vinyl based tape
(available at auto painting stores) for masking.
Use narrow tape and lots of non-adhesive paper
when masking.
6. Always remove the tape by peeling it up very
slowly. Pull the tape back over itself.
The finish obtained using this technique is of
very high quality, and is very durable and chip
resistant after the K & B Clear coat has been
applied.
COVER THE STRUCTURE
WITH MONOKOTE
Make sure the structure is smoothly sanded with
320 grit sandpaper. Remove all dust from the
structure so the MonoKote will stick well.
Cover the aircraft with clear MonoKote using the
sequence below. Make sure the MonoKote is
thoroughly stuck down to the structure and all of
the edges are sealed.
NOTE: When covering areas that
involve fillets and sharp junctions, like
the tail section of the P-40, cut narrow
strips (3/8” to 5/8”) and apply them in
the corners before covering the major
surfaces. The larger pieces of
MonoKote will overlap and capture
these smaller surfaces. This technique
also bypasses the need to cut the
MonoKote in these areas after it has
been applied. DO NOT, under any
circumstances, attempt to cut the
covering material after it has been
applied to the fin and stab, except
around the leading and trailing edges
and the tip. Modelers who do this often
cut through the covering and part-way
into the balsa stab skin. This can
weaken the stab to the point where it
may fail in flight!
Recommended Covering Sequence:
❑ 1. Tail Fillet Strips as described in the
preceding note
❑ 2. Rudder left side
❑ 3. Rudder right side
❑ 4. Bottom of elevators
❑ 5. Top of elevators
❑ 6. Stab bottom
❑ 7. Stab top
❑ 8. Wing fillet (on fuselage)*
❑ 9. Fuse bottom
❑ 10. Fuse sides
❑ 11. Fuse top
❑ 12. Fin left side
❑ 13. Fin right side
❑ 14. Ends of ailerons and flaps
❑ 15. Bottom of ailerons and flaps
❑ 16. Top of ailerons and flaps
❑ 17. TE surfaces of wing (at ailerons and flaps)
❑ 18. Fuselage fairing (on bottom of wing)
❑ 19. Bottom of left wing panel
❑ 20. Bottom of right wing panel
❑ 21. Top of left wing panel (overlap covering
1/4” at wing LE)
❑ 22. Top of right wing panel (overlap covering
1/4” at the LE)
*When covering concave surfaces, follow the iron
with a damp cloth, pressing the covering down.
APPLY THE PRIMER
Spray the entire aircraft with a thin coat of
primer. Add a second coat of primer to areas that
need it, such as seams in the MonoKote. Also
apply primer to the plastic parts to prepare them for
paint.
NOTE: Keep the primer very thin over
open structures such as the elevators.
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