Film Covering NELSON LiteFILM™

Made in England for

NELSON Hobby Specialties

NELSON LiteFilm™ is an extremely light weight covering film especially designed for use with small light weight electric powered radio controlled aircraft. Small hand launched R/C gliders can also be covered with LiteFILM. It only weighs 0.6 ounces per sq. yard and this weight includes the color material and adhesive.

NELSON LiteFILM is perhaps the lightest iron-on covering film available. Weight only .6 oz/sq.yd. (w/adhesive). 13 colors offered including 5 transparent's. Durable and maintains taughtness. Supplied in 6 ft x 27 3/8" width.

MODEL PREPARATION

The surface the LiteFILM is to be applied to should be free of all dents, cracks, or gaps. Sand the wood surfaces smooth and wipe away all sanding dust. Be sure the structure is thoroughly dry by leaving it in a warm dry place for several hours immediately before covering. This is because any dampness (glue joints not properly dry) may steam and bubble with heat of the iron. Pre-coating of balsa can be done, but in most cases this is not necessary because of the extra strong bond achieved by the adhesive. On plywood and other hard woods, a better adhesive to these surfaces will be obtained if a heat activated glue, clear NELSON Hobby paint, thinned white glue, or dope is applied to the areas where the film contacts the structure. Another preparation option is to use AquaNet hair spray. Spray the areas to be covered with AquaNet. It is only lacquer and is similar to using dope. AquaNet is also good for attaching any of the covering films.

IRON TEMPERATURE

Correct sealing iron temperature is the key to easy covering with this material. Correct iron temperatures and slight changes in the covering technique will allow the user professional results. A modelers thermometer is the best way to set iron temperatures. The iron temperatures are:

LOW: For bonding LiteFILM to the airframe use 175 F. to 195 F. degrees. For sheet balsa use 175 F. degrees.

HIGH: For shrinking LiteFILM and stretching it around complex curves use 230 F. to 250 F. degrees.

House of Balsa 52" Akro Cub built by Jerry Nelson. Covered with Cream LiteFILM. Weight of covering about 2 ounces. Total aircraft weight is 27 ounces. Airtronics radio equipment. Astro 020 motor. Great flying very aerobatic model.

COVERING OPEN FRAMEWORK

To cover open framework such as built-up wings or fuselages, cut the material at least 2 inches oversize all around the perimeter of the structure. Use LOW (175-195 F. degrees) iron temperature. With the toe of the iron, seal down one corner of the panel, gently pull the the material tight at the opposite corner and iron down. Repeat for the other corners, pulling the material gently. Then seal the midpoint of each edge. With the sole of the iron, seal around the perimeter. Trim off surplus material by running a sharp blade along the edge of the panel. Iron down the cut edge securely. Where panels of the material meet, trim so they overlap about 1/4 of an inch and iron down the overlap securely. Do not rub the iron back and forth repeatedly over sharp edges. Just press down on the iron and gently move the iron across the film. If the iron is rapidly moved back and forth on edges, it will cause the material to be melted and thus creating a super smooth glazed finish which could cause paint not to stick to the material.

SHRINKING LITEFILM

To shrink LiteFILM make certain that all the edges have been securely attached to the structure. Change the iron temperature to HIGH (230-250 F. degrees). Gently glide the iron slowly across the film barely touching the surface. Tape or pin fragile flexible parts onto a flat surface while shrinking.

COVERING SOLID SURFACES

To cover solid surfaces such as balsa and foam, use LOW (175 F. degrees) iron temperatures. With the iron at low heat, iron down one end of the LiteFILM using light pressure and work towards the other end, Ironing down small areas until the whole piece is attached to the surface at every point. Do not shrink.

COVERING COMPOUND CURVES

To cover compound curves such as wing tips, cut the material with a 2 inch surplus around the part to be covered. Set the iron to HIGH (230 to 250 F. degrees) and seal the material to the high point of the curve. Grasp the surplus material opposite the high point and apply heat to the wrinkles in the material. At the same time, keep a steady tension on the material to stretch it over the section. Working on small areas, continue heating and stretching gently until the section is covered. Let the iron’s heat and gentle tension do the work, only sealing down with light iron pressure after the material has conformed to the curvature needed.

NELSON LiteFILM™ Covering Material
ITEM NO.	DESCRIPTION	QTY. PKG.	PRICE
LFM3006	WHITE	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3016	DARK GREEN	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3026	SILVER	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3036	CREAM	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3046	BLACK	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3056	YELLOW	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3066	RED	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3076	TRANS.YELLOW	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3086	TRANS. RED	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3096	TRANS. BLUE	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3106	TRANS. GREEN	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3116	DARK BLUE	6 FT.	$13.95
LFM3176	CLEAR (TRANSPARENT)	6 FT.	$13.95

Revised 04/07/08

Prices subject to change without notice.

NELSON LiteFILM is available from

NELSON Hobby Direct or at hobby dealers.