Top covering

[Fumbles]

Ok - so I see a lot of cars with a see through plastic/vinyl covering. I've seen that some are Econokote and are ironed on (worried about warpage as it shrinks) and others use a vinyl covering. I'm assuming that what is being used is the thinnest possible covering. I've found Econokote at the hobby store but want to see what vinyl stick on applications are out there as well. I've looked online at vinyl and found 3 thou thick stuff that is sticky on one side.

I still have yet to build my first professional PWD car to race with you guys but have been building a couple of cars with my son for his upcoming PWD race next month. We spray painted his cars though.

What do you guys use - how thick is it and does it weigh a lot?

 

[Mojo Racing]

I am glad you asked that question.

I have been to 5Kids site and he mentions printing labels and using a clear tape or something clear to cover and protect it.

Some use the monokote and econokote to finish theirs.

Then, I have heard about Kinser's Sharpie technique.

I have painted all of my cars that I built so far, but the one for my avatar took almost two weeks to get right, and I am not wanting to put that much time into a paint job on a car (this was my best design car) when I should be putting the work into prep.

I am looking into the Papilio vinyl sheets, but haven't made that commitment yet.

Still trying to decide, so, like I said, I am glad you asked... I would be interested in this also.

 

[Vitamin K]

I'm going to experiment with the printing labels, at some point. Probably not as light as monokote, but I don't imagine it would add /too/ much weight.

 

[Vitamin K]

Oh, another covering that I've heard used (perhaps it was Lightninboy), is the translucent tape that you buy to fix a busted light on your automobile. It's self-adhesive!

 

[Quicktimederby]

I just use all types of scrap vinyl. The amount used, the thickness doesn't matter, the amount of weight added is next to nothing. You could go to a sign or print shop and ask them to buy their scrap vinyl. I beat some places will just give it to you.

 

[twistediron]

Have a look here http://www.tapebrothers.com/

 

[Mister B Racing]

I have used Avery 18665 Clear Full Sheet Inkjet Labels 8 1/2 x 11. You can get them at any office supply store.

 

[Hogans Racing]

I just use all types of scrap vinyl. The amount used, the thickness doesn't matter, the amount of weight added is next to nothing. You could go to a sign or print shop and ask them to buy their scrap vinyl. I beat some places will just give it to you.

+1 It's the least expensive and easy to use. Their scraps go along way for our little cars!

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

I also use scraps from a local sign shop as well as monokote from a hobby shop.

 

[Vitamin K]

I also use scraps from a local sign shop as well as monokote from a hobby shop.

I worked in a sign shop during college (before the pinewood bug bit me). I can only dream of having access to rolls and rolls of lovely vinyl, plus plotters and digital printers these days. /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

 

[zigzag]

I have painted all of my cars that I built so far, but the one for my avatar took almost two weeks to get right, and I am not wanting to put that much time into a paint job on a car (this was my best design car) when I should be putting the work into prep.

BTW - that paint job looks awesome.

 

[Mojo Racing]

Thanks ZigZag.... Lots of work... and time... but it was worth it for the cause on that one.

 

[Mojo Racing]

Okay... I have another question on coverings...

I know some of you use the plywood for the cars... do you prefer 1/64 or 1/32 ply?

I am still tossing the idea of paint around, and if I paint, I want the plywood... just not sure what thickness I am wanting to play with yet.

 

[Hogans Racing]

I like 1/64 it's super lite and easy to work with.

 

[HMH Racing]

Agree 1/64

 

[ngyoung]

Can't find any 1/64 at my local hobby shops. They only go to 1/32. Guy at one wondered what I would use something that thin for.

 

[Kinser Racing]

1/64" at the craft store.

 

[Fumbles]

Can't find any 1/64 at my local hobby shops. They only go to 1/32. Guy at one wondered what I would use something that thin for.

Is it a Hobby Town store? Our local HT store carries a huge display for Midwest wood products. Balsa & Basswood. The 1/64 stuff is basswood and is towards the bottom and is slid vertically on edge into a very small space. I nearly missed it. I did weight a same size piece of 1/64 basswood vs a 1/32 balsa piece that was sized approximately the same as the rear end of our cars and the balsa was lighter (if strengthened with thin super glue would probably be as strong as the basswood). I like the basswood because it is easy to work with and you can run a strip using the grain of the wood to strengthen anywhere you might need it (ie - top of the wood across the rear axle, but make sure to run the grain the correct direction for the strength.) Don't ask me how I know this... ya can't fool me 5 times !

 

[3phase]

I've only seen the 1/64 plywood in birch. I'll have to look for the basswood,

 

[Fumbles]

I've only seen the 1/64 plywood in birch. I'll have to look for the basswood,

NUTS! I meant it was birch sheeting. I mixed up what I was thinking. There's a ton of basswood at the store too but that 1/64 sheeting I got was birch. It comes in a sheet that was around 6x12 or so...Sorry for the alzheimers moment...