Techniques for Monokote Graphics
By Don Hart
This technique is based on an article by Ann Marie Cross in the July 2000 issue of
RCModeler, page 78.
I have done only a couple of Monokote graphics at this point, but the technique works
well. Start out with simple graphics, and make any lettering fairly large to make them
easier to cut.
The author of the RCM article developed and used the technique in conjunction with a
professional model building business. Some of the models were prototypes of new
designs and graphics were not yet available from the manufacturer. This need drove the
development of this technique. The key element was the discovery of frisket (a plastic
film with a low tack adhesive used to create masks in airbrush painting) for transferring
the Monokote graphic to the model.
I had tried using Monokote Trim Solvent in the past with dismal results. Most of the
problems were from using too much Trim Solvent.
Materials:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Monokote Trim Solvent
Monokote of size and color appropriate for your graphic design
Frisket
Modeling knife, metal straight edge and #11 blades
Appropriate sized piece of glass – this is the surface you cut the design on
Your graphic design – this can be drawn by hand, but works best designed using a
computer graphic program (or scanned from an existing image) and printed on an
inkjet or laser printer
7. Paper towels
8. Masking tape
Preparing the graphic:
1. Create or scan the image or text you wish to apply to your plane (this can be AMA
numbers, scale markings or your own decoration – let your imagination run wild!)
2. Print your graphic – thin paper seems to work best.
3. Clean the glass you will use to cut your graphic on
4. Cut a piece of Monokote of the appropriate color to the size required – allow about a
1 inch margin on all sides of your design
5. Peel the backing off the Monokote and smooth it adhesive side down onto the glass –
try to minimize bubbles
6. Align the printed graphic over the Monokote on the glass and secure the paper with
masking tape
7. Use a new #11 blade to cut through both the paper and Monokote – use a straight
edge to guide the blade where possible; curves can be cut freehand with care. Take
your time. Change or sharpen the blade if the paper begins to pull.
8. Remove the paper from the glass.
9. Lift from the glass all the scrap Monokote, leaving only your graphic on the glass.
Transfer the graphic to your plane:
1. Clean the surface on the plane where the graphic will be applied.
2. Barely dampen a piece of paper towel and apply a very light coat of Trim Solvent
where the graphic will be applied. The article suggests letting the Trim Solvent dry
for 1-3 minutes. Your milage may vary…
3. Remove the backing from a sheet of frisket and apply it adhesive side down over the
graphic on the glass.
4. Lift the frisket from the glass – this will also lift your graphic with all its elements in
their proper orientation and relationship.
5. Carefully align the frisket and apply it to the plane – be careful here, you may get
only one chance to align the graphic as the Trim Solvent should instantly adhere the
Monokote graphic to the Monokote on the plane.
6. Carefully rub to adhere the graphic to the plane – the Trim Solvent should activate the
adhesive, permanently fixing it to the plane.
7. Carefully lift the frisket – some corners and edges of the graphic may not fully adhere
to the surface, carefully rub these down to the surface, trying to prevent wrinkles and
bubbles.
8. Your done! For complicated graphics, repeat this process for each color. Use masking
tape reference points on the glass and on the model to help you keep each color in
registration with those already applied.