VCOTE2-3DS - Rivets (3D) - Are they Fuel Proof?
Question: My model is covered with VCOTE2-3DS. The 3D rivets are very authentic looking! Some of the rivet indentations appear to have punctured the covering all the way through leaving a very small hole at the center of their base. Should I be concerned about this? How about fuel proofing?

Answer: Some of the 3D rivet indentations may have a very small hole in their center. These are then sealed with a small drop of CA at the factory before the entire model is factory overcoated with a clear coat sealer.
 
If you wish to be doubly sure about fuel proofing, for example in an area that is directly exposed to raw or burned fuel during operation, take a bottle of ZAP/CA with a microdropper tube and apply a drop of CA to any small holes that appear in the base of the 3D Rivets. This will apply yet another clear barrier and help to further ensure fuel proofing.
 
 
VCOTE2-3DS - Care & Maintenance - Quick Tips

Question: Do you have any pointers regarding the Care & Maintenance of VCOTE2 - 3DS?

Answer: Yes we have this Summary of Quick Tips and at www.richmondrc.com ( Enter Site > Support > Knowledge Base then Search on "Covering") we have an expanded explanation for each of these Tips.

VCOTE2 - 3DS is a proprietary covering system engineered in Canada & available only from VMAR. Please note that VCOTE2 - 3DS is NOT Monokote or Solarfilm, its different. As with any new modern technology, the maintenance methods may be different than those you used with your older covering so its important to read the Tips over FIRST. Whatever you want to do with VCOTE2 - 3DS, test it on a small out of the way area first.

Here is our Summary of Quick Tips related to VCOTE2 - 3DS covering.

  • Avoid Hot Vehicles
    • Cooking your model in your vehicle for hours on end is generally not a good idea! Temperatures can easily exceed 50C (122 F) under such conditions. You will get sags. Consult our Knowledge Base before attempting to remove sags.  
  • Cleaning After Flying
    • We recommend Fantastic household cleaner and disposable paper towels. Mist, do not flood. Wipe along seams, not across. Do NOT NOT NOT NOT use SIMPLE GREEN, 409 or similar materials for cleaning a model airplane.
  • Cleaning Initially
    • Upon initial inspection if you see a thin streaky film on any of the VCOTE2 - 3DS, work outdoors and after testing first on a small out of the way area, use a paper towel and wipe a slightly wet film of Alcohol over 1/4 of a wing or half a fuselage at a time. Rub gently while still wet. Change towels frequently. Avoid plastics.
  • Cutting
    • Use sharp scissors or an XACTO knife with a sharp #11 blade.
  • Protecting the Finish
    • Most Importantly - Follow the cleaning instructions. Use the recommended cleaners and method. Avoid raw fuel with nitro content higher than 15%. Dab away all raw fuel regardless of nitro content. Test a small out of the way area and all plastics first before applying any glue, solvent, cleaner, paint or other preparation. Patch punctures promptly. Avoid hours and hours sitting the direct sun.
  • Removing & Using Tape
    • Use low tack tape. When removing, peal tape back on itself so that the pulling is parallel to the surface of the covering.
  • Repairing Punctures
    •  Patch promptly. Clean any oil residue from the area of the puncture. Patch should be 1/2" (13 bigger) on all sides. Round the corners. Seal in place with a heat iron & sock. Tighten area with a heat gun.
  • Resealing Seams
    • Act promptly. Clean any oil residue from the area and reseal the seam with thin CA.
  • Tightening Sags
    • Remember SSB... SECURE the perimeter then SHRINK to fit then BOND to the structure. Use a heat gun and soft cotton cloth or glove and hand pressure to SECURE the perimeter, use a heat gun to SHRINK within the perimeter, use a soft cloth while the covering is warm to BOND the covering to solid substrates. Consult our Knowledge Base for further information.
  • Tools for Working with VCOTE2 - 3DS
    • Scissors, XACTO with #11 blade, iron, iron sock, regulated heat gun, soft cotton cloth or glove.