Repair warped foam

[briankizner]

Preparing for this winter’s indoor flying. I took my Clik out of the cedar closet and found the elevator is badly warped on the left side, apparently because some other things were placed on top of the aircraft over the summer. I am thinking I can repair it by bending the foam sheet while applying heat with a heat gun but I am not sure. Any suggestions? On a related subject, I thought I would get a second similar aircraft. Unfortunately, I do not know where to find one in Canada as it looks like Distribution aux Modellistes is now closed, joining the ranks of all the other Montreal area hobby shops that have disappeared. Even online, I don’t see anything I’d be interested in ordering at AMR or Great Hobbies or Eliminator RC. Looks like I’ll have to go to a US online retailer.

[briankizner]

I think I found a solution without applying heat. I just placed a small sheet of plywood over the affected area. The wood is just heavy enough to slightly over correct the twist. It has been sitting for about an hour now and the bend in the foam is improving. I think it will be ok after a few hours of gentle pressure.

[Mezri]

try with a steam cleaner if you have...it will rise it to 100 deg without risk of melting the foam but still make it easy to straighten back.

[briankizner]

Thanks Mezri

[Hector]

I am thinking I can repair it by bending the foam sheet while applying heat with a heat gun but I am not sure. Any suggestions?


Don't use a heat gun, it would melt the foam beyond repair before you can even react. Try a with a steam cleaner while applying some pressure, or wrap on paper towels while pouring hot water and applying pressure.

On a related subject, I thought I would get a second similar aircraft. Unfortunately, I do not know where to find one in Canada

I believe icare-icarus sells most of RC Factory kits, plus a drive to Boucherville can save you the shipping fees.

[briankizner]

Thanks Hector. Over the last forty years, Icare is probably the only local dealer I never visited. I will check them out in hopes that they don’t follow in the sad footsteps of Distribution, Udisco, Hobbieville, Carl’s, Cheval deTroi, and Hobby World. Ted’s hobby shop is still in business but is no longer taking care of our hobby. It makes me sad just to write the names of so many hobby suppliers that no longer exist. I guess we should try to buy from them and AMR to ensure they’ll be around a while longer.
As for my Clik, leaving a little bit of weight on the bent elevator surface for a few hours succeeded in straightening the elevator without any heat.

[Sempai-mj]

If you go to ICARE he works from home and the store/shop is marked in the picture with the "X" :)

I guess he may have a chance as his overhead is probably low.