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Ron, I just recently covered two sets of PA-18 wings and then the wings of
my Ercoupe. I did the Piper wings in Stits and the Ercoupe wings in
Superflite. Both came out well. The Stits process took longer but was
compatible with the zinc chromate primer that we found on the wing
structure. The Glue used on the superflite system removes zinc chromate so
I primed the coupe wing structure with a self etch epoxy primer ( over the
zinc chromate that had previously been applied ) then applied the glue for
the covering. The Superflite system is applied as follows assuming that the
structure is ready for covering.
1. apply glue (green colored) to any surface that the fabric will touch
like ribs etc. Let it dry to the touch about 15 minutes. The glue is
thinned with MEK. use good ventilation or a chemical mask.
2. Lay fabric on the wing. Either a blanket or envelope. I used the
blanket method. Then using a brush with MEK wet the fabric where the green
glue was applied. The MEK will soak thru, reactivate the underlying glue
and dry in about 15 minutes. Once dry, the joint is permanent but can be
moved about by re-wetting with MEK.
3. Iron fabric as usual.
4. Lay down reinforcement strip, doublers etc. by applying glue, let it
dry, putting strips on top of the glue and wetting with MEK and allow to
dry.
5. Apply two coats of Superflite fabric primer. I used a HVLP spray gun
to apply two coats. Each coat consisted of two layers, one lengthwise and
the other crosswise to the wing span.
6. I wet sanded between the two coats with 400 grit wet and dry because
the area I sprayed in was not entirely dust free and some dust nubs were in
the finish.
7. I allowed one day to dry then sprayed on one ( 1 ) coat of paint,
again
cross wise. The one coat did a good job of covering the wing and a second
coat was not required.
Each wing gained a little less than 10 lbs. in the covering process. I
weighed each wing just before step one and again after step 7. The finish
is bright shiny and looks like it was waxed etc. I choose this method
because I don't have access to covered stowage and the urethane process is
very flexible without cracking. We have a lot of Hail here in southeast
Georgia during the summer thunderstorms and other aircraft at the airport
covered with this process have no problems with cracks in the fabric
covering or paint. The hail just bounces off. The bright finish looks
great and exactly matches the shine on the aluminum fuselage unlike Stits or
other dope systems. The Superflite web site gives a good overview and has
the instruction manual available for review. I am pleased and found this
system faster to apply, fewer coats etc. The cost for my wings including
all materials including fabric was just under $1500. If you have any
questions, please yell.
Rich Blair
N99997 & N23287
Kingsland, Ga.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Hynes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 11:22 PM
Subject: [COUPERS-FLYIN] Ercoupe fabric finishing
----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any
advice in this forum.]----
Hi all, I am interested in hearing comments concerning the type of
finishing that is preferred by those whose wings are fabric covered.
There
are several different coating materials available such as Butyrate for
example and many new types that have been in use several years. What are
the pro's and what are the con's of each product ?
I have experience only with the much older Butyrate and have been
satisfied
to a degree with this dope method over the years. Presently covering my
J3
s wings and tail feathers but would like a more shiny [ wet ] look.
The butyrate dope method is easier to repair I suspect, however it may
well
be not as firesafe as some modern finishes.
Comments welcome.
Ron Hynes up here in the frozen North.
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