Blue River process question.

[taylorcraftbc65]

I bought my 1940 BC65 in January 2004. In 1988, it had been taken all the way down to it's frame, and completely rebuilt, airframe, engine, everything. It had also been kept in a hanger since that process started. I looked through the paperwork that I got with the plane, and found that it had been covered in the Blue River process. Six months ago, I moved the plane from T-27, which was closing, due to it's being sold my the family of the man who built it from nothing but sand and greasewood bushes to a reliever for ELP a year after his death to developers. The plane was brought out to our house, and placed in it's new attached T-Hanger. It has never been out in the weather except to be flown, so it has led a sheltered life, yet over the last two years, there started to be small, hairline cracks in it's topcoat that now cover the whole airplane. I'm wondering if there is any rejuvinator that cad fix this, and it wouldn't be wise to just go back to the good old fashioned Randolf system, that I am used to covering with. I will cover my ultralight design with the Stewart system, but that's only an ultralight, and if I get three years out of the fabric, that is FAR better than what ultralights come out of the factory with. Any comments, or suggestions??

[waltermrich]

Re: Blue River process question.

I had a Stinson in the late 90's with Blue River on it, and it had cracks all over the paint and fabric, at the time I found a chemical stripper that was used on aircraft fabric it is called Polyfix professional stripper , I called the company then and they stood by there product as a way to repaint fabric that you want to remove paint from without damage to the fabric. I did remove the old finish with excellent results, and repainted it. The fabric remained on the aircraft with no damage to glues and after washing the fabric it was perfect, they recommended it for removal of Blue River and I think they had a lot of experience with it. The wings I did completely redo in Poly Fiber. It is called Polyfix International Corp.P.O. Box 13240, Hamilton, Ohio 45013. Do not know if they still exist.

[M Towsley]

Re: Blue River process question.

I found a Safety Data Sheet that lists it as Polyfix/Redam Corporation. Website here: http://www.eos.net/redam/main.htm

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Blue River process question.

THANKS, Marty

[N96337]

Re: Blue River process question.

That must be the "hydrogloss" topcoat. Famous for just what you're describing!! As far as I've ever heard, the only "fix" is to get rid of it. Sorry.
Why wouldn't you just go with Stewarts instead of Randolf? You'll already be used to it after the ultralight.... it's the most flexible stuff I've ever seen and I've used it since the 90's.
John

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Blue River process question.

That must be the "hydrogloss" topcoat. Famous for just what you're describing!! As far as I've ever heard, the only "fix" is to get rid of it. Sorry.
Why wouldn't you just go with Stewarts instead of Randolf? You'll already be used to it after the ultralight.... it's the most flexible stuff I've ever seen and I've used it since the 90's.
John

Hi John ! Because I am already used to Randolf. I have covered / recovered many planes with it, and I like it's staying power. The only reasons that I am using Stewarts on the ultralight, are for the lighter weight, and the fact that I can apply it this winter in my shop with the "jet" heater going. I won't recover the Taylorcraft till next May, which here 80 miles due east of El Paso, Texas, will be nice and warm.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Blue River process question.

That must be the "hydrogloss" topcoat. Famous for just what you're describing!! As far as I've ever heard, the only "fix" is to get rid of it. Sorry.
Why wouldn't you just go with Stewarts instead of Randolf? You'll already be used to it after the ultralight.... it's the most flexible stuff I've ever seen and I've used it since the 90's.
John

Hi John ! Because I am already used to Randolf. I have covered / recovered many planes with it, and I like it's staying power. The only reasons that I am using Stewarts on the ultralight, are for the lighter weight, and the fact that I can apply it this winter in my shop with the "jet" heater going. I won't recover the Taylorcraft till next May, which here 80 miles due east of El Paso, Texas, will be nice and warm.

[VanDy]

Re: Blue River process question.

Had a 140 come through the shop earlier this year with just what you describe. Turns out that Stewarts aircraft systems now owns the STC, they said Blue River is the 'Grand Daddy' of the Stewarts System but wasnt developed directly from it. He also said that it just looks like crap and they've never had fabric fail as long as the UV coat underneath was still good. Just an FYI

[Ray36048]

Re: Blue River process question.

Does anyone know what process Piper used on the last Super Cubs that were built? They switched from the old standbys to one of the new systems. They had major major problems that required them to recover them all. That was the last fabric covered airplanes Piper built and the end of the Super Cub production.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Blue River process question.

Had a 140 come through the shop earlier this year with just what you describe. Turns out that Stewarts aircraft systems now owns the STC, they said Blue River is the 'Grand Daddy' of the Stewarts System but wasnt developed directly from it. He also said that it just looks like crap and they've never had fabric fail as long as the UV coat underneath was still good. Just an FYI

Oh, the fabric is fine, it just looks bad when you get within three feet of it.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Blue River process question.

Had a 140 come through the shop earlier this year with just what you describe. Turns out that Stewarts aircraft systems now owns the STC, they said Blue River is the 'Grand Daddy' of the Stewarts System but wasnt developed directly from it. He also said that it just looks like crap and they've never had fabric fail as long as the UV coat underneath was still good. Just an FYI

Oh, the fabric is fine, it just looks bad when you get within three feet of it.

[N96337]

Re: Blue River process question.

Does anyone know what process Piper used on the last Super Cubs that were built? They switched from the old standbys to one of the new systems. They had major major problems that required them to recover them all. That was the last fabric covered airplanes Piper built and the end of the Super Cub production.

That was the original Blue River process.... No part of that process is used in the current Stewarts process... The STC for that original process is indeed owned by Stewarts, but the STC for the Stewarts System process is a new and totally separate process and STC.