Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

[fearofpavement]

I'm finally getting to a long forgotten project (Yellow Duck) and need to patch some fabric. I'm not sure what type of fabric system is on it and there is no log records of it. The logs had been "lost" some years ago but there is also no reference to it on the CD from the FAA.

The fabric seems to be Dacron but the coating is unknown. I'm pretty sure it's not Ceconite as it doesn't have that blue/green color it usually has, it also doesn't have the pinkish/red of Polyfiber. A friend of mine looked at it and he wasn't sure but thought it may be a Urethane type process that isn't around much anymore as the dope/paint whatever can be fairly easily peeled off the fabric. (He said "Superflight" or something like that...)

From the inside, the fabric color seems a pretty neutral color. Tan would be what I call it. Anyone have any ideas? Best I can tell, the aircraft was covered about 1990 give or take a few years.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

tan should be airtech, gray would be superflite, pink would be polyfiber, blue would be randolph. both polyfiber and randolph have non tinted base nitro dopes for open cockpit. airtech is still around and properly applied cant be peeled from the fabric.

[N96337]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

Yup, what he said! ^^^^

[fearofpavement]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

I'll have to look at the plane again to determine if it's gray or tan... I'm about 1000 miles away right now so it'll have to wait a few days...

[fearofpavement]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

I looked at the fabric again and I couldn't call it either tan or gray. It is basically colorless. So I'm assuming it's a Urethane coating. Would it matter which Urethane process I repair this with? ie, just guess which coating system it is?

[astjp2]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

you cant mix processes, Steve Whitman was killed because he did. Fabric separated from the wings and no more flying...

[fearofpavement]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

Well, it would be nice to know what system was used. But I don't. I'm pretty sure a patch around the landing gear attach point isn't going to make the wings fall off. These urethane processes aren't very common so I don't have any other aircraft to compare it to... Maybe I could send a swatch to someone to look at and get an opinion.

[N96337]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

The ONLY one that's approved to repair all of the urethane systems, no matter what system has been used is Stewarts.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

Isn't that a water based system?

[fearofpavement]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

The other issue, besides the repair that needs to be done, is that there should be a 337 on file for the fabric job and there isn't. The logs were "lost" some years ago but the FAA disc doesn't show any 337 for the recover job. That will be an issue when the aircraft gets put back in service. I can file an "as found" 337 but can't do it without some knowledge of the coating system utilized.

[ricky]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

On the stits or polyfiber there be stamp on the fabric that will tell what it is, an strength, on the folyfiber fabric,cecronite will be green in colour,witch you can join the fabric stitts an cecronite together as long as you going from cetronite to stits system

[Edwin Otha]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

Scuff it up and use the Stewarts glue. That stuff is as tough as a hogs nose. Get a Urethane that matches and go have fun.
EO

[perryv1]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

The ONLY one that's approved to repair all of the urethane systems, no matter what system has been used is Stewarts.

Yup what he said

[N96337]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

. Get a Urethane that matches and go have fun.
EO

It's definitely NOT legal then. Either you have to use the same that's on it...providing THAT is a currently approved system.... or go with an approved repair ie Stewarts. Fabric systems used to specify only through the fill coats...but that doesn't get it anymore. Even when making repairs to a system that was legal 20+ years ago with automotive topcoat, you have to use currently approved materials.
I'd say that it sounds alot like Airtech or Superflight to me... leaning towards Airtech from your statement that it looks "colorless". Either way, you're correct in stating that you're going to have to get a 337 for the fabric installation. That's not a huge deal. Your IA should be able to look it over (with a current procedures manual in hand) and determine that it was installed properly as far as can be determined by inspection. Again...not a huge deal!
John

[fearofpavement]

Re: Identifying type of fabric covering on Taylorcraft

I'm not worried about getting a 337 for the fabric as I can fill that out myself. However I need to know what system was used prior to submitting one. The "repair" is a small area so Stewarts may be the solution for that part of it.