Oratex Covering.

[Tom G]

Does anyone know if any progress has been made on getting this fabric approved in the USA? I've been going to have my plane painted but the cost is through the roof. And at that i would be painting 25 year old Ceconite. My plane has been either covered or inside all this time and just had a very thorough ($$$$) annual in July and its in great shape. But i just though this stuff sounds really good.

Oratex sounds like a great alternative.

Does anyone have any experience with this material? It sounds really good!

[Robert Lees]

Re: Oratex Covering.

If your existing fabric is OK, why change it? Don't paint on top of 25 year old Ceconite, you're painting good money on to old.

Oratex is a "different" product; I have some experience of it. The final re-cover cost is about the same, just the H&S issues are reduced significantly. I thought it was approved in the US? It's EASA approved on all new certified EASA Robin aircraft, and there is a bi-lateral FAA/EASA agreement on STCs nowadays.

Rob

[3Dreaming]

Re: Oratex Covering.

My son is getting a sample to check out for a glider project. I know they have some STC's here in the states, but I have not seen Taylorcraft listed.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Oratex Covering.

Oratex is well-used on VLA-type aircraft, which I guess includes gliders. The heavier-weight fabric might not yet approved?

I like the simplicity, but I don't like the lack of colours available.
Rob

[N95334]

Re: Oratex Covering.

I read the web site for Oratex and confused as ever. They say paint it on the heat shrink it. Paint it onnwhat?
Raw fabric, over existing cover job? Then the say use their fabric over bare frames. Can you enlighten me what
is this process.

[likeTs2]

Re: Oratex Covering.

You paint the glue on the frame and the contact surfaces on the back side of the fabric. After the glue dries the fabric is laid in place and the glue set with a calibrated hot iron. The fabric is shrunk with the hot iron and a calibrated heat gun. Looks like a relatively simple process if you follow their directions carefully. They have some videos on their site that demonstrate the work and list the tools required.

[likeTs2]

Re: Oratex Covering.

They have STCs for some planes but not Taylorcraft yet. I talked to one of the sales reps and he said he believed that you could get a field approval as the FAA is now familiar with the process.

[astjp2]

Re: Oratex Covering.

I will stick with something that has a 50 year reputation as a reliable fabric...like Stits and Ceconite. The oratex is more like monoKote...and the stewarts system is still too new for me to use, especially for customers who I have to back with my reputation and any warranty issues...Tim

[3Dreaming]

Re: Oratex Covering.

The oratex is more like monoKote....Tim

It is like Monocote in how it is applied to the airframe. It is more like Polyfiber in the fact that it is a polyester fabric. The difference is the paint is applied at the factory instead of the field.

[n6346m]

Re: Oratex Covering.

Does anyone know if any progress has been made on getting this fabric approved in the USA? I've been going to have my plane painted but the cost is through the roof. And at that i would be painting 25 year old Ceconite. My plane has been either covered or inside all this time and just had a very thorough ($$$$) annual in July and its in great shape. But i just though this stuff sounds really good.

Oratex sounds like a great alternative.

Does anyone have any experience with this material? It sounds really good!

I don't know about Oratex, but if your fabric is in good shape and doesn't have any paint on it, I would suggest using rejuvenator and then apply a new coat of dope. If done even half way right it will look great and last for years. I did my L-2 fuselage about ten years ago and it still looks great.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Oratex Covering.

It is like Monocote in how it is applied to the airframe. It is more like Polyfiber in the fact that it is a polyester fabric. The difference is the paint is applied at the factory instead of the field.

Ceconite is also polyester (rumours have it that both Ceconite and Polyfiber comes off the same mill; just the Indian ink stamp is different). Probably Oratex fabric comes from the same source as Diatex fabric; both originated in Europe, but for sure it's polyester...and maybe even from the same mill as makes Ceconite and Polyfiber fabric, but I have no evidence of that).

Rob

[N95334]

Re: Oratex Covering.

But I am still confused or stupid. It appears the you paint it on over existing fabric and heat shrink it.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Oratex Covering.

But I am still confused or stupid. It appears the you paint it on over existing fabric and heat shrink it.

I think you are confused, or something was lost in translation. Maybe you can provide a link to what you saw, or copy and paste it here.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Oratex Covering.

But I am still confused or stupid. It appears the you paint it on over existing fabric and heat shrink it.

No, Dennis, it is for fresh, new covering only.

Rob

[mike lutz]

Re: Oratex Covering.

The way I understand it, once you cover the airframe, if you choose to you can then paint it using their paint. Don't take my word on this though. They have different colors of fabric I understand also I have heard too.