Annual Time (Questions)

[Dano"T"]

Were just finishing the Annual on my plane and some questions have arisen. Nothing earth shattering...just things I want to fix soon. Also, some of you have asked me for some pictures of modifications done to my plane and other things like float fittings, and powder coating of wheels so after my questions...click the links for the pictures of interest. I have noticed some light ringworming of the dope on my plane in certain places and would like to know "Specifically" the best (easiest) solution. The fabric is Ceconite 102...the finish is Stits Polyeurethane enamel. If any of you know some tricks to make this as painless as possible let me know, I would sure appreciate it.

My IA Throwing Holy Water on my exaust
Clamp On Rear Attach Float Fittings
Powder Coated "Chrome Wheels"
Lightweight extended baggage 1
Lightweight extended baggage 2
The baggage compartment is made of canvass and is tie wrapped to the tubing...there is a plywood floor and should be adequate to haul large amounts of (As Rob Lees put it) Ping Pong Balls

The baggage compartment can be seen in the first picture quite well also.


Crispy, I have not been able to get pictures of the C-90 exhaust yet...This weekend for sure.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

Love that baggage sack! Is that part of the 1500 gross weight STC, or is that just the standard 1280 pound weight baggage compartment that got "worn and stretched" slightly over the years?

[Robert Lees]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)


My recollection on ping-pong balls relate to some dim-&-distant conversation about flotation, when it came to over-water flying (I do a lot).

Fill the voids in the wings/fuselage with them, if the donkey quits over water, there's lots of flotation available for not much weight penalty.
Still haven't done it, though!

[Dano"T"]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

I was going to start a freight service using the T-Craft to haul maybe goose feathers or helium baloons for hire. If I can find a destination that has a pillow factory on one end and a Birthday party supply shop on the other end for a back haul I'll be in business.

How about that paint cracking and ringworm problem I have...any suggestions for an easy fix without re-painting the whole plane? There seems to be some cracks in the finish along the belly where the fabric vibrates against the tubing also. There are only a couple of small areas that need attention...but I want to fix them now before it gets worse.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

Dan: Stits Aerothane enamel is non-repairable, in that it cannot be rejuvenated (softened) unlike Poly-Tone.

Your only options are realistically to sand back to a good surface & repaint, or to put up with it as it is.

[dewhitaker]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

The ring worm problem can be corrected with a liberal dose of suitable thinner for the paint on the aircraft. Take a rag and saturate the area surounding it and rub in circular motion down till you get to the silver. Then you will need to build the area back up, with whatever color you need. I believe there is several publications that describe this procedure. I am not at my home library at present, but will look tomorrow when I get home. It is not hard to do, just takes time and patience.

[Gary Snell]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

The problem with the aerothane is that you can't soften it with MEK. Depending on the extent of the damage area, you might try sanding to the silver and touching up again. Urethanes usually blend easily with some extra thinner/retarder. I've also removed urethane from stits (probably wasn't aerothane) using a paint remover when putting in new wing inspection covers on a champ. The paint remover easily removed the urethane without touching the silver underneath. Try an inconspicuous area. This link might also be of help.

http://www.polyfiber.com/techquestions/fabricrepairs/index.htm

[Dano"T"]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

Thanks guys...there are only a couple of very small areas with very small cracks in the finish. I just want to get at them before it becomes a problem. Cracks have started forming on the horizontal stab and underneath on the belly. I think I will either rub down the area with thinner or sand and re-paint since they are in relatively inconspicuous areas.

[crispy critter]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

Dano,
Be careful with the rub down method, I agree, if the areas are small this is the neatest way to go but if you use the wrong thinner it could act like a stripper all the way through the silver. I also have to agree with Rob when I say there is no easy or neat way to blend the enamel.
Also,I look forward to seeing those pics but don't make a special trip for them.....I'm still a ways off from doing my exhaust.

[Dano"T"]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

Thanks. I spoke to a technical support guy from the polyfiber site and he confirmed to wetsand and re-paint only...that is the only option for this type of finish. My annual is done and as soon as weather permits...I can fly again! The only problem we had was the leaky wing tank valve under the dash...replaced it and we're good to go. We replaced both valves because the ones I had used a type of packing instead of an O-ring and I lost faith in that type with the first leaky one. I hope I never have that problem again. It creates a real mess when the nose tank backfeeds to the valve and onto the floor! Thank god I had 100LL in it and not auto fuel....the stink would have been really bad. I'll have the skis on by tonight!!!! I can't wait.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

It creates a real mess when the nose tank backfeeds to the valve and onto the floor!

The small of gas is one problem... and then what about having gas fumes and leaks near the ignition switch and whatever other battery powered radios or avionics are down there?

Mr. Gilberti, what do you think about moving those valves now???

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Annual Time (Questions)

Gilberti did not move the valves. That was an engineering consensus in 1946 shown on the ATC hoping to improve the fuel transfer flow from the wing aux tanks to the main tank.... I always thought they were knee knockers myself...