Aileron Cove Question

[Mark Julicher]

Why is the inside of the aileron cover covered? Was this just a factory expedient in the original manufacturing process?
Since the original coves were covered inside, was the external surface left uncovered?

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Aileron Cove Question

The cove has holes cover the inside and the outside with fabric and the fabric bonds so it does not pull away on the outside. Standard Taylorcraft stuff.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Aileron Cove Question

Thanks Forrest,
I figured it might be something like that, but I could not understand why the original fabric was actually underneath the rivets.
So the interior fabric was riveted in and then when the exterior fabric was glued on it had good adhesion.
I am now more edumacated.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Aileron Cove Question

I still learn everyday, all last week too!! Had everything break that could; BUT we got her fixed and I got to fly a lot with students; even did some prep for new ratings now that I am clear with the TSA. Raining now so i will catch up today.

[mhorowit]

Re: Aileron Cove Question

Thanks Forrest,
I figured it might be something like that, but I could not understand why the original fabric was actually underneath the rivets.
So the interior fabric was riveted in and then when the exterior fabric was glued on it had good adhesion.
I am now more edumacated.

Mark - I assume you are recovering the wing. I'm in the process of removing the fabric and notice that interior fabric you speak of. What did you do with it? clean it of glue as much as you can and leave it in place?

Second; I'm using MEK to remove the old glue. I've found that the MEK needs to soak in for a while before I can use a MEK soaked scrubber to remove the glue (in multiple passes). Do you have a secret for removing the glue any faster or effeciently? - Mike

[Ray36048]

Re: Aileron Cove Question

Paint stripper also works. I removed all of the fabric from mine to clean up the corrison. I plan to use Poly Fiber in the recover. Poly Fiber does not shrink like dope finishes. I don't think the inside fabric would be required using this process. I plan to just glue the fabric to the outside cove surface.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Aileron Cove Question

Mike,
Do what Ray said - use paint stripper on the tough spots. Paint stripper has MEK and other stuff in it and it is thick and gooey so it will stay in place long enough to really loosen up the old crud.
I have also been known to (carefully) scrape away glue with the edge of a knife as if I were refinishing furniture. Just be careful with that technique, and never use steel wool which will leave iron threads behind.

I removed the old fabric. It serves no useful purpose anymore.

[mhorowit]

Re: Aileron Cove Question

As soon as I saw "paint stripper" I was reminded of Kevin jumping up and extolling the virutes of "Dad's Stripper". Thanks - Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: Aileron Cove Question

Paint stripper has MEK and other stuff

Methylene Chloride is the other stuff, and it's dangerous stuff if unaware, but safe if you take precautions. It's safer in Gel form, but more effective (and cheaper) in liquid form. Full fresh-air breathing mask, etc.

They put it in a gel form because it's so evaporative, it'll disappear in front of your eyes (if your eyeballs survive).

In liquid form (i.e. using as a dunk tank) it needs an inch of water floating on top to stop it evaporating, but will remove almost all known paints, perhaps excepting some powder-coat types (and we don't use powder-coat on aeroplanes, do we?)

[astjp2]

Re: Aileron Cove Question

Actually most strippers have Methelen Chloride in it as the active ingredient....