Question on Stewart Systems

[perryv1]

Im in the process of recovering 1 wing.In the Recovering video,they show putting on a layer of padding over the leading edge before the fabric.My question is,if im only doing one wing ,should I do this step, and is there any potential corrosion or airfoil change in doing so.Also, is the glue that is used affected by zinc cromate primer,ie can i use it to protect things like the end bow and aleron supports.
Thanks
PV

[N96337]

Re: Question on Stewart Systems

Perry, I don't use padding, but actually use a layer of heavy fabric, but that's just me. The padding is optional as far as I know. I never did like it that much, and have seen corrosion (on older fabric jobs, but never any on Stewart's), but from what they tell me, the video shows it being saturated with the glue (?) and if so, then you wouldn't have that problem. That glue will do fine with anything you want it to stick to...it's awesome!
Where's the pics?
JH

[Edwin Otha]

Re: Question on Stewart Systems

PV,
I use a felt like product called Pellon. It's a polyester matting and I secure it to the leading edge with nitrate dope. Makes a beautiful leading edge.
Some manufacturers used rumple cloth that is made from cotton. It holds water and promotes corrosion. Its purpose is to keep the fabric from sticking to the leading edge material. Without some protection the fabric will wrinkle and split at the leading edge seams.
EO

[mulwyk]

Re: Question on Stewart Systems

Not Stewart's but...I used poly fibers "polyester padding" stuck on with poly-tak cement. I got it from Aircraft Spruce. It comes in 45" width, but a half width (22") is just about right for the T-Craft leading edge. You can use scrap pieces around that wing tip leading edge thing.

Great stuff. It makes a old lumpy leading edge look like new. One problem: you can't glue fabric onto the padding, so you can't use a blanket method that requires glueing the fabric to the leading edge.

[N96337]

Re: Question on Stewart Systems

One problem: you can't glue fabric onto the padding, so you can't use a blanket method that requires glueing the fabric to the leading edge.

With Stewart's, the glue is good enough that they got the approval to do glued seams everywhere...even over non structural parts, so that's not an issue anymore.
JH

[skip]

Re: Question on Stewart Systems

One of my hanger mates used Stewart's on his tri-pacer. One month after the re-cover, we had 20-year hailstorm and his Tri pacer is now occupying the hanger being recovered. The fabric covered leading edges were great. Some of the folks on our field had worried that all the glue saturating the polyester over the leading edges would add a lot of weight. Stripping off the old material showed that it was actually very light. The upshot of the hail damage and an early recover is that there are a lot of folks on the field now sold on the Stewart system.

[perryv1]

Re: Question on Stewart Systems

From what I have learned,I think this is the way to go.The only problem I have now is the fact that everybody from Stewarts is at SunNFun and isnt available to answer any questions or order stuff. oh well,the best work doesnt go fast.
Thanks for the input
PV

[d.grimm]

Re: Question on Stewart Systems

I agonized over this decision also. In the end I did exactly like they said to with the cotton underneath.
Leading edges came out great. (of course they were all new, and I know it's not a T-Craft.)
Order 1/3 more than they tell you by my experience and Jason Gerard.
Dave