Ceconite covering process discussion and Nitrate/buterate dope

[cvavon]

Re: Ceconite covering process discussion and Nitrate/buterate dope

terry if that is a later model would you like some taylorcraft wire to use in stead of stitching i have a roll

[barnstmr]

Re: Ceconite covering process discussion and Nitrate/buterate dope

Hello - and sorry that I have not given an update lately.... It is down to crunch time as I am trying hard to get my repairs done in time for the Taylorcraft Fly-in here in TX. I was off all week last week on a mission trip. As bad as I needed that week to get the Repairs done... The mission trip was needed more. We had a successful visit to the New Mexico Christian Children's Home and it was a blessing to all. So anyway...

I got started back with the repairs on Sunday... then late night after work every night this week. I brushed 2 coats of silver (aluminum powder paste mixed with Butyrate clear non-tautening.). This was on top of the 2 coats of Nitrate (green) Rand-O-Proof non tautening which I had brushed 2 weeks before. NOTE - I mistakenly got the silver step out of order, as the process actually calls for clear butyrate after the Rand-o-proof. But once I realized the mistake, I got on the phone with Mark (the I.A.) and we agreed not a major deal since the silver coats are also butyrate.

We had a bunch of rain and humidity Monday and Tuesday... so doping was a NO-GO early this week. Wednesday nite, Lon helped me and we got started with spraying. Since then, we have sprayed another 2 coats of silver and 2 coats of clear Butyrate... wet sanded a bunch. I am now ready for color butyrate this afternoon... looks like we have great doping weather. All of this has been a RE-LEARNING process for me and it has really been a good experience and fun. All is looking good at this point through silver.




Also, last night I sprayed black enamel on my RH wing lift strut parts... did not get the perfect job I had hoped for, but it is done... I probably could have gotten a better job with retarder... I found that skimping on enamel paint is not a good idea. I used Rustoleum thinned per instructions with mineral spirits. It just wouldn't flow like I wished. But hey... I learned something and I can sand em down and do over in August when I hope to have the money for matching new struts from Univair.

Mark Julicher is My I.A. and he is coming over Saturday to help... we hope to get the airplane re-assembled and returned to service. Lord willing, I will be able to make it to the fly-in yet. Somehow we still need to figure out some time in our schedule to go pick up Lon's Taylorcraft (an hour west) one day before the fly-in.

[barnstmr]

Re: Ceconite covering process discussion and Nitrate/buterate dope

terry if that is a later model would you like some taylorcraft wire to use in stead of stitching i have a roll

Chuck...
Thanks for the offer... but I used the same fabric attachment method as was already on the airplane.... rivets. Technically I have not found where this was approved, but the repair instructions said I need to retain the existing fastening type. One of the ribs I also added rib-stitches between the rivets because of the way I had sewn in the patch, there was a need for reinforcement I felt.

Incidentally, it was apparent to me that these old Taylorcraft ribs are subject to damage when removing old fabric. I noticed that some of the wire holes had torn out at some time in the past and new holes had been added on a prior restoration. This is something folks should bear in mind when removing old fabric. we should all careful and try to retain the structural integrity of the ribs as best we can.

[Ray36048]

Re: Ceconite covering process discussion and Nitrate/buterate dope

There is a very old STC that does not have an owner. STC SA1-217 allows the use of PK screws in place of the Taylorcraft wires. It also has a revision to use pop rivets. The STC is dated 1959. The owner is Capital Air Services. They seem to be long gone. If you could get control and obtain ownership, that would be a big plus for the Taylorcraft owners.

[barnstmr]

Re: Ceconite covering process discussion and Nitrate/buterate dope

Color coats went on Friday... doping weather was good so I got two coats on after work... DONE!!! Mixed in some retarder and this made a huge difference... very happy with the fill and gloss finish. Color does not match existing... not surprized... the old dope is 25 yrs old. Hopefully I can polish on the old color until it comes closer to matching the new finish.








Wing went back on the airplane today with new Univair struts on the RH side. Still have some small tweaks and little jobs to be flight ready... but very happy here. Hope for nice weather next weekend for the fly-in.

[Bravo 6]

Re: Ceconite covering process discussion and Nitrate/buterate dope

Looks Great Terry! Hoping for good weather and looking forward to seeing and meeting everyone next weekend!