Stewart Systems covering process discussion

[Guest]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

This discussion sounds like heating is required.

However I do not see that as a requirement in the documentation.

There it is only a method for temporary fabric hold.

Are you folks heating 100% of every joint?

If so where did that direction come from? (not challenging you just looking for documentation)

Thanks, Dave.

[Guest]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

BTW - it appears that you can apply heat to make the joint stick together even when the joint is nearly "dry".

Have you found that also? Is it good to do that? or bad?

Thanks, Dave.

[N96337]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

Dave,
Yes, that's a bit cool...and you will see longer dry times at that temp. That being said, are you over filling the joint? A light coat is all it takes on each surface...not like the MEK based adhesive that most are used to dealing with. Full strength isn't achieved for a while....depending on humidity and temp. As far as heating to achieve the joint strength...yes, that works...even with a dry joint. One of the demo's that Polyfiber used to do was to cement a length of 2" tape in a loop to show the shear strength of their adhesive. When I was teaching the classes on this stuff I took it a bit further...I'd do the loop, then show that our glue had more shear strength than their glue, then show how much more pealing strength it has, and when the loop was opened, I'd take my loop and press it between my hands for a few minutes, then toss it to one of the students and have them try to pull it apart again. It doesn't take much heat to let that seam get strong again.
Think of this adhesive as a contact cement, not the glue you're used to and it will make much more sense.
Is that a great thing? I think so, but I'm sure there are those who don't for some reason.
I'd try to go thinner and let the seam tack up more and see how it goes for you.
Good luck,
John

[Guest]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

Thanks John,

Well I am screwing it up as I trying to get as thick a first coat as possible.

I will stop doing that.

My second piece of farbric went much better than the first because I let the glue dry more before putting the fabric on.

Will try the thinner first coat on piece #3.

Thanks again John, Dave.

[Guest]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

WOW !

Much better results when using a thin coat of glue for the initial application.

I also notice that while they say to let it dry enough to get tacky that in my opinion it would be better say let it dry until it changes color from light blue to dark blue.

Letting it dry that much made the fabric stick better even before ironing to to hold it down and the ironing when much better since there were no wet globs coming thru the weave and gumming up the iron.

Dave

[Mark]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

If any of you are intersted in a 3 day workshop using the Stewart Systems Products let me know. We will be having one thrid weekend of May in Osceola Iowa. It will start with covering, rib stitching, finish tapes, filling, and painting. Mark Williams

[Guest]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

I sure am.

As you can see from my posts I certainly could benefit from it but its a bit far from NC.

Hope you get many attendees.

Dave

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

Same here! Same problem. SE Virginia is a bit far to travel. Any chance someone could set up a lap top and we could join in on line?

Hank

[woodmw]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

A few years ago, one of our local EAA chapter members was nearing the covering stage of his project and contacted Stewart Systems about a class. Just in our chapter, there were enough attendees to put on the class. I'll bet you could contact Stewart for the details, and then EAA chapters and area airport bulletin boards looking for persons to attend, you could put on your own school.

[Mark]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

I am the instructor for Stewart Systems. For the past year I have done workshops at Sebring, Ohio, Oshkosh,and Copperstate. We have a 3-day workshop in Las Vegas the last week of Feb. (full). We are in the process of arranging for more in various places.
I am heading to NC soon to visit family. If we could get approx 10 people and a place to do it we could do a 3 day Workshop in your area.
Contact me a [email protected] and we will see what can be arranged.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

I will use this system on my ultralights, but am hesitant to use it on my Taylorcraft. The reason is, that the Blue River System is what my Taylorcraft was covered in just before I bought it in 2003, and in spite of always having been hangered when not flying, it has a gazillion small cracks in the finish that you can see if you are within five feet of the aircraft. I am NOT pleased with the expense of a prospect of a complete recovering job, on this plane when I have seen hangered aircraft go 20 years with the Stitts system, and still look great. If I have to recover this plane after only twelve years in a hanger, I am strongly considering, going with I know how to use, and what appears to last long enough, to where I will "Fly West, into the sunset" before it needs recovering. Thoughts anyone??

[FAT KID]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

Has anyone on this sight used this covering system on an aircraft that is not hangared 365 days a year?

[cvavon]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

Blue river is no more out of business and not at all like Stewart systems.The top coat from Stewart is so flexible i have cut out from inspection ring and i have twisted and tied it in knots and it is not cracked or lost it's integrity it is on my desk and i have played with it for two months almost daily and still is good. here are the photos of the peace of fabric number one os the cut out number two is the peace that i folded in half and creased it with my thumb nail on the desk top and the last is the peace flattened out i took these just now .

[cvavon]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

Bree this is the plane that the cut out came from the current Stewarts top coat is great to work with and very flexible not like the old Blue river paint

[skip]

Re: Stewart Systems covering process discussion

Has anyone on this sight used this covering system on an aircraft that is not hangared 365 days a year?

I am tied down outside. Hangers are VERY scarce here at KLAM for a variety of reasons. I am partners in a hanger that allows rebuilds, but not storage. My hanger mate completed a full restoration of his Tri-Pacer in 2011.
I completed a spar-up rebuild of my wings last year. Both of us used Stewart Systems. Both are outdoors. Not only that, but we are at 7200 MSL so the sun, and in particular the UV, is especially intense.

Bruce's Custom Covers makes a good alternative to a hanger and both the Tri-Pacer and my Taylorcraft are so covered. I am not worried about the finish at this point. I trust it. I am more concerned with keeping water out of the wing roots and the covers seem to do that job well.