Waterbased Paint

[Len Petterson]

Someone written about waterbased paint,I can't find just remeber it was 3 letters in the manefacturers name.
Can someone please steer me on to it agin.
Len Petterson

[JKBichsel]

Len,

Is this the product you are referring to?

AFS Aircraft Finishing System --- http://www.aircraftfinishing.com/

They are in Montana. I know several people who swear by this product.

Good Luck!

Jed

[mulwyk]

Anyone have anything negative to say about the AFS system? I'd really like to use their stuff for my recover, but if there's a possibility of trouble long term OR short term I'll just stick with stinky old Poly Fiber.
Bob Gustafson

[alwaysoar]

AFS

My airplane was covered with ceconite fabric using the "Blue River" process, which is the forerunner of AFS. The glue used was cecobond, and the UV protection was cecofill. The major problem I had was that the finishing tape on one wing shrunk a thousandth or so leaving a very narrow strip of fabric exposed to the sun. I noticed this, but too late, and along almost every rib, the fabric failed. I don't know if this is a characteristic of the process, or not. Before I used AFS, I would check with them. It may have been that the guy who recovered the plane simply did not know what he was doing, and did not shrink the tapes enough, and did not use enough cecofill. The rest of the plane has not had any problems. I punched tested last winter. The other problem with it is that a lot of people don't trust it, and it could affect resale value. I'd like to hear from other forum members on that, especially since I'm thinking of putting my plane on the market.
Finally, cecobond is an awesome glue, but totally immune to solvents or anything else, so if you need to make a repair in which you have to pull off some fabric, be ready for a battle. It took me hours, I mean HOURS, to get the glue off the leading edges of my right wing and my ailerons when I rebuilt them.
Ed@BTV VT TF 527

[taylorcraftbc65]

Blue River Process

My plane is also covered in Blue River, and when I bought it there was a small tear on the left wingtip bow from hanger rash.
I cleaned off the tip with MEK, and not one bit of the paint came off. The glue was also uneffected by the MEK. ( Don't try this with dope finish kids ). I have not seen the problem that you mentioned about the tapes. Perhaps the person who installed the covering goofed. Personally, I would have no problem buying a Blue River covered airplane, as long as the job was done right.
Sabrina

[alwaysoar]

AFS

Sabrina, How did you get the paint and the glue off? I called Tammy at AFS when I was rebuilding my ailerons, and she told me to get one of those big erasers and go at it that way. Right, Tammy! That didn't work either, and I ended up heating with a heat gun to the extent that I could without hurting the aluminum parts. Finally, it came off.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Blue River repairs

I scuffed the paint with 400 grit emory, and glued tape over the tear, which was right on the wood bow, and about 3 inches long. I have since put 5 hours on the plane and several intentional spins in each direction on the plane, and the repair is doing fine.
Sabrina

[jgerard]

I was told to use laquer thinner to soften up the glue when removing fabric.

Remember now kids, the AFS process is new and improved over the Blue River process.

Jason
N43643

[Hank Jarrett]

If you want good service on PolyFiber talk to Jim & Dondi at Aircraft Technical Support, Inc. I have never gotten anything but absolutly first class support from them including custom mixing of paint colors. They have a toll free number at 1-877-877-3334 and seem to always be available to answer questions or help. (they have samples of the original pre-war Taylorcraft Ivory color too).
Hank J

[jgerard]

I love the Poly Fiber stuff too, it realy is a great way to cover an airplane. It's easy to work with, provides pleasing results, but I just don't care much for the hazards involved in using it. Even just gluing on the fabric and brushing in the poly-brush makes me feel sick anymore. That's why I looked into this water borne system.

Jason
N43643

[Hank Jarrett]

I use a two cartridge "Activated Charcoal" solvent respirator that is rated for solvents and acid fumes (that I have had for over 20 years and still works great). Get a GOOD respirator that fits comfortably and keep it clean (in a plastic bag) and it will last forever and stay comfortable. The solvents are nothing to mess with, but a $50 respirator is well worth the investment.
Hank J