fabric repair

H

Helo pilot

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 7, 2020
Messages
65
Location
Florida
On my 2012 SD one of the dollies covering an inspection is coming loose. Does anybody know what fabric glue is currently being used? Thanks
 
Hiperbiper said:
I personally like Polyfiber PolyTac.
Bob and Ed seem to favor a product called Super Seam.

Chris
Click to expand...

I favor whatever the system STC specifies. My aircraft is Ceconite process (dope), so I use Super Seam II. But I would not recommend it for another process. I have heard that PolyTac and Super Seam II are identical, but I cannot attest to that.

ACA uses their own proprietary process now, so I would call them and ask what cement they use and recommend. Or obtain the maintenance manual for that generation, which should have a fabric repair chapter.
 
Poly Fiber apparently owns both processes, and I believe they have officially stated either can be used interchangeably.

I would love to know what ACA has been using. I suspect the top coat is automotive with plasticizers, like Airtek.
 
Bob Turner said:
Poly Fiber apparently owns both processes, and I believe they have officially stated either can be used interchangeably.

I would love to know what ACA has been using. I suspect the top coat is automotive with plasticizers, like Airtek.
Click to expand...

Both processes are owned by Consolidated Aircraft Coatings. Here is what their FAQ's say:

Q: What Cements Can I use with Ceconite?
A: Ceconite New Super Seam is the only PMA'd cement used on the Ceconite STC.
 
That is good glue. What do they coat the fabric with?

Stewarts uses a water-based glue very close to 3M-30N, but it is triple the price.
 
I have their spec somewhere, maybe on my laptop since it isn't here on the family desktop. If I can find it I'll post it.

Rumor has it the Stewart glue and the 3M glue are brothers from the same mother. ;)
 
Cool, great resource Bart!

Which component provides the UV protection for the fabric, to replace the function that silver used to provide? At the factory, Dale mentioned there were UV blockers in the primer ... is that an additive, or a property of the base primer?
 
I don't know. They were sent to me because I was buying the materials and stuff from Chad but I haven't started any fabric work yet. It's next though so ask me again in about two months (hopefully less)! lol
 
Bartman said:
I don't know. They were sent to me because I was buying the materials and stuff from Chad but I haven't started any fabric work yet. It's next though so ask me again in about two months (hopefully less)! lol
Click to expand...
Asking again. Was your timeline too hopeful?

What covering supplies did you buy from ACA? Top coat? Pre-sewn envelopes? Did you price paint from a local PPG dealer?
 
The 3M glue is very popular in the homebuilding crowd so I'm guessing the holding power is plenty good.
 
Big Ed said:
Asking again. Was your timeline too hopeful?

What covering supplies did you buy from ACA? Top coat? Pre-sewn envelopes? Did you price paint from a local PPG dealer?
Click to expand...

Ed,

My instrument panel kicked my ass. luckily most of the time I wasted on it was cold winter time so it didn't affect the project that much but the 2nd go at cutting a panel and then having to waste week after week trying to get the labeling correct for the switches and breakers, it wore me out! It didn't help that I had to spend five weeks in Denver again for training for work.

The headliner is slow going but that's just me being overly cautious with nothing in the way of guidance. It'll be done soon then the fuselage will get a once over to make sure all of the details are correct and then we start with the fabric. I was gluing tissue to balsa with dope back when I was in middle school and my monokote iron and I are close friends so I'm hoping the fabric work will come naturally. Speaking of naturally, naturally I'll be taking and posting photos as I go. :)
 
Be a bit careful - if you choose the 3M glue, you are confined (legally speaking) to the ACA process. You cannot mix and match.

That said, the experimental folk mix and match all the time, usually with excellent results. The 3M glue will not fail under Stitts or dope.
 
If you are buying wings that are going to be painted by the factory, it's my opinion that you're better off using their system on the fuselage/tail so the finish of everything matches. Whatever happens after that is another story but it's nice to know Stewart Systems is out there and certified for repairs of just about any other system.
 
About to start gluing stuff. Can the 3M be used for fabric to metal? Painted surfaces? Vinyl headliner?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top