Materials sources

Big Ed

Big Ed

N50247 - '79 Super D
Joined
Jul 20, 2020
Messages
1,938
Location
Tampa, FL
Inching ever closer to recovering the fuselage while my engine is off. Starting to think through the process of ordering materials so everything is on hand.

I have heard numerous discussions of products from various sources such as ACA, Rainbow, AirTex, and Spruce. So what are the best sources for the big ticket items such as:
  • Wood formers and stringers
  • Headliner
  • Fabric envelopes and blankets
  • Cables, pulleys, hardware
  • Paint products
  • Plexiglass
I'm thinking factory for the cables and hardware. Probably for the formers and stringers as well. Should I just order everything I can from the factory?

What big things am I missing from this list?
 
Bumpity.

Best source for headliner that fits with minimal fuss?

Best source for pre-sewn Ceconite envelopes?
 
I am currently fitting my headliner from Airtex. I suppose it fits well enough but there are no directions so it's been like feeling my way along with the lights out. When it's done I've got a thread that goes through the steps of completing the upper cabin area and installing the headliner so you'll at least have that to help you.

Formers, stringers and upper cabin framework from ACA, no question about it. They also have a new ground plane piece that fits over the cabin just aft of the rear spar carry-through tube. That leaves the old one (formerly the beacon mount) for a GPS antenna mount.

I reused my pulleys but also got all new cables from ACA.

For fabric I bought the sides stitched together from ACA which just leaves the bottom to be done from a length of fabric which ought to be easy enough. Bought the fabric and all little doo dads for the fuselage/tail fabric work from ACA. Bought a gallon of adhesive from Amazon.

We're very fortunate as a community of owners to have ACA functioning at such a high level and selling parts at reasonable prices so I try to buy everything I can from them. If I pay a little more for something it is more than fair given all of the tech support I've received from Dale/Chad/Pat.

Bart
 
Bartman said:
I am currently fitting my headliner from Airtex. I suppose it fits well enough but there are no directions so it's been like feeling my way along with the lights out. When it's done I've got a thread that goes through the steps of completing the upper cabin area and installing the headliner so you'll at least have that to help you.


Bart
Click to expand...

looking forward to that thread. I had to cut my headliner to fit my shoulder harnesses. I patched it and I suppose it looks ok, but a whole-headliner replacement sure would be nice.
 
ehaecker said:
looking forward to that thread. I had to cut my headliner to fit my shoulder harnesses. I patched it and I suppose it looks ok, but a whole-headliner replacement sure would be nice.
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there's an unlisted subforum for drafting new threads, the start of the thread is

Greenhouse/Headliner/Fabric Coordination

There have been a few threads here and elsewhere asking about how the installation of the greenhouse panel, the headliner, and the exterior fabric should be coordinated. I'm at that point in my project so it seemed like a good idea to take photos along the way and post them here as a guide for...
champcitabriadecathlonforums.com champcitabriadecathlonforums.com

it won't be of much help though if you're going to do the headliner with the fabric still on the plane. That is more difficult, and some will say you can't do it, but it's been done and it looks fine if it's done well.
 
Do not order headliner from Spruce I had to send it back twice and then ordered from airtex, next suggestion is get a wool one that after fitting can be shrunk to fit a little tighter. Mine is vinyl and after many hours I settled for how it looks wish it was a little tighter fit. Next depending on the materials, glue, paint and such some have a shelf life I used Stwarts system and I’m thinking the paint only has a 1 or 2 year shelf life (yes my project is in the third year) long story. But some glue dried up so order as needed. On the floor boards and wood parts they all received several coats of sealer because I wanted to. My experience has been if you think it will take 40 to do something -headliner plan on more like 60
Again post lots of pictures not just for us but your reference as well before, during, and after.
 
Agree - Stewarts has a short shelf life. Think in terms of one year to be safe - two might be max.
 
I’ve sprayed the Stewart’s after the 2 year mark and was fine I believe the time limit is in case it becomes unmixed and truth is it was my fault it took me so long to use it, hence recommending waiting to order.
 
If they do, they are probably getting them from Flightline Interiors. Flightline has stopped taking orders as they were previously quoting a ten month backlog. You can try pulling the email address from their website and sending an email to Abby, she might tell you something different.

The vinyl Airtex I'm installing is pretty nice but it's got to go in in the right order.
 
Bartman said:
If they do, they are probably getting them from Flightline Interiors. Flightline has stopped taking orders as they were previously quoting a ten month backlog. You can try pulling the email address from their website and sending an email to Abby, she might tell you something different.

The vinyl Airtex I'm installing is pretty nice but it's got to go in in the right order.
Click to expand...
I'll start with Airtex then. They kinda agitate me with their clunky ordering system.
 
Yeah, that is incredibly helpful!

What kind of staples did you use? My old one looks like it uses copper or brass.
 
About to pull the trigger on a headliner from Airtex. Factory uses vinyl. Any thoughts on wool? I have never seen one.
 
Wool is kinda cool, not sure if moths will eat holes in it though. I bought a gray wool one originally but sold it to a member and went with vinyl. the wool is also harder to glue where it needs to be glued because the wet contact cement will soak through it. not sure what the fix it to avoid that.
 
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