Oratex is like Yoga Pants

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kenryan
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by kenryan »

In my opinion, the silver (which I used) is not at all translucent. Same goes for a Blue Carbon Cub that I saw. In other words, it depends on the color. Not sure about the other colors. Get a sample. As for different shades from different runs, I have talked to Lars about that. It has been a problem in the past, but they have improved their machinery and process so it's pretty much taken care of. If you did happen to get colors that don't match (which I think is quite unlikely now) just tell Lars before you apply it. He will make it right.

If you want the lightest, toughest solution, go for the Oratex. I think it looks great. Like anything, how good it looks will depend upon how much care you take in applying it.
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moving2time
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by moving2time »

These photos demonstrate what I believe that a friend of mine was trying to explain. Apparently, as mentioned in the previous post, it will depend on the color selected. Oratex is definitely a tough product but that yellow is not very good looking and yellow was going to be one of my choices. The other would be blue. There is a SS in Alaska that flew last year or so and posted a bunch of really nice photos. I don't know for sure but that SS looked like it could be covered with Oratex and it looked very nice in the photos. With that kind of translucence your craftmanship would need to be perfect or the sun would show every error. Joe B
AV8R Paul
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by AV8R Paul »

Here is the another photo of the SuperSTOL that was in Valdez. You wouldn’t need a flashlight to look for something!
E2CB6FE6-E141-4175-A926-53021FA2D882.jpeg
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AV8R Paul
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SheepdogRD
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by SheepdogRD »

There are two weights of Oratex. That yellow SS is probably covered in the Oratex 600, which is lighter in weight and more translucent than Oratex 6000.

Like BDA, we went with Oratex 6000 in silver, and I agree with him: it's absolutely opaque.
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation

If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
TD1
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by TD1 »

Was going to note,there is the 600 (rated to 1320 gross, Light Sport) and the heavier 6000.

I don't know which weight they used in that build.... but looking at that build my impression is every trick possible was used to cut every oz. It would not surprise me if it were the 600 weight. Pics I've seen of yellow 6000 Oratex do not look nearly as translucent.

Oratex is very, even ultra light weight in comparison to other systems, while being arguably stronger/tougher as well. The 600 even lighter yet.
Tom Dougherty
Kahului, HI
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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

Has anyone had trouble with Oratex / glue peeling off of Aluminum??

Lars told me to MAKE SURE TO "ALODINE" or "convert" before gluing.

Well that's something else that I am not very good at - different shades of tan means different levels of conversion I assume - so how much is enough?
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BucF16
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BucF16 »

BDA wrote:Has anyone had trouble with Oratex / glue peeling off of Aluminum??

Lars told me to MAKE SURE TO "ALODINE" or "convert" before gluing.

Well that's something else that I am not very good at - different shades of tan means different levels of conversion I assume - so how much is enough?
Hi BDA, I pulled the trigger On Oratex for my Highlander yesterday. Joe told me that wood needed varnished and aluminum needed "Primed"; For me , the AL is just the leading and trailing edges of the wing. and trailing edges of the aileron/flaps.

"convert"? What is that? I'm a bit slow :shock:
Bruce
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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

I am not a painter - at all, so I spoke to every painter I knew about aluminum corrosion and paint adhesion, and every one of them told me to "alodine" the aluminum before primer - or glue.

Alodine being a brand name for acid etch and chromium conversion.

So I you tubed it of course:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHePtG9LtIU
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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BucF16
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BucF16 »

Thanks, I'm a bit sharper! Since I'm about 4 Months behind you, I'm very appreciative of your posts.

Bruce
Bruce Johnson Highlander # 393
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

If I do it again, I will etch and paint all aluminum (that needs to be) to start with. Trying to get to everything after assembly is stupid.

I am torn about what to do with the wing assemblies. I need to etch and convert the leading and trailing edges for glue - but not sure what I am going to do with the spars - not supposed to Alodine those from what I have read.

so they cant be painted??

I will use the Boeshield fog I guess - don't like the idea of waxy buildup.

We are always wet here, and near salt water all the time - aluminum must be coated.

What does everyone else do about the spars?
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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SheepdogRD
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by SheepdogRD »

If you decide to prime, rather than alodine, remember that zinc chromate primer works, but zinc phosphate does not work (per Better Aircraft Fabric). Most rattle-can primer is zinc phospate.

You can get PTI zinc chromate in aerosol cans from Aircraft Spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/c ... kkey=17411. Green is p/n 09-00895, and yellow is p/n 09-00901. They have shelf life of 6 months.
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation

If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
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danerazz
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by danerazz »

SheepdogRD wrote:If you decide to prime, rather than alodine, remember that zinc chromate primer works, but zinc phosphate does not work (per Better Aircraft Fabric). Most rattle-can primer is zinc phospate.

You can get PTI zinc chromate in aerosol cans from Aircraft Spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/c ... kkey=17411. Green is p/n 09-00895, and yellow is p/n 09-00901. They have shelf life of 6 months.

But be careful, zinc chromate is nasty to breathe.
Dane

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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

8874BC9F-E0E6-4F1A-87EB-26A6AA12DF84.jpeg
Fuselage fabric

10 hours to do half the fuselage - but 3 was fixing mistakes

Not perfect - but I am very happy with it - being my first cover job

The stretch around the compound curve was much easier than I expected.
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SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

New Lift handles

Removable for easier covering

I cut off the factory handle and welded new ones on both sides on the bottom longeron to make it easier to lift in deep snow.

Used 1/2” heavy wall tube for the stud, the 5/8” handle fits over it nice and snug.
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SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
AV8R Paul
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by AV8R Paul »

BDA,

Making my plane easier to lift in Deep Snow, is not something I have to worry about here in Texas. :lol:

AV8R Paul
BDA wrote:New Lift handles

Removable for easier covering

I cut off the factory handle and welded new ones on both sides on the bottom longeron to make it easier to lift in deep snow.

Used 1/2” heavy wall tube for the stud, the 5/8” handle fits over it nice and snug.
AV8R Paul
Certified Light Sport Repairman LSRM-A
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