Oratex fabric

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Includes: Highlander, Escapade, Summit and SuperSTOL.
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Allan
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Oratex fabric

Post by Allan »

Who is using Oratex fabric and how is it working out? I gather there are some projects on the go for the Superstol that are in build at the moment.

Allan
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Strasnuts
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by Strasnuts »

I plan on using it and should be ordering next week. Trying to figure out colors and how to make a good scheme without painting. Not a lot of colors to pick from and can't figure out how to make one color transition to the next without a lot of overlapping.
moving2time
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by moving2time »

I have also looked into the Oratex product and although I am convinced that they have a superior product I am also concerned about how to create a nice paint scheme. My plan was to spend some time talking to them at Oshkosh this summer so that I understand the options completly. They sell paint for their product but I don't know what kind of selection they have and the material is already quite pricy so adding paint to the system will hurt the products cost per value. The color selection for the covering is quite limited. Definitely interested in hearing what others have done or seen. Joe B
moving2time
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by moving2time »

EAA just released a video of Frank Knapp's homebuilt Lil' Cub that he used to compete in the Valdez STOL competition. Check the video out. It is well done, has a lot of information about landing and taking off short, and near the end he talkes about his experience working with the Oratex fabric. I hope my link works. http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=3081342584001 Joe B
Allan
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by Allan »

I am definitely going to use the Oratex and I have spoken to Lars regarding colour etc. My original intention was to have a mostly grey plane in conventional fabric and UV protection and colour/trim over high wear areas etc. So it is quite easy for me to use the the silver as my "base" colour and trim/paint with readily available colours/paints here in australia. whilst oratex paints maybe very good, shipping paints etc is always a hassle and this allows me to sort my trimming and paint more easily.

Talking with Lars is a good option - skypeing from far away corners around the world is quite remarkable.

Allan
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mhcrowder
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by mhcrowder »

Has anyone talked to Lars to see if he's going to be a Vendor/Exhibitor at Sun n' Fun 2014?

==
Michael
Building Highlander #371
http://highlander371.blogspot.com/
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kenryan
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by kenryan »

Lars will not be at Sun n Fun but he will be at Oshkosh.
Super Stol Kit #299
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mhcrowder
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by mhcrowder »

Ken, Thanks for the update. Work schedule is only allowing me to attend SnF this year. Since there aren't that many airplanes with Oratex out there yet I was hoping to take a look at the fabric. Lars has offered to send me some samples, but as I'm still many many months away from covering, I'd rather wait on samples.

Who knows.....maybe by the time I'm ready there will be some more Oratex color options.

Thanks Again,
Michael
Building Highlander #371
http://highlander371.blogspot.com/
Allan
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by Allan »

Lars arranged for samples for me and glad I got them. Found because the fabric is a bit different the samples started me thinking on some other variation to what I might do.
My plane won't leave the factory until end of this month and it will probably be another couple by the time I get it although already there is much to do. I intend to have as much together as possible to be able to build full time for awhile.................that's a lot harder than it sounds............no doubt as many already know out there!
covergirl
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by covergirl »

Several months ago I became interested in Oratex. Being the lead in Just Air's covering department, I decided that I would try my hand at getting management to investigate this new covering system...failed miserably. They felt there was no time in the production schedule to spend learning this new process. So in my free time I arranged for some samples to be sent to me personally and started teaching myself how this stuff worked at home. I have to admit there's a major learning curve (if you want it to look nice) for those of you who are accustomed to conventional/solvent based covering systems.

Word of my studies got around and I am currently covering a Highlander and a SuperStol with Oratex. I have completed the covering for the SS fuselage using the white fabric after a month of weekends and was surprised at how well it turned out. Of course there are brackets and protrusions that you may want to paint if you choose a fabric color that doesn't match your powder coat but not enough to scare me away.

I also have some Highlander parts covered in silver fabric that are looking really attractive. I'll try to post a pic of those and of the white fuselage sometime soon.

Leila B
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mac
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by mac »

Leila:

Thanks for taking the time to learn about Oratex on your own time. Much appreciated by us out here "in the field". In time, would you mind elaborating just a bit on the "major learning curve" issues? Is it significantly different than say Poly-Fiber or Superflite and maybe a little more like applying the Stewarts system?

Also........if you are contemplating a fairly elaborate paint scheme (3-color, lots of curves and stripes......), maybe this isn't the best choice..............right? Your painter at the factory does some great work. I'm assuming he'll be backing off big time with the Oratex covers.

Thanks again Leila.
Mark M.
N49SS in Phase 2....for good!
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mhcrowder
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by mhcrowder »

This is great news and look forward to seeing pictures and possibly a covered aircraft at the factory. My kit isn't expected to be ready for another 2 months.... But I do plan to go the Oratex covering route.

==
Michael
Building Highlander #371
http://highlander371.blogspot.com/
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Strasnuts
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by Strasnuts »

I received my Oratex for my SS a few days ago. I have powder coated grey parts and frame from Just. My covering will all be red and I also ordered red matched paint from Betteraircraftfabric.com Paul and Lars have been helpful and shipping was quick. The material looks neat and I'm excited to get started. I have a few more details to work out on my SS before covering but I will hopefully start on it soon.
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mhcrowder
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by mhcrowder »

I received an email from Lars at Better Aircraft Fabric that a HiperLite cover with Oratex should be at Sun-n-Fun. Anyone spot it yet?

==
Michael
Building Highlander #371
http://highlander371.blogspot.com/
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mhcrowder
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Re: Oratex fabric

Post by mhcrowder »

I got to see a SuperStol Fuselage at the factory covered in White Oratex. The installation looked extremely well done. I was surprised on how much the tapes stood out. I think reason is two fold. 1. Since you're not painting over the tapes, the edges are crisp and sharp. 2. The Oratex fabric is thin, and when you overlap the tapes over the fabric it changes the color slightly. Kinda like having a different base coat color when painting. Subtle, but noticable.

I'm still on the fence. Wish I could make AirVenture this year and check out all the other colors. If I don't go Oratex, it'll definitely be Stewart.

==
Michael
Building Highlander #371
http://highlander371.blogspot.com/
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