Do you have any pics to show what your talking about?...I got my Oratex ordered now.BDA wrote:I have regrets
Now that I am putting finishing touches on the plane, I am finding small bits of glue that was “overbrushed” where it didnt need to be, and it has turned yellow, and is very hard to remove.
Next time I use Oratex glue I will be very careful to tape everything like I am painting.
The “extra” glue is hard to see until it turns yellow and hardens.
Mostly on tubing clusters
Oratex is like Yoga Pants
- CanadianSheepHunter
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
I was looking closely at the hinges on the empenage and noticed most of the welds are proud. Is anyone attempting to grind these down for a smoother finish? I am imagining it will show through and be obvious but maybe not a terrible concern because of location....
ny feedback would be greatly appreciated. I should have my fabric in about a month.
ny feedback would be greatly appreciated. I should have my fabric in about a month.
Ed Whitaker
Humble Novice
What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
Humble Novice
What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
I was looking closely at the hinges on the empenage and noticed most of the welds are proud. Is anyone attempting to grind these down for a smoother finish? I am imagining it will show through and be obvious but maybe not a terrible concern because of location....
ny feedback would be greatly appreciated. I should have my fabric in about a month.
ny feedback would be greatly appreciated. I should have my fabric in about a month.
Ed Whitaker
Humble Novice
What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
Humble Novice
What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
- kenryan
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
My recommendation would be to only grind a weld if absolutely necessary, for example to properly fit parts or hardware. Reason: grinding can severely weaken a weld.
Super Stol Kit #299
- Tralika
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
My plane was the my first time covering and painting. Most people tell me it looks great but I see lots of mistakes and things I could have done better. However the welds under the fabric are not obvious even to my overly critical eye. I wouldn't mess with them.
John Nealon
Wasilla, Alaska
Highlander Extreme #191
mykitlog.com/jnealon
Wasilla, Alaska
Highlander Extreme #191
mykitlog.com/jnealon
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
Perhaps rather than messing with the welds, you put SuperFill in the voids and smooth it out that way? That is what I'm doing.
Clark
Clark
Building SuperSTOL Kit 512
Cave Creek, AZ
Cave Creek, AZ
- danerazz
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
I only ground welds to remove sharp edges/spalling that would likely cut the fabric over time. And it was more of a smoothing than a grinding. Mostly was just removing spalling.
I still missed one, on a top longeron. It really pisses me off, 90% sure it will cut through and require a patch, but I doubt anybody else ever sees it.
I still missed one, on a top longeron. It really pisses me off, 90% sure it will cut through and require a patch, but I doubt anybody else ever sees it.
Dane
Paralysis by analysis
#242
Paralysis by analysis
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- SheepdogRD
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
I took the same approach: get rid of the spatter and smooth the hard edges.danerazz wrote:I only ground welds to remove sharp edges/spalling that would likely cut the fabric over time. And it was more of a smoothing than a grinding. Mostly was just removing spalling.
The tapes interrupt any smooth lines, and they draw the eye far more than slight fabric variances. With all the struts and hinges and wires and exposed fasteners, it's a bumpy plane -- a bush plane -- and scars look sorta normal.
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
- BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
If you are using Oratex - a little extra glue on the bumpy spots will fill the holes and smooth the line.
I am a welder and was comfortable with grinding the really lumpy ones - but - do not grind welds on your airplane if you are not very experienced with aircraft welding.
I am a welder and was comfortable with grinding the really lumpy ones - but - do not grind welds on your airplane if you are not very experienced with aircraft welding.
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
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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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
I like the leave it alone recommendation. I paid a lot for a top notch powder coat and the thought of grinding that away is unsettling. Especially at the weld.
I will fill as/if needed.
My order is in so I am hoping to get started soon.
I will fill as/if needed.
My order is in so I am hoping to get started soon.
Ed Whitaker
Humble Novice
What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
Humble Novice
What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
- BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
I finally got around to taking pictures of the extra glue that I was talking about.
Its not a huge deal to remove - but - it is cured on, so when scraping it off, it takes powder coat with it.
A little bit of pre tape would save a whole lot of headache.
Its not a huge deal to remove - but - it is cured on, so when scraping it off, it takes powder coat with it.
A little bit of pre tape would save a whole lot of headache.
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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
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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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
Is anyone using the heat scanner that attaches to the Steinel Heat Gun?
Wondering if it is worth it or not.
Wondering if it is worth it or not.
Ed Whitaker
Humble Novice
What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
Humble Novice
What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
- BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
Looks like It would be handy - especially when first getting used to the temps.
But - Holy Milk Cow!! - $200 - that's a lot for what it does.
I used a $45 dollar heat gun and a $10 thermal gun and did just fine. That setup is $500.
No I haven't used it though. I would be interested to know how fast and how accurate it is when going from one surface to the other.
The only trouble I had with getting temps right was when I went from fabric to fabric adhesion to fabric to tube where the heat sink was MUCH different.
But - Holy Milk Cow!! - $200 - that's a lot for what it does.
I used a $45 dollar heat gun and a $10 thermal gun and did just fine. That setup is $500.
No I haven't used it though. I would be interested to know how fast and how accurate it is when going from one surface to the other.
The only trouble I had with getting temps right was when I went from fabric to fabric adhesion to fabric to tube where the heat sink was MUCH different.
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
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
- BucF16
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
EW, My first Steinal heat gun was right on temp. I used a laser temp sensor from Harbor Freight. The gun worked at the temps advised. But it got a internal short and was temp intermittent ( the fan was fine). So I went to Amazon and bought the new Steinal model. Stupidly i didn't check the temps. I was on the last cover of the fuselage and while final shrinking I burlap(ed) the area around the last wrinkles
The way I checked the temps: I took high temp wood stove paint and dated it on the metal at the front of the gun. Then took the laser and shot the it there.
Good Luck,
Bruce
The way I checked the temps: I took high temp wood stove paint and dated it on the metal at the front of the gun. Then took the laser and shot the it there.
Good Luck,
Bruce
Bruce Johnson Highlander # 393
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
Builder web site:
http://www.bruceshighlander.blogspot.com
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
Builder web site:
http://www.bruceshighlander.blogspot.com
- kenryan
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants
For me the biggest danger was bumping the temp button on the Steinel, boosting the temperature without realizing it. Also, it's easy to let the mind wander while applying heat, need to stay attentive.
Super Stol Kit #299