Oratex is like Yoga Pants

For general discussion of the Just Aircraft family of aircraft.
Includes: Highlander, Escapade, Summit and SuperSTOL.
Post Reply
User avatar
CanadianSheepHunter
Veteran Member
Posts: 678
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:05 pm

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by CanadianSheepHunter »

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
Do you have any pics to show what your talking about?...I got my Oratex ordered now.
EchoWhiskey
Seasoned Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:15 pm

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by EchoWhiskey »

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.
Ed Whitaker
Humble Novice

What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
EchoWhiskey
Seasoned Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:15 pm

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by EchoWhiskey »

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.
Ed Whitaker
Humble Novice

What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
User avatar
kenryan
Veteran Member
Posts: 342
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:46 pm
Location: anchorage, ak

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by kenryan »

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
User avatar
Tralika
Veteran Member
Posts: 385
Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:49 pm
Location: Wasilla Alaska

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by Tralika »

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
Clark in AZ
Veteran Member
Posts: 356
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2015 11:40 am
Location: Cave Creek, AZ

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by Clark in AZ »

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
Building SuperSTOL Kit 512
Cave Creek, AZ
User avatar
danerazz
Veteran Member
Posts: 1240
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:33 pm
Location: Bangor

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by danerazz »

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.
Dane

Paralysis by analysis
#242
User avatar
SheepdogRD
Proprietor
Posts: 930
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 5:41 pm
Location: West of Atlanta, GA

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by SheepdogRD »

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.
I took the same approach: get rid of the spatter and smooth the hard edges.

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.
User avatar
BDA
Veteran Member
Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

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.
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
EchoWhiskey
Seasoned Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:15 pm

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by EchoWhiskey »

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.
Ed Whitaker
Humble Novice

What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
User avatar
BDA
Veteran Member
Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

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.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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
EchoWhiskey
Seasoned Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:15 pm

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by EchoWhiskey »

Is anyone using the heat scanner that attaches to the Steinel Heat Gun?

Wondering if it is worth it or not.
Ed Whitaker
Humble Novice

What do you get when things don't go as planned? Experience.
User avatar
BDA
Veteran Member
Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

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.
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
User avatar
BucF16
Veteran Member
Posts: 463
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:47 am
Location: Alexandria, Ohio

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BucF16 »

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 :oops:

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
User avatar
kenryan
Veteran Member
Posts: 342
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:46 pm
Location: anchorage, ak

Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by kenryan »

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
Post Reply

Return to “Just Aircraft”