On Thu, 12 Jan 2006 23:07:40 -0600, "Highflyer" wrote:


"pbc76049" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
ups.com...

Lou wrote:
Is Ceconite and Peel Ply the same thing?
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Yes. You may also use generic '100% polyester' or 'Dacron' (DuPont's
brand name for 100% polyester fabric). Select the fabric weight
according to the 'tooth' required; the lighter the weight of the
fabric, the finer the weave. Most use the heavy (3.7oz) fabric for
peel-ply on hand lay-ups but there are literally hundreds of different
weaves/weights available and anything other than knits will serve as
peel-ply. If vacuum bagging be careful not to use too light a
peel-ply. When completely encapsulated in resin 1.8oz dacron often
tears rather than peeling.

Some shops reuse their strips of peel-ply but when making sections of
leading edge I got better results using a new strip for each lay-up.

-R.S.Hoover


There is a downside to what you are saying. Ceconite has surfactants and
"sizing" on it that has the potential to react badly with vinylester
resins. This stuff
isn't found on BARE CLOTH. Mr Hoover will is absolutely correct about
untreated polyester fabric, but I find that branded cloth isn't really a
good idea
as I have had problems with secondary bonds using Ceconite. YMMV.


Ceconite is also considerably more expensive than 100% polyester fabric from
your local fabric store. The main difference between polyester fabric for
aircraft covering and polyester fabric for sewing clothing is the final
heated calendar rolls in the process where they preshrink the clothing
fabric so that your clothes won't get six sizes smaller when you iron them!
:-) Both Ceconite and Polyfiber fabric made for the Stits process do have
surfactants to promote adhesion with the initial coat of dope or polybrush
as the case may be. Neither adheres very well to polyester fabric. Nothing
adheres very well to polyester fabric, although I have found that dirty
motor oil from the belly of my Stinson Reliant adheres better than anything
else I have found.

I use the Polyester fabrics from the local fabric shop rather than
purchasing peel ply.

I use it in a number of weights and have found that I can pick a
selection of fabrics that can go from a very rough surface (coarse
weave) to almost smooth (fine weave), but going to extremes in either
direction can produce a fabric that won't easily let go if at all, or
one that tears easily.

part way down on
http://www.rogerhalstead.com/G3_file.../glasair11.htm shows
the results of a medium weave which is the one I use most often. It's
also a great way to "wick off" excess resin.

In the wing root attach area I used a very coarse weave which leaves a
very rough surface which gives very strong bonds.


Looks like I'm going to have to purchase a new set of elevator hinges
though. I've darn near worn the originals out just fitting the things
together.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

Highflyer
Highflight Aviation Services
Pinckneyville Airport ( PJY )