Here is a more radical solution for you. I have a Maule and just recovered.
However, there are mod's available to metalize the belly. I took a quick
look at the Champion website and saw that a metal belly is an option for
$1100 on a new one. Therefore there might be an STC that could apply. You
could eliminate the fabric all together.

Now, having said that. When I get into my Maule which is a 1980 and took the
fabric off I was glad I did. numerous things that I was glad to fix.
corrosion on some tubing and window frames. The wooden stringers we about
rotted away in spots or really warped --- replaced them with metal stringers
while I was at it.

If you have an envelope I think you will need to cut the bottom away leaving
enough to glue the remaining material off to the bottom longerons. If you
don't have good fabric for this you are in trouble.

If you can get away with a few more years doing something with the bottom --
fabric or metal it MIGHT save you some cash now. But when you finally
recover -- do the whole airplane and take it down to the metal all around.
You'll be happy you did when you see the typical problems you probably
already have lurking below the surface.

Tom

"Ed" wrote in message
. com...

Thanks Craig. We had a confab today with my partner, the shop IA, the
shop
fabric guy, and another IA with many years of experience on Decathlons.
The
collective decision is to put off the recover by trying to clean the belly
fabric and repaint it. Failing that, we are going to re-skin the belly
only.

I'm still of the opinion that recovering the fuselage would be better, but
that will have to wait a few years.


Food for though.....

Craig C.