vinyl wrap

On Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 8:22:12 PM UTC-4, Andrzej Kobus wrote:
On Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 7:59:11 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Greetings all, I was wondering if anyone here has any information or experience with vinyl wraps for wings, control surfaces, fuselage on sailplanes, It seems that this product would be pretty easy to use on ailerons, elevators and rudders and would be insignificant weight gains. Iknow that it is used in aviation. I think that the biggest issue may be static electricity and any drag resulting from dust adhered to surface of the wing due to static electricity

I would not even think about putting any wrap on control surfaces. The weight is not insignificant for control surfaces.

Concordia used film finish on control surfaces for weight saving.
That said just putting over old cracked gelcoat would be a poor decision.
UH

Monokote or similar?

That said just putting over old cracked gelcoat would be a poor decision.
UH

Why? Not challenging what you say, UH, just want to understand what the issues would be. I can guess some, but I would love to hear yours, much more of an experience base than mine....

Cheers,
J6

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 6:25:51 PM UTC-4, wrote:
That said just putting over old cracked gelcoat would be a poor decision.
UH

Why? Not challenging what you say, UH, just want to understand what the issues would be. I can guess some, but I would love to hear yours, much more of an experience base than mine....

Cheers,
J6

1- Unless enough of the existing finish is removed, there likely will be mass balance issues.
2- If failing finish is not removed, the failure of the finish will continue. It is cracking because it is old and brittle and shrinking.
3- Crappy under surface will almost certainly show through unless sanded smooth and flat.
"There has to be an easier way".
UH

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 5:58:58 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 6:25:51 PM UTC-4, wrote:
That said just putting over old cracked gelcoat would be a poor decision.
UH

Why? Not challenging what you say, UH, just want to understand what the issues would be. I can guess some, but I would love to hear yours, much more of an experience base than mine....

Cheers,
J6

1- Unless enough of the existing finish is removed, there likely will be mass balance issues.
2- If failing finish is not removed, the failure of the finish will continue. It is cracking because it is old and brittle and shrinking.
3- Crappy under surface will almost certainly show through unless sanded smooth and flat.
"There has to be an easier way".
UH

Also, How would a cosmetically flawless Wrap be perceived by an inspector, or a potential buyer?
In this world you can have Good, Fast, Cheap, Pick any two.
Scott

On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 7:37:24 PM UTC-4, Scott Williams wrote:
On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 5:58:58 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Friday, October 5, 2018 at 6:25:51 PM UTC-4, wrote:
That said just putting over old cracked gelcoat would be a poor decision.
UH

Why? Not challenging what you say, UH, just want to understand what the issues would be. I can guess some, but I would love to hear yours, much more of an experience base than mine....

Cheers,
J6

1- Unless enough of the existing finish is removed, there likely will be mass balance issues.
2- If failing finish is not removed, the failure of the finish will continue. It is cracking because it is old and brittle and shrinking.
3- Crappy under surface will almost certainly show through unless sanded smooth and flat.
"There has to be an easier way".
UH

Also, How would a cosmetically flawless Wrap be perceived by an inspector, or a potential buyer?
In this world you can have Good, Fast, Cheap, Pick any two.
Scott

I once knew a glider pilot that was good, fast and cheap...

T8

Tango Eight wrote on 10/5/2018 5:33 PM:

I once knew a glider pilot that was good, fast and cheap...

We all dream of it, but few achieve it.


--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Dec 2014a" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm

http://soaringsafety.org/prevention/...anes-2014A.pdf

And his wings were heavy because of it...ask me how I know. Ha

E