Ceconite Wings Question

I found some fabric planes when I was shopping that needed to be
recovered. I was told by two different shops to figure 20-25k. It's
not the material, it the labor. One other thing to consider - try to
use a shop that does not use presewn envelopes. The seams stand proud.
A good shop simply stocks fabric on the roll and doesn't need or
benefit from using envelopes.

Ever see old furniture that sat near a window? The fabric gets dry and
tears easily. Furniture stored away from sunlight isn't faded and
remains pliable. Similar problem with fabric. UV is the killer.

As far as planes being designed with the intention of ripping it apart
every ten years for inspection, I've heard that too but I think that's
nonsense. Does anyone believe that somebody would design a part to last
ten years? The structure of the airplane is designed for the stress
the airframe will be subjected too.

One advantage of fabric - it doesn't dent.

Montblack wrote:
("dave" wrote)

I've heard that too but more like twenty years. If I needed to inspect
every little nook and crany of a fabric covered airplane every ten years
then why not a metal covered one?



I was thinking that too - I'm whimsically looking at a 1946 Ercoupe, which is
going up
for auction this Saturday (16th). There's a beaten up Cessna 140 there also.
Pole barn projects that are soon to be someone else's problem ... I mean
project. Both are planes that will need much time and much money thrown their
way before they get in the air again.

What Kyle was saying about costs - What's a guess on the material cost (only)
for redoing a fabric covered airplane? How much of that college tuition level
price tag is material vs. labor?


Montblack

I was thinking that too - I'm whimsically looking at a 1946 Ercoupe, which
is
going up
for auction this Saturday (16th).

I recovered a set of Ercoupe wings a couple of years back. Total cost for
materials using the Poly-Fiber system was a little over $1000, including
everything spent for metal work and finish coats.

Cheers:
Paul

john smith wrote in message .. .
One theory is to not go more than ten years without recovering.
The theory being that after that much time exposed to the elements, you
would want to strip everything off to thoroughly inspect the airframe
for corrosion.

dave wrote:
My citabria was covered ten years ago with ceconite. The fabric is
perfect. The white paint is okay, the red has faded. It's now
hangered so I expect to get a lot more life out of it. Most people
I've spoke to prior to buying my plane said twenty years for a well done
fabric job that's taken care of. I've seen nearly new american
champion citabrias with cracked paint. A friend has a piper colt that
was covered with ceconite 25 years ago but always hangered. It's like new.

You really have to get it checked by an A&P that works on fabric airplanes.

Dave
68 7ECA

I'm far from an expert on this, but I'll add a couple of things I've
heard, plus second what Dave said w.r.t. checking with an A&P that
does fabric work.

Ceconite uses non-tautening Butrate dope (not quite the same stuff
that is
used with cotton). Over time the plasticizer will leach out, resulting
in the
dope getting brittle and starting to crack. This can be remedied by
using a
"dope rejuvenator", if done soon enough. The only thing that damages
the fabric,
(short of hail or fire) is UV light. The silver dope protects it, but
cracks in
the dope can let the UV through.

Most fabric covered aircraft were designed when Cotton was the best
covering
available, and it lasted 10 years, at most. As such, the engineers
assumed the
underlying structure would be examined/repaired at least every 10
years. Some
aircraft now have a lot more inspection holes in the wing fabric than
they
would have had when they left the factory, to try and inspect the
internal
structure. Whether the internal structure is wood or metal is also a
consideration. (Inspecting wood with a flashlight and mirror on a
stick is
a specialized skill that not all A&Ps will have.)

Just what I've been told, rick

The bottom line, is you don't know.
If it is a modern job with quality paint that will hold up to the UV,
20 years. More if you hangar it. But after 20 years, there may be
enough dings to consider recover. It varies a LOT. Outside, if in the
shade or a climate that is cloudy, I have seen 20 years. But in
Arizona sun, you'd be lucky to get 10.

Conventional wisdom gives a TBO of 20 years, on fabric.
If you hangar it, indefinitely. But again, you might ding it and patch
it.

I have the newer polyurethane on my hangared Husky, it is a 1996 and
NO sign of ANY degradation. I have three signifigant dings (all
repaired to airworthy). Should make 20 years. But who knows for sure.
I guess we should make an fabric reserve of $1000 a year for a 20k
refinish. But it costs nearly that to paint aluminum, so there is not
much difference.

(Captain Wubba) wrote in message . com...
Hello. I'm considering purchasing a plane that has Ceconite wings.
They were recovered last year professionally, and according to an A&P
I asked to have a quick look, were done well and correctly, and have a
UV protectant. My question is the following: I don't have access to a
hanger. This plane would be exposed to the elements in the Midwest.
How long could I expect to fly this plane before the Ceconite would
need replacement? Is there an average 'lifespan' for this type of wing
covering if exposed to the elements?

Thanks,

Cap