Leading Edge Cuff

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rpigeek
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Leading Edge Cuff

Post by rpigeek »

I'm looking for ideas or feedback on addressing an issue I'm having with my Leading Edge Cuff. The original owner used silicone to secure the Leading Edge Cuff to the Leading Edge and then covered the leading edge with vinyl. However, it had a little bit of an air gap between the cuff and leading edge that caused the vinyl to break when hit with rain droplets (take a look at the following photo).

Image

My current plan is to fill in the gap better with some Silicone RTV so that when I put the vinyl back on it doesn't have this gap. Any better ideas? Here's an example of where I filled the gap better with some Loctite marine sealant.

Image
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BucF16
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by BucF16 »

On the first Pic is that to vinyl that broke and peeled? I like what you are doing in the lower pic. I'd like to add that the media that underlies any covering process that affixes directly, will show every imperfection. Reference the "Oratex is like Yoga pants" thread. :wink:

Good Luck

Bruce
Bruce Johnson Highlander # 393
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
Builder web site:
http://www.bruceshighlander.blogspot.com
rpigeek
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by rpigeek »

Yah, the first pic is where it had an air gap and the rain broke through it. The 2nd pic is trying to put on some smooth sealant to bridge the gap. I'm going to try and smooth it out with a straight edge so that it doesn't show through so bumpy.
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BDA
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by BDA »

I think I would try wrapping it with Oratex.
No gap and no sealant to worry about.
And no paint.
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
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AV8R Paul
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by AV8R Paul »

I concur!
BDA wrote:I think I would try wrapping it with Oratex.
No gap and no sealant to worry about.
And no paint.
AV8R Paul
Certified Light Sport Repairman LSRM-A
moving2time
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by moving2time »

I think that the problem is with the sealant that you used. The paints that are used on the fabric covering system are clearly not compatible with the sealant that you used. The best think you can do now is clean it up as best as you can and warp it with fabric over the joint or use Oratex as suggested. Both will show any ridges or wave that exists in the sealant. What was the sealant that you used? Looks like some kind of silicone.
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BucF16
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by BucF16 »

E Z grip light weight body filler is what the factory uses. Oratex hotmelt glue will stick to that.
Good luck.
Bruce Johnson Highlander # 393
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
Builder web site:
http://www.bruceshighlander.blogspot.com
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SheepdogRD
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by SheepdogRD »

I suspect that replacing the silicone with filler will save weight, too.
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation

If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
rpigeek
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by rpigeek »

I did go back with Silicone as it was already there as I didn't want to clean it off and redo the wings. I'm not happy with the vinyl, but it's ok for now. At some point I may redo the wings and blend in the cuff better. I also want to install a different pitot/AOA at some point, so that would be a good time to do it.
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Tralika
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by Tralika »

I spoke to Steve Henry about the leading edge cuffs at Sun N Fun last month. He said when he did the test flights he attached the cuffs to the leading edge with tape, I think he said he used black electricians tape. In any case you don't need a lot of adhesive on the cuffs because they pretty much want to stay on there. He also said to use body filler to eliminate the gap or abrupt edge between the cuff and leading edge of the wing. I understand your stuck with the silicone applied by the previous owner. There's no telling if body filler would even stick to the existing silicone.

How wide is the vinyl used to cover the cuff?
John Nealon
Wasilla, Alaska
Highlander Extreme #191
mykitlog.com/jnealon
rpigeek
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by rpigeek »

Yah, I was afraid of the trouble the silicone would cause trying to use body filler. Sort of stuck with it unless I want to refinish a lot of the wing.

The vinyl I think were 5” strips I had a shop cut. I should have hired someone used to wrapping cars as I have some wrinkles.
taildrgfun
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by taildrgfun »

When you are using the LE cuff you really need to get your VG's as close to the cuff as you can get them. Where you have them is a good place for them with no cuff but they are nearly useless there with the cuff on. The cuff- VG combination worked much better for me when I moved the VG's just behind the cuff.
Steve Henry, Wild West Aircraft
(the Dead Stick Take-off Guy)
Keye
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by Keye »

Picture?
taildrgfun
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by taildrgfun »

Every time I try to put on the picture it says it’s too big
Steve Henry, Wild West Aircraft
(the Dead Stick Take-off Guy)
AV8R Paul
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Re: Leading Edge Cuff

Post by AV8R Paul »

Edit it and reduce the size. I just had the same problem posting two picture. I had taken them with my iPhone. So I sent them to myself again and told it to send a Medium size file 99.4 KB. The site does not accept Full Size Photo of 2.2 MB
AV8R Paul
Certified Light Sport Repairman LSRM-A
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