Oratex is like Yoga Pants

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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

Ya
I talked about this in this thread a few pages back.
Lars is saying to fill the crack on each side of longeron with glue.
So I did
Looks terrible untill you put heat on it, heat mostly fixes it.
But why?
Adds alot of uneeded weight
Looks bad
Harder than hell to get off for repair
Adds time to build

Just my opinion - dont do it

Use tape- masking tape, duct tape, caulking, whatever, but dont put glue in there, its like he wants to sell more glue...
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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kenryan
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by kenryan »

I put glue down by the longerons also. Mine looks bad too. Lars says without it, grit will get down there and that grit will telegraph through and be visible from the outside. I don't think it adds much weight, maybe a couple of ounces, but I would not do it next time because it looks bad. Maybe I would do it, but go very lightly with it. Maybe use a syringe with a very small needle so it lays down a very small bead, exactly where you want it.
Last edited by kenryan on Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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SheepdogRD
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by SheepdogRD »

Could we apply glue to the inside after covering, and add a strip of tape to seal the area off?
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BlainS
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BlainS »

So what is the accepted method of finish tape on the vertical stab? 4” tape wrapped around or 2” tape on the side with overlap?
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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

I used 3” if I remember right
The wider it is the harder it is to do the curve to vert.
I ended up cutting and matching the end.

I watched Lars’ video on how to do it, you have to use alot of heat and extra hands, even then its hard to make the edges smooth.

As for the overlap - I cheated the tape to one side a little.

The next time I will run a 2” tape on the overlap side first - then wider tape over the top to make it look even
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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BlainS
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BlainS »

Oratex gotta better of me today. Attempted the transition to vert stab. Tried it per Lars instructions-twice. No joy. Gave up and decided to do it in sections. Problem is there is a buildup of activated glue and it looks like crap under the tape. What can I use to smooth out the glue before another attempt?
Clark in AZ
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by Clark in AZ »

If you are talking about pulling the fabric off and trying again? The only thing I found to work was sandpaper. You've pretty much got to remove all the old glue and then re-apply for it to be smooth. If you are talking about re-applying finishing tape over glue that has been activated? This works for removing dried activated glue...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000 ... UTF8&psc=1

YMMV,

Clark
Last edited by Clark in AZ on Sun Jun 20, 2021 11:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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BlainS
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BlainS »

Clark in AZ wrote:The only thing I found to work was sandpaper. You've pretty much got to remove all the old glue and then re-apply.

YMMV,

Clark
Seems like sanding rubber. What grit did you use?
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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

Razor blade will work with a little heat

OR

More glue, use it to smooth it out
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
Clark in AZ
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by Clark in AZ »

BlainS wrote:
Clark in AZ wrote:The only thing I found to work was sandpaper. You've pretty much got to remove all the old glue and then re-apply.

YMMV,

Clark
Seems like sanding rubber. What grit did you use?
I don't recall exactly. Whatever works? Start with 100 grit. It's a lot of work to get it smooth again...
Building SuperSTOL Kit 512
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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

Oratex Oxidation on Silver

Someone was asking if Oratex weathers well.

I would say yes, but here is a picture of plane after scrubbing with soap then alcohol for decal aplication.

It is oxidation - not dust.

The oxidation does come off, but it takes a little elbow grease.

- Just to the right of the red decal...

- plane was parked outside for 6 months
Then hangered for 6 months
Fabric has been on plane for 18 months
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SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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BlainS
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BlainS »

Ready to cover vert and horizontal stabs. Do we glue fabric to the bracing ribs or leave it loose? Since the tubes are a smaller diameter it looks like it shouldn’t be glued. And no, I didn’t upgrade to the flying tail. Factory flat surfaces. Probably regret it later....... :?
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BDA
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by BDA »

Dont put glue on smaller dia tubes

If you put glue on ribs dont heat until after shrinking fabric

And you can always add your own foam airfoil ribs
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
mark
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by mark »

I am looking for some help I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a covering process for my Highlander and I am torn between Oratex and a conventional process such as Super Fight. my question: if you were to build another airplane would you again choose Oratex?? If not, why not?
mark
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Re: Oratex is like Yoga Pants

Post by mark »

I am looking for some help I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a covering process for my Highlander and I am torn between Oratex and a conventional process such as Super Fight. my question: if you were to build another airplane would you again choose Oratex?? If not, why not?
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