Re: Fuselage covering

George Sands · Post by **George Sands** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:33 pm

'Hi all,
This weekend I'm going to start covering the fuselage of an F-24. I have plenty experience covering wings, rudders, ailerons etc., but this is my first fuselage. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
But I do have a question. Should I dry fit the envelope first, remove it and then prep the airframe (epoxy, poly-brush) or is it best to prep first and then fit the envelope just the one time?
George Sands

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]'

David Stroud · Post by **David Stroud** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:32 pm

'Giday, George. Do it the All American way. Follow the instructions of your covering
supplier and no one else. That way if anything goes wrong you can sue them and
the lawyers won't have to far to go.

David Stroud Ottawa, Canada
Christavia C-FDWS
Fairchild 51 replica
under construction C-FYXV

----- Original Message -----
From: George Sands
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 7:33 PM
Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

Hi all,
This weekend I'm going to start covering the fuselage of an F-24. I have plenty experience covering wings, rudders, ailerons etc., but this is my first fuselage. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
But I do have a question. Should I dry fit the envelope first, remove it and then prep the airframe (epoxy, poly-brush) or is it best to prep first and then fit the envelope just the one time?
George Sands

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.12.21/2104 - Release Date: 05/08/09 06:34:00

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

Jay Thomson · Post by **Jay Thomson** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:00 pm

'I too have done a lot of covering. If I were doing that job I would prep the airframe first then put the covering on only one time. However, I would NOT cover the airframe with an envelope, specially if you want a nice professional looking job with straight seams. That's just me, hope I didn't offend you! ;>)

--- On Fri, 5/8/09, DAVID STROUD wrote:

From: DAVID STROUD
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, May 8, 2009, 7:32 PM

Giday, George. Do it the All American way. Follow the instructions of your covering
supplier and no one else. That way if anything goes wrong you can sue them and
the lawyers won't have to far to go.

David Stroud Ottawa, Canada
Christavia C-FDWS
Fairchild 51 replica
under construction C-FYXV

----- Original Message -----
From: George Sands
To: fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 7:33 PM
Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

Hi all,
This weekend I'm going to start covering the fuselage of an F-24. I have plenty experience covering wings, rudders, ailerons etc., but this is my first fuselage. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
But I do have a question. Should I dry fit the envelope first, remove it and then prep the airframe (epoxy, poly-brush) or is it best to prep first and then fit the envelope just the one time?
George Sands

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.12.21/2104 - Release Date: 05/08/09 06:34:00

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

Bob Etter · Post by **Bob Etter** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:03 am

'Have fun. All that I can say is to take a really good look at the fuselage and try to catch the things that you have forgotten.

If you have stringers that don't have an even progression/spread, believe me, you will hate yourself for not catching it before you covered them. I reinforced curvature of the top center stringer, just above the rear hat spar carry-thru. All too many time, I've seen a knot where it has cracked. Where fabric contacts metal, I used epoxy primer, I didn't see any problems otherwise. All of the wood/balsa had a couple of good coat of varnish. I would go into fabric, but I am really old school in many ways. I went with Grade A.

Robert Etter
PO Box 974
Tonopah, NV
89049
Tele. 775.482.6820
Cell 702.265.6906

----- Original Message -----
From: George Sands
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 4:33 PM
Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

Hi all,
This weekend I'm going to start covering the fuselage of an F-24. I have plenty experience covering wings, rudders, ailerons etc., but this is my first fuselage. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
But I do have a question. Should I dry fit the envelope first, remove it and then prep the airframe (epoxy, poly-brush) or is it best to prep first and then fit the envelope just the one time?
George Sands

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

George Sands · Post by **George Sands** » Sat May 09, 2009 6:19 pm

'No offense taken. The envelope was provided, my preference would have been blankets.

--- On Fri, 5/8/09, Jay Thomson wrote:

From: Jay Thomson
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, May 8, 2009, 8:59 PM

I too have done a lot of covering. If I were doing that job I would prep the airframe first then put the covering on only one time. However, I would NOT cover the airframe with an envelope, specially if you want a nice professional looking job with straight seams. That's just me, hope I didn't offend you! ;>)

--- On Fri, 5/8/09, DAVID STROUD wrote:

From: DAVID STROUD

Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

To: fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com

Date: Friday, May 8, 2009, 7:32 PM

Giday, George. Do it the All American way. Follow the instructions of your covering

supplier and no one else. That way if anything goes wrong you can sue them and

the lawyers won't have to far to go.

David Stroud Ottawa, Canada

Christavia C-FDWS

Fairchild 51 replica

under construction C-FYXV

----- Original Message -----

From: George Sands

To: fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 7:33 PM

Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

Hi all,

This weekend I'm going to start covering the fuselage of an F-24. I have plenty experience covering wings, rudders, ailerons etc., but this is my first fuselage. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

But I do have a question. Should I dry fit the envelope first, remove it and then prep the airframe (epoxy, poly-brush) or is it best to prep first and then fit the envelope just the one time?

George Sands

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.12.21/2104 - Release Date: 05/08/09 06:34:00

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

George Sands · Post by **George Sands** » Sat May 09, 2009 6:22 pm

'Bob,
Thanks. As I'm prepping I'll keep an eye out for that.

--- On Sat, 5/9/09, Bob Etter wrote:

From: Bob Etter
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 9:01 AM

Have fun. All that I can say is to take a really good look at the fuselage and try to catch the things that you have forgotten.

If you have stringers that don't have an even progression/ spread, believe me, you will hate yourself for not catching it before you covered them. I reinforced curvature of the top center stringer, just above the rear hat spar carry-thru. All too many time, I've seen a knot where it has cracked. Where fabric contacts metal, I used epoxy primer, I didn't see any problems otherwise. All of the wood/balsa had a couple of good coat of varnish. I would go into fabric, but I am really old school in many ways. I went with Grade A.

Robert Etter

PO Box 974

Tonopah, NV

89049

Tele. 775.482.6820

Cell 702.265.6906

----- Original Message -----

From: George Sands

To: fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 4:33 PM

Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

Hi all,

This weekend I'm going to start covering the fuselage of an F-24. I have plenty experience covering wings, rudders, ailerons etc., but this is my first fuselage. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

But I do have a question. Should I dry fit the envelope first, remove it and then prep the airframe (epoxy, poly-brush) or is it best to prep first and then fit the envelope just the one time?

George Sands

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

David Stroud · Post by **David Stroud** » Sat May 09, 2009 6:28 pm

'While prepping, you can stretch a few wraps of plastic wrap or something similar to test
your fairing/ smoothness of convex or concave shapes etc. Something that is not obvious
to your eye with a naked fuselage can be easily detected with some temporary wraps and
a second or third set of eyes from different angles can be a big help. You've invested a lot
already....don't skimp on the last minute stuff....one little bump overlooked will last you a
lifetime.

David Stroud Ottawa, Canada
Christavia C-FDWS
Fairchild 51 replica
under construction C-FYXV

----- Original Message -----
From: George Sands
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, May 09, 2009 8:21 PM
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

Bob,
Thanks. As I'm prepping I'll keep an eye out for that.

--- On Sat, 5/9/09, Bob Etter wrote:

From: Bob Etter
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 9:01 AM

Have fun. All that I can say is to take a really good look at the fuselage and try to catch the things that you have forgotten.

If you have stringers that don't have an even progression/ spread, believe me, you will hate yourself for not catching it before you covered them. I reinforced curvature of the top center stringer, just above the rear hat spar carry-thru. All too many time, I've seen a knot where it has cracked. Where fabric contacts metal, I used epoxy primer, I didn't see any problems otherwise. All of the wood/balsa had a couple of good coat of varnish. I would go into fabric, but I am really old school in many ways. I went with Grade A.

Robert Etter

PO Box 974

Tonopah, NV

89049

Tele. 775.482.6820

Cell 702.265.6906

----- Original Message -----

From: George Sands

To: fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 4:33 PM

Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

Hi all,

This weekend I'm going to start covering the fuselage of an F-24. I have plenty experience covering wings, rudders, ailerons etc., but this is my first fuselage. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

But I do have a question. Should I dry fit the envelope first, remove it and then prep the airframe (epoxy, poly-brush) or is it best to prep first and then fit the envelope just the one time?

George Sands

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.12.23/2106 - Release Date: 05/09/09 06:54:00

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

George Sands · Post by **George Sands** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:15 pm

'David,
Thanks.

--- On Sat, 5/9/09, DAVID STROUD wrote:

From: DAVID STROUD
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 5:28 PM

While prepping, you can stretch a few wraps of plastic wrap or something similar to test

your fairing/ smoothness of convex or concave shapes etc. Something that is not obvious

to your eye with a naked fuselage can be easily detected with some temporary wraps and

a second or third set of eyes from different angles can be a big help. You've invested a lot

already....don' t skimp on the last minute stuff....one little bump overlooked will last you a

lifetime.

David Stroud Ottawa, Canada

Christavia C-FDWS

Fairchild 51 replica

under construction C-FYXV

----- Original Message -----

From: George Sands

To: fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Saturday, May 09, 2009 8:21 PM

Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

Bob,

Thanks. As I'm prepping I'll keep an eye out for that.

--- On Sat, 5/9/09, Bob Etter wrote:

From: Bob Etter

Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

To: fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com

Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 9:01 AM

Have fun. All that I can say is to take a really good look at the fuselage and try to catch the things that you have forgotten.

If you have stringers that don't have an even progression/ spread, believe me, you will hate yourself for not catching it before you covered them. I reinforced curvature of the top center stringer, just above the rear hat spar carry-thru. All too many time, I've seen a knot where it has cracked. Where fabric contacts metal, I used epoxy primer, I didn't see any problems otherwise. All of the wood/balsa had a couple of good coat of varnish. I would go into fabric, but I am really old school in many ways. I went with Grade A.

Robert Etter

PO Box 974

Tonopah, NV

89049

Tele. 775.482.6820

Cell 702.265.6906

----- Original Message -----

From: George Sands

To: fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 4:33 PM

Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuselage covering

Hi all,

This weekend I'm going to start covering the fuselage of an F-24. I have plenty experience covering wings, rudders, ailerons etc., but this is my first fuselage. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

But I do have a question. Should I dry fit the envelope first, remove it and then prep the airframe (epoxy, poly-brush) or is it best to prep first and then fit the envelope just the one time?

George Sands

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.12.23/2106 - Release Date: 05/09/09 06:54:00

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'