Fairchild Club Forum

Posted: **Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:05 am**

'I am chasing leaks in right fuel tank, have opened up more inspection areas and can see the points in question. Seems to be the usual pitting from the inside creating "osmosis" right through. I have looked at some F-24 tanks on a project a/c, and see the same situation in the same areas. I am trying some ProSeal on the outside, hopefully it will work.

However, if I have to remove the tank I want to see what the concensus is on covering the tanks over completely with fabric, or leave open with the straps and tape around the edges? The project was the latter, mine is covered which makes the removal a bigger deal, obviously.

Any help on this?'

Posted: **Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:31 pm**

'I delt with this very same issue about 6 months ago. A previous owner
did some welding on the left tank at the sumps. This started leaking
quite badly. I had about 10 hrs. on it since just covering and painting
the the wings. I had covered the fuel tanks with fabric. To get the tank
out of the wing I used MEK to remove the tapes. Then I pulled the tank
got it welded and reistalled it. I sanded the paint in the areas where I
removed the tapes to fair them in. Then I reistalled new taps masked it
off and repainted the tank area. You can hardly tell it was done. I can
send you some pictures if you would like. I used the Stits system with
aerothane paint.

George.

________________________________

From: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
mcclurebill@rocketmail.com
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 7:06 AM
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover

I am chasing leaks in right fuel tank, have opened up more inspection
areas and can see the points in question. Seems to be the usual pitting
from the inside creating "osmosis" right through. I have looked at some
F-24 tanks on a project a/c, and see the same situation in the same
areas. I am trying some ProSeal on the outside, hopefully it will work.

However, if I have to remove the tank I want to see what the concensus
is on covering the tanks over completely with fabric, or leave open with
the straps and tape around the edges? The project was the latter, mine
is covered which makes the removal a bigger deal, obviously.

Any help on this?

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

Posted: **Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:22 pm**

'Thanks much. Anybody just leave them open?

Bill McC

-----Original Message-----
From: Leighton, George
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, Apr 18, 2011 2:02 pm
Subject: RE: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover

I delt with this very same issue about 6 months ago. A previous owner
did some welding on the left tank at the sumps. This started leaking
quite badly. I had about 10 hrs. on it since just covering and painting
the the wings. I had covered the fuel tanks with fabric. To get the tank
out of the wing I used MEK to remove the tapes. Then I pulled the tank
got it welded and reistalled it. I sanded the paint in the areas where I
removed the tapes to fair them in. Then I reistalled new taps masked it
off and repainted the tank area. You can hardly tell it was done. I can
send you some pictures if you would like. I used the Stits system with
aerothane paint.

George.

________________________________

From: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
mcclurebill@rocketmail.com
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 7:06 AM
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover

I am chasing leaks in right fuel tank, have opened up more inspection
areas and can see the points in question. Seems to be the usual pitting
from the inside creating "osmosis" right through. I have looked at some
F-24 tanks on a project a/c, and see the same situation in the same
areas. I am trying some ProSeal on the outside, hopefully it will work.

However, if I have to remove the tank I want to see what the concensus
is on covering the tanks over completely with fabric, or leave open with
the straps and tape around the edges? The project was the latter, mine
is covered which makes the removal a bigger deal, obviously.

Any help on this?

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

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

Posted: **Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:57 pm**

'Bill,
I left mine uncovered. I put tapes between the surrounding fabric and the edges of the tanks. Over the years, the tanks move in relation to the surrounding wing, causing wrinkles and cracked paint. Easily patched and not visible from the standing on the ground. I was trying to avoid having the fabric come loose from the top of the tank (like I had seen on a number of Fairchild 24 restorations). Leaving it uncovered is not a perfect solution, but I am glad that I did it.

Bob Waldron
1939 Fairchild 24K
Webster, MN

--- In fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com, burnmcc@... wrote:
>
>
> Thanks much. Anybody just leave them open?
>
> Bill McC
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leighton, George
> To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Mon, Apr 18, 2011 2:02 pm
> Subject: RE: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover
>
>
>
>
> I delt with this very same issue about 6 months ago. A previous owner
> did some welding on the left tank at the sumps. This started leaking
> quite badly. I had about 10 hrs. on it since just covering and painting
> the the wings. I had covered the fuel tanks with fabric. To get the tank
> out of the wing I used MEK to remove the tapes. Then I pulled the tank
> got it welded and reistalled it. I sanded the paint in the areas where I
> removed the tapes to fair them in. Then I reistalled new taps masked it
> off and repainted the tank area. You can hardly tell it was done. I can
> send you some pictures if you would like. I used the Stits system with
> aerothane paint.
>
> George.
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> mcclurebill@...
> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 7:06 AM
> To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover
>
> I am chasing leaks in right fuel tank, have opened up more inspection
> areas and can see the points in question. Seems to be the usual pitting
> from the inside creating "osmosis" right through. I have looked at some
> F-24 tanks on a project a/c, and see the same situation in the same
> areas. I am trying some ProSeal on the outside, hopefully it will work.
>
> However, if I have to remove the tank I want to see what the concensus
> is on covering the tanks over completely with fabric, or leave open with
> the straps and tape around the edges? The project was the latter, mine
> is covered which makes the removal a bigger deal, obviously.
>
> Any help on this?
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

'

Posted: **Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:35 am**

'Thanks, I'm beginning to agree.

Bill McClure

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, Apr 18, 2011 8:57 pm
Subject: [fairchildclub] Re: Fuel Tank Cover

Bill,
I left mine uncovered. I put tapes between the surrounding fabric and the edges of the tanks. Over the years, the tanks move in relation to the surrounding wing, causing wrinkles and cracked paint. Easily patched and not visible from the standing on the ground. I was trying to avoid having the fabric come loose from the top of the tank (like I had seen on a number of Fairchild 24 restorations). Leaving it uncovered is not a perfect solution, but I am glad that I did it.

Bob Waldron
1939 Fairchild 24K
Webster, MN

--- In fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com, burnmcc@... wrote:
>
>
> Thanks much. Anybody just leave them open?
>
> Bill McC
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leighton, George
> To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Mon, Apr 18, 2011 2:02 pm
> Subject: RE: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover
>
>
>
>
> I delt with this very same issue about 6 months ago. A previous owner
> did some welding on the left tank at the sumps. This started leaking
> quite badly. I had about 10 hrs. on it since just covering and painting
> the the wings. I had covered the fuel tanks with fabric. To get the tank
> out of the wing I used MEK to remove the tapes. Then I pulled the tank
> got it welded and reistalled it. I sanded the paint in the areas where I
> removed the tapes to fair them in. Then I reistalled new taps masked it
> off and repainted the tank area. You can hardly tell it was done. I can
> send you some pictures if you would like. I used the Stits system with
> aerothane paint.
>
> George.
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> mcclurebill@...
> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 7:06 AM
> To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover
>
> I am chasing leaks in right fuel tank, have opened up more inspection
> areas and can see the points in question. Seems to be the usual pitting
> from the inside creating "osmosis" right through. I have looked at some
> F-24 tanks on a project a/c, and see the same situation in the same
> areas. I am trying some ProSeal on the outside, hopefully it will work.
>
> However, if I have to remove the tank I want to see what the concensus
> is on covering the tanks over completely with fabric, or leave open with
> the straps and tape around the edges? The project was the latter, mine
> is covered which makes the removal a bigger deal, obviously.
>
> Any help on this?
>
> [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]

'

Posted: **Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:44 am**

'Bill,
That is the way my tanks were installed, just tape around the edges. I
believe that is the way it came from the factory, but the wings were recovered
once. Have you tested the fuel tank sealer?
Ken Fosdick

In a message dated 4/19/2011 9:35:18 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
burnmcc@aol.com writes:

Thanks, I'm beginning to agree.

Bill McClure

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob
To: _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_ (mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com)
Sent: Mon, Apr 18, 2011 8:57 pm
Subject: [fairchildclub] Re: Fuel Tank Cover

Bill,
I left mine uncovered. I put tapes between the surrounding fabric and the
edges of the tanks. Over the years, the tanks move in relation to the
surrounding wing, causing wrinkles and cracked paint. Easily patched and not
visible from the standing on the ground. I was trying to avoid having the
fabric come loose from the top of the tank (like I had seen on a number of
Fairchild 24 restorations). Leaving it uncovered is not a perfect solution, but
I am glad that I did it.

Bob Waldron
1939 Fairchild 24K
Webster, MN

--- In _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_
(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com) , burnmcc@... wrote:

>
>
> Thanks much. Anybody just leave them open?
>
> Bill McC
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leighton, George
> To: _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_

(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com)

> Sent: Mon, Apr 18, 2011 2:02 pm
> Subject: RE: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover
>
>
>
>
> I delt with this very same issue about 6 months ago. A previous owner
> did some welding on the left tank at the sumps. This started leaking
> quite badly. I had about 10 hrs. on it since just covering and painting
> the the wings. I had covered the fuel tanks with fabric. To get the tank
> out of the wing I used MEK to remove the tapes. Then I pulled the tank
> got it welded and reistalled it. I sanded the paint in the areas where I
> removed the tapes to fair them in. Then I reistalled new taps masked it
> off and repainted the tank area. You can hardly tell it was done. I can
> send you some pictures if you would like. I used the Stits system with
> aerothane paint.
>
> George.
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_

(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com)

> [mailto:_fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_

(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com) ] On Behalf Of

> mcclurebill@...
> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 7:06 AM
> To: _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_

(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com)

> Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover
>
> I am chasing leaks in right fuel tank, have opened up more inspection
> areas and can see the points in question. Seems to be the usual pitting
> from the inside creating "osmosis" right through. I have looked at some
> F-24 tanks on a project a/c, and see the same situation in the same
> areas. I am trying some ProSeal on the outside, hopefully it will work.
>
> However, if I have to remove the tank I want to see what the concensus
> is on covering the tanks over completely with fabric, or leave open with
> the straps and tape around the edges? The project was the latter, mine
> is covered which makes the removal a bigger deal, obviously.
>
> Any help on this?
>
> [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]

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

Posted: **Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:10 am**

'Applied yesterday, will give it a couple of days before refilling. I saw that on yours, if they have to come out I'll probably leave them opened/taped. I also saw a potential problem in the aft inboard corner......the head of a spar attach fitting is very close to contacting the tank. Cannot tell if there has been any abrasion for sure, but put teflon tape in there to hopefully guard against any.

Bill McC

-----Original Message-----
From: kefent@aol.com
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, Apr 19, 2011 10:30 am
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Re: Fuel Tank Cover

Bill,
That is the way my tanks were installed, just tape around the edges. I
believe that is the way it came from the factory, but the wings were recovered
once. Have you tested the fuel tank sealer?
Ken Fosdick

In a message dated 4/19/2011 9:35:18 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
burnmcc@aol.com writes:

Thanks, I'm beginning to agree.

Bill McClure

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob
To: _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_ (mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com)
Sent: Mon, Apr 18, 2011 8:57 pm
Subject: [fairchildclub] Re: Fuel Tank Cover

Bill,
I left mine uncovered. I put tapes between the surrounding fabric and the
edges of the tanks. Over the years, the tanks move in relation to the
surrounding wing, causing wrinkles and cracked paint. Easily patched and not
visible from the standing on the ground. I was trying to avoid having the
fabric come loose from the top of the tank (like I had seen on a number of
Fairchild 24 restorations). Leaving it uncovered is not a perfect solution, but
I am glad that I did it.

Bob Waldron
1939 Fairchild 24K
Webster, MN

--- In _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_
(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com) , burnmcc@... wrote:

>
>
> Thanks much. Anybody just leave them open?
>
> Bill McC
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leighton, George
> To: _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_

(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com)

> Sent: Mon, Apr 18, 2011 2:02 pm
> Subject: RE: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover
>
>
>
>
> I delt with this very same issue about 6 months ago. A previous owner
> did some welding on the left tank at the sumps. This started leaking
> quite badly. I had about 10 hrs. on it since just covering and painting
> the the wings. I had covered the fuel tanks with fabric. To get the tank
> out of the wing I used MEK to remove the tapes. Then I pulled the tank
> got it welded and reistalled it. I sanded the paint in the areas where I
> removed the tapes to fair them in. Then I reistalled new taps masked it
> off and repainted the tank area. You can hardly tell it was done. I can
> send you some pictures if you would like. I used the Stits system with
> aerothane paint.
>
> George.
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_

(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com)

> [mailto:_fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_

(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com) ] On Behalf Of

> mcclurebill@...
> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 7:06 AM
> To: _fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com_

(mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com)

> Subject: [fairchildclub] Fuel Tank Cover
>
> I am chasing leaks in right fuel tank, have opened up more inspection
> areas and can see the points in question. Seems to be the usual pitting
> from the inside creating "osmosis" right through. I have looked at some
> F-24 tanks on a project a/c, and see the same situation in the same
> areas. I am trying some ProSeal on the outside, hopefully it will work.
>
> However, if I have to remove the tank I want to see what the concensus
> is on covering the tanks over completely with fabric, or leave open with
> the straps and tape around the edges? The project was the latter, mine
> is covered which makes the removal a bigger deal, obviously.
>
> Any help on this?
>
> [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]

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

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