stevegauth30

Anthony, I've been quietly following along and learning . I'm very interested in trying the Stits method. Your cub is coming out super. Great looking finish.

WacoNut

Thanks Steve,
I will be stopping in at my work this afternoon to blast the tail brace wires and while I am there I will weigh the Solartex patch and the test patch of Stits that I made. The clear coat is drying on that now.
Later!!
Anthony

WacoNut

The fuse was dry enough to remove from the stand,
I set it up next to the wings so you can see the difference in the sheen. You can also see the light reflecting off of the fuse onto the wings. I can't wait until we have a sunny day to get it outside.

WacoNut

Just got home from picking up some more clear and weighing the test samples.

The test panels are identical in dimension 8"x9" and here are the weights.

Solartex 4.4 grams
Stits 9.7 grams

The Solartex is stock off of the roll with the backing removed.

The Stits has dope to adhere the fabric, 2 coats of Poly Brush, 2 coats of Poly Spray and 3 coats of Poly Tone Cub Yellow and 1 coats of clear.

That's the scoop. Even though the Stits weighs twice as much as Solartex it will be my covering of choice. You can put a sheet of paper under the Solartex and read every word on the paper it is so transparent.

OK enough playing around back to spraying clear.

rt3232

My Feedback: (6)

Hi WacoNut

Just a question the stits you are using, is it the stits lite for cliders? or the std for lite aircraft. I am sure you have that info back in the thread but did not feel like looking

Cheers Bob T

WacoNut

I am actually using Poly Fiber Lite uncertified sold by Aircraft Spruce. It comes 72" wide by the yard.

The stits lite fabric is basically the same fabric but 60" wide sold by the yard.

This is basically the same fabric guys use on ultralights. Too light weight to be used on Full Scale FAA certified aircraft.

On my covering job there is no hint of fabric weave showing in the finish, it is as smooth as Monokote. I probably could have stopped at 2 coats of Yellow and would have been fine. Also one coat of Poly Spray would also be sufficient. This would probably get the weight down below double that of Solartex.

Later!!
Anthony

WacoNut

BTW:
I had a total weight of 26.5lbs with the Solartex covering job. I will get a total weight with the new finish once I have everything back together. This will give a better idea of the total weight difference on a plane of this size.
The plane was so light on it's wings I am sure the weight gain will not hurt at all.
Later!!
Anthony

WacoNut

The last wing panel is now being cleared.

The 1st wing panel came out nice. The finish is by no means perfect but is respectable.

Tomorrow I should be able to start putting it back together. With any luck I can get this thing outside is a few days when the weather gets a bit better.

stevegauth30

Not only is the covering and paint respectable, but also the builder. That looks sharp.

flyingagin

Well said Steve
Way better job than I have ever achieved,

Ken

WacoNut

Thanks Guys,
The clear coat is complete. Just needs to cure out.

In case your interested I used NASAN #496-000 Clear. It took 1-1/2 qts giving the plane 2 good coats. The clear requires an activator to be mixed in before spraying. It runs about $37 a quart for the clear with the activator.

I will post some pics as the re-assembly takes place.
Later!!
Anthony

rt3232

My Feedback: (6)

Anthony

Thanks for the reply on the fabric. Considering it for my cub bash some time in 2015 to much on the plate now.

cheers Bob T

WacoNut

Working on putting the Cub back together,

The receiver, tail brace wires, rudder pull/pull, landing gear, opti-kill switch and elevator servo's are installed. I painted the dash flat black. Stupid me forgot to mark all the servo extensions when I pulled the radio gear out. I am going to have to get my radio out and power up the receiver and see what leads go where.

I also hinged the bottom of the door. I will wait to put the windows in until everything else is complete.

WacoNut

Upon inspection of the old fuel tank I decided to replace the whole thing. The gas stopper was turning to mush and there was about 2 ounces of 1-1/2 year old gas in the tank. All the lines were rock hard as well.

New tank and lines are installed now I can mount the engine.

stevegauth30

Always a good idea anyway when you consider the cost of a fuel setup VS the cost of the rest. Not that you don't make a good deadstick 9 out of 10 times.

WacoNut

Yeah,
I will clean the old tank out and buy a new stopper and lines for it and use it on the next build.

I mounted the engine about 3 times. I thought it was going to be an easy swap out as the bolt pattern was the same, well the carb is a bit different and the linkages had to be changes.

All the internals are now installed with the exception of the batteries, I am going to charge and cycle them to get a good idea if the batteries are still good. I have a nice accessible compartment under the fuel tank to store the batteries.

I will of course be taking a break away from the Cub and spending time with the family. Friday however is all mine and I will get the control surfaces hinges and linkages hooked up. Looks like I will be able to have this thing ready for our freeze fly on January 3rd if the weather holds out.

Later!!
Anthony

stevegauth30

Any chance for a re-maiden video? Spend time with your family. The holidays only come once a year.

acerc

Thank God!

WacoNut

If I fly it during the freeze fly I can guarantee there will be a video.
The new president of our club loves to shoot video and he will be there.

I am with Robert on the Holidays
Anthony

Cub Flyer Fresno

So many threads, so little time!

Finally got caught up Anthony. Fantastic job! She really looks great! I must say I'm learning a lot as well. I think I just might have to try the Stits method on my Stinson. It'll be a bit scary for me as I really like the ease of Solartex. But after all the discussions with Robert and watching you use it, well why not give it a try.

Oh! One more thing...

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

stevegauth30

I have a question regarding the stits covering. Actually two.
1; I'm assuming for the fabric your using the uncertified lite fabric? Correct?
2; as for the poly brush, tinted or untinted? Is the tinted just for use with darker colors?

im looking into using it on my Bud Nosen Mister Mulligan. Thanks .

WacoNut

Merry Christmas,
Welcome back Dave.

Steve,
You are correct I am using the uncertified lite fabric. The tinting in the Poly Brush just helps to let you know the coverage you are getting with the product.

I hope everyone has a great holiday!!
Anthony

VincentJ

Merry Christmas Anthony! Nice to see you back at the build table. You did a great job describing the entire process, thanks.

I have been silently watching your progress and I am very impressed with how it all came out. Can't wait to hear the flight report...

WacoNut

Hi VJ,
We will get you to try a fabric finish one of these days.
Later!!
Anthony

Corsair2013

My Feedback: (2)

Anthony, the plane looks great......

Nice work bench - build and eat ..... sweet.........

Happy Holidays everyone....... we actually had a white Christmas!!

Keith