ORIGINAL: SeamusG
Ihave several planes that have "holes" in the control surfaces, one is a SIGSomethin' Extra with laser cut holes and the other is a Hog Bipe with self inflicted "circle cut saw"holes. Both are afflicted with noticeable sagging covering over the holes. Both are kits built by me. Both have their hinge gaps sealed on both sides. Both are covered with Ultracote. I have used a heat gun and hot iron trying to eliminate the unsightly sag (the plane!not me). With each tool the covering billows up as there is nowhere of the expanding air to escape. Oh, during the original build of each, 1/16" holes were drilled in the LE of control surfaces into these cavities - worked for the inital covering but not for shrinking after the hinge gaps were sealed.
My question: How do you address providing venting for these areas?
TIAfor sharing your experiences.
First of all, you want to seal the working moving surface, Ail, rudder, elv, is that correct? Seal only one side, usually the bottom of the surface.
Remove the botched up sealing material, and start over.
When cleaned with Trim Cote that you can buy from any hobby store, Have your pieces all laied out, then remove the backing and place the covering on the cleaned area.
Then use your finger, remove any problem area's and then use a small screwdriver to poke it in where it needs to go. After it sets , about 1 min. use a heated Trim iron and go over the coating. It works. You don't want any Pin holes anywhere. That invites a rip in the covering and more problem later.