rt4957

Sorry for the possibly dumb question,but I have a couple wings I have had stored for many years that need some repairs,both wood and Monokote.

Do you simply reheat and remove it,,or does the area have to be cut out

Also,,can wing ribs be sandwich repaired by two pieces of balsa splicing the cracked/punched out area,or should the affected rib be removed somehow and re-done

Thanks for any help.

I`m trying to salvage a couple Pilot models Cessna 152s I have

Phil/Rt4957

jcflysrc

My Feedback: (50)

Of course each situation is differrent. Generally though I just cut into the covering and start from there, gently pulling the covering off. You don't have to heat it to get it off, although it might help in some areas. Do be sure to get all the old covering off before re-covering. A little sanding is all that you would have to do if it wern't for the damage you mentioned. If you can re-build the rib, then that would be the best thing to do. You may have to study it and think of a "best" way to do it.

Jim C

rlipsett

a heat gun is good for removing the covering

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

Light heating of the covering to loosen the glue works good.

bruce88123

While heating with the gun pull the material back over itself, not at right angles to the wood as you might separate wood from it's foundation. Don't burn yourself, easy to do. Rebuild the rib/structure, you may want to put a doubler in to brace it but it wouldn't necessarily need to cover the entire rib. Thin CA will do wonders in this area. If something is cracked it can often be just put back in place and glued with thin CA and be stronger than new.

Bruce

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Like the others have said, heat will help to get it off,

and yes, you can brace the ribs as you discribed