hey guys on one of my planes i have a probelm with the skin ripping or tearing. i have no idea when or how it happens. i just notice that there are holes in the skin. at first in wiped it with some sort of window cleaner which worked fine but then the holes started appearing so i quit and they are still appearing. theres not one area, it happens all over the plane. its not and electric motor its gas. so if someone would no or have ideas let me know.

Holes? Or is it tearing?

If it's tearing, you may be over-stressing the airframe - or there may be some broken wood that is allowing too much flex.

It could also be crappy covering. I've see some covering break just sitting in the sun.

What window cleaner are you using. It sounds like it is eating away the covering. A pic would really help

Austin

Typically windex should not eat away the adhesives... though the ammonia is not great on them...

Glow fuel is another matter however. It can make the covering release or come off ( but it should never cause tears, etc. ).

It can EASILY dissolve the adhesive material used on most coverings ( with exceptions ).

Your best bet in a case such as this is to seal all seems.

You should first make sure the existing covering is holding well, then clean it as much as possible, and reheat it with an iron to assure adhesion.

Then use a clear coat covering such as Top Flite Clear Coat spray over any non transparent plastic area of the plane. Apply several coats.

This will seal all of the covering seems and prevent glow fuel from getting in under there...

So is your material torn or is it coming off?

If the latter reheat then reseal as I indicated.

If it's an old plane the covering can weaken and tear more easily.

HEY,that guy has a name like mine!!!

Yep. I saw yours and decided to copy it.

Build a SPAD
www.Spadtothebone.com

Coroplast never wrinkles cracks or wears out. I have done horrible things to my poor SPAD's and they always come back for more.

no its not coming off, it just gets weird holes. just like someone took a knife and made a slit in the middle of nowhere. the plane is only 4 or 5 months old and it has no broken wood. maybe i'm crazy but i think its happening sitting inside my shop. and its not close to anything that could hit it or cut it. seems that the material it a wee bit wrinkled just on the edge of the cut. i've patched all the holes up so far so i can't send a pic.

Hmmm! Do you have a cat???

Or, are you spending too much wife time at the field???

Both can result in strange rips and tears!

Do you fly where there are little rocks or small twigs on the runway? Are the holes only on the bottom? Two of the fields I fly at are dirt and every once in awhile you find little pinholes in the open structure areas where a stick or rock has been thrown up during takeoff or landing. Sometimes they are small enough that I don't notice them until I get home and do a good cleaning.

I liked the cat response. Also tall grass or weeds on the runway can whip a split pretty easily. Sometimes it is hard to see the odd tall weed on the field so walk it out and look. you may need to mow.. ouch! mowing in FEB.[:@] Also re-evaluate your storage and transporting methods. Hanger Rash is REAL...and we are all looking for a cure! OH yeah have the cat declawed

thanks alot tsawyer i bet you its fromthe little stones on my runway cause it is gravel. never even thought of that. thanks alot man.