stripping cloth and dope
07-15-2002, 03:03 AM
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stripping cloth and dope
I just got a few airplanes from a friend whose father passed away recently.
the one is covered with cloth and dope and needs a new cover job (the bipe on the left)
what is the best way to strip without messing up the wood.
they are both superbly built and I dont want to mess them up more than I have to
the one is covered with cloth and dope and needs a new cover job (the bipe on the left)
what is the best way to strip without messing up the wood.
they are both superbly built and I dont want to mess them up more than I have to
07-15-2002, 01:17 PM
#2
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My method
Getting rid of old torn doped tissue is really not difficult, but you will find it best to do under certain circumstances. Try to do the removal on a cool day, early morning or into the evening, as you do not want the materials to dry quickly. You will need some MEK or Acetone as they are stronger and will penetrate aircraft dope, lacquer, or paint and thin it again. Lacquer thinner or dope thinner is not reccomended as they will only soften the attachment, and not let you pull it loose.
Dust off the surfaces, then using a single edged razor blade cut out the centers of the tissue on wing panels to within 1/2 inch of where they attach. This will provide a bit of handle for fingers or tweezers when everything is wet.
Slosh on some MEK to the exterior surface of the covering with a 1" wide wet brush , then fold up the skin, and apply some to the material where it joins the edge of the wood. Using a dull Xacto knife, slide it into the gap between the tissue and the wood. Not the surface. If wet enough, it should begin to separate after about 30 seconds of application. Keep the 1 inch brush handy, and apply the MEK in advance of your work and then force apart the skin. The skin should not tear off, but should simply peal back with each application. I usually do this whole proceedure out by the lawn, as the wet chips of tissue will still stick to things, better the lawn blades where they dry rather faster, than the gargage floor where it permanently sticks.
If you were too fast in pealing it off and the skin stuck in a few spot locations, just keep going and come back to those spots later. You then soak the spots, and with the Xacto knife pick the fibers away, to leave a smooth surface. If the old dope had coloring, it will flow all over the place. While wet, just wipe up with a cloth. Colored dope will also penetrate the wood and stain it permanently. There may be some little fibers or other lumps left on the surface of the wood. These need to be removed so that your replacement covering will have a smooth appearance upon finishing. Once the tissue is off, go back with a clean rag soaked with MEK and wash the wood surfaces, and the little lumps of paper left will flow onto it. Then you have a nice surface to apply new covering with very little sanding.
Wm.
Dust off the surfaces, then using a single edged razor blade cut out the centers of the tissue on wing panels to within 1/2 inch of where they attach. This will provide a bit of handle for fingers or tweezers when everything is wet.
Slosh on some MEK to the exterior surface of the covering with a 1" wide wet brush , then fold up the skin, and apply some to the material where it joins the edge of the wood. Using a dull Xacto knife, slide it into the gap between the tissue and the wood. Not the surface. If wet enough, it should begin to separate after about 30 seconds of application. Keep the 1 inch brush handy, and apply the MEK in advance of your work and then force apart the skin. The skin should not tear off, but should simply peal back with each application. I usually do this whole proceedure out by the lawn, as the wet chips of tissue will still stick to things, better the lawn blades where they dry rather faster, than the gargage floor where it permanently sticks.
If you were too fast in pealing it off and the skin stuck in a few spot locations, just keep going and come back to those spots later. You then soak the spots, and with the Xacto knife pick the fibers away, to leave a smooth surface. If the old dope had coloring, it will flow all over the place. While wet, just wipe up with a cloth. Colored dope will also penetrate the wood and stain it permanently. There may be some little fibers or other lumps left on the surface of the wood. These need to be removed so that your replacement covering will have a smooth appearance upon finishing. Once the tissue is off, go back with a clean rag soaked with MEK and wash the wood surfaces, and the little lumps of paper left will flow onto it. Then you have a nice surface to apply new covering with very little sanding.
Wm.
