Repair (Strengthen) ABS Wheel Pants?
 

I tried to repair the wheel pants on my .40-size GP Extra 330s after a brush with the grass at the end of the runway. I washed them in hot soapy water, wiped with alcohol and roughed-up where I wanted to epoxy in some glass cloth. First flight, the epoxy just peeled away from the ABS when I touched down on the runway, and one pant jammed the wheel.

I've ordered a new set and want to reinforce them before they break! (I had only a few flights on the first set!) Also, I notice the ABS cowl is cracking around the fuel dot, just from pulling the line out and pushing it back in place. These things are really flimsy! [:@] Yes, I know I could order a whole new setup in fiberglass from Stan's but I've been unemployed for 15 months and $$$ is a little tight!

Any suggestions?

RE: Repair (Strengthen) ABS Wheel Pants?
 

I have abs on an extra, had the same problem and ordered a new pair. Mine came in half's, so I could easily get a t the inside of them, don't know if thats the case for you. I took 100 grit sand paper and went all the inside. Then cut an inch wide strip for the seam where you joined the two half's to make one wheel pant. Also, cut some pieces and put them on the sides, it helps for rigidity and for strength when you bolt them to the landing gear. Finally after I CA'ed the halfs together, I put all the fiberglass pieces in there and attached it with 30 minute epoxy, thinned a little with alcohol so it could soak in better. It was stiff enough that when I lost a wheel, it just skidded on the grass like a ski, and did not flip the plane at all. Good luck

Alex

RE: Repair (Strengthen) ABS Wheel Pants?
 

PVC cement works better for ABS plastic. I usually line the inside seam on wheel pants with the PVC cement and 3/4 nylon tape available from Goldberg. On the cowl where ever you run screws through the plastic I thin CA a hinge on the back of the hole. A regular ole CA hinge. It will stop the cracking from screws and fueler valves. Some guys will fiberglass the whole inside with glass cloth and pvc cement. It works but gets heavy. Hope this helps, Walt

RE: Repair (Strengthen) ABS Wheel Pants?
 

Thanks, guys. I'll give it a try.