Covering Tail


 

If money were no object I would use this:

http://www.betteraircraftfabric.com/oratex.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFW5wU4mz6o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH4ghFSOQQM


Since money IS a concern, I'm covering with 10 mil thick industrial outdoor shrink wrap.

 

Information about it here:

https://www.bigshrink.com/dr-shrink-shrink-wrap-roll-20-100-10

https://www.bigshrink.com/shrink-wrap-tips
 

I can cover a Weed Hooper for under $400, and it can stay outside with little to no UV sun damage. I don't have a hanger. In November the wings come off, and I store it in a storage unit. In May I put the wings back on.

 

Here is what I do to cover with shrink wrap.

Cut a piece of the shrink fabric a couple of inches wider than the part being covered.

Cut 2" wide heat shrink tape into 3" or 4" lengths.

Put the tape half on the shrink wrap longways.

Put the rest of the tape on the aluminum tubing on the first side.

Pull the shrink wrap tight against the tape already in place on the opposite side.

Trim the shrink wrap even with the edge of the tube using a single edge razor blade.

Tape the trimed shrink wrap with another 3" or 4" piece of heat shrink tape with half the tape logways.

Pull the tape tight, and press it down.

Repeat the above on the other two sides.

Now keep adding heat shrink tape to the longest untaped piece of fabric, and its opposite side while pulling the shrink wrap tight.

Repeat the above until its all taped and the shrink wrap is tight.

Add more tape inside to grab all of the exposed tubes if this is the first side of the part being covered.

Use an 1800w heat gun to shrink the fabric around its edges for a couple of inches.

Heat the middle of the fabric with the heat gun.

Don't use too much heat or get too close as it can melt the fabric.

Pull the heat gun away and 30 seconds or so wait for it to shrink.

Repeat heating as needed with the heat gun.

Angling the heat gun away from the already heated fabric will make it easier for you not to go over the same areas.

After the first side of a part is covered, taped, and shrunk; use spray Headliner glue where heat shrink fabric touches metal.

Cover both sides of the part.

The second side covering will be taped to the side already in place, making a wrap around the part, like a pillow cover.

Add 3" wide  UV resistent tent tape over all the heat shrink tape, or at least where the sun hits the shrink wrap.

I takes practice to perfect your technique.

Don't be afraid to cut all the covering off and start all over.

For large areas like wings, a heat shrink propane gun really helps speed things up, but is not required. 

Keep heat away from the taped edges as much as possible so they don't pull away from the metal.


 

Recovering Tail Feathers

 

 

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