Oratex Fabric Covering

[914pete]

Has anyone used Oratex to cover with?  This is a practice panel I made up with scrap 6061.  Smaller version of say a vertical stab.  1st time covering anything and 1st try at Oratex.  I think the gusset rivets need padding of some sort.  Also, I glued the fabric to the gussets.  I'm wondering if I should be just gluing the perimeter of the panel and stretch the fabric over the gussets.  I think it would be easier, look better and maybe less chance a rivet head will eventually wear through. Any thoughts? 

As mentioned above, I have zero covering experience.  I did prime the aluminum with Etching primer prior to covering it.  The glue seems to really hold the fabric in place and the fabric stretches nicely.  I'm using Oratex UL600.  I don't have any seam tape yet.

[Dan_]

Oratex questions answered...  


http://www.kitplanes.com/issues/31_7/builder_spotlight/oratex_covering_21029-1.html


For official video scroll all the way down.


New word for me toward the end of the article...  Gauche...  pronounced "gosh".

gauche
ɡōSH/
adjective
adjective: gauche

• lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward.
  

  synonyms:

  awkward, gawky, inelegant, graceless, ungraceful, ungainly, maladroit, klutzy, inept; More lacking in social grace(s), unsophisticated, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, raw, inexperienced, unworldly "Rose was embarrassed by her gauche relatives"

  antonyms:

  elegant, sophisticated

Origin

mid 18th century: French, literally ‘left.’


Mistakes You Must Not Make

• Do not bring fabric and airframe together until the adhesive has dried completely.
• Do not try to use a poor quality or non-digital heatgun or iron.
• Do not attempt to shrink the fabric until the glue has had at least 24 hours to set (longer in a cold environment).
• Never allow the uncured adhesive to freeze (freezing will ruin the adhesive).
• Never rely on heat alone when gluing fabric; you must use both heat and pressure.
• Do not allow the fabric to move while the glue is setting up.
• Do not forget to provide for drain/ventilation holes.
• Do not forget to provide specified minimum overlap (2" trailing edge, 4" leading edge).
• Never use the waxed rib stitching/lacing thread of other manufacturers. Only use Oratex non-waxed thread!
• Do not follow concepts and instructions of other types of covering systems!

[914pete]

Thanks Dan.  I guess I'll follow these guidelines.  I up-ed the temp to 350F which worked a lot better.  And I purchased an iron typically used for RC aircraft covering which is a lot easier to work with.  I'm surprised no one is trying Oratex.