As a temporary fix, put super glue along the crack, then put wax paper on it and rub along the crack til the super glue dries.(it won't stick to wax paper.)
Your topcoat has lost it's plasticisers, and polyurethanes can't be rejuvenated. If the crack is spanwise it is time to recover, or with luck try peeling the polyurethane off and sand and repaint with DOPE. Sorry, Bill To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:57:58 -0400 Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Re: Paint Cracking Bob, How do you know your wings are painted with Imron? How long has it been since they were recovered? What fabric and recovering process was used? All of these issues impact your decisions about a failing paint job. When I bought my coupe the wings were finished in a high gloss paint that looked suspiciously like an automotive paint. The paint had started to crack and I bought the plane knowing that the wings would soon need recovering. I inquired around to see if the paint could be repaired. The first step seemed to be to determine what paint is actually on the wing. I was told the process to accomplish this involved using various solvents to discover the actual finish. In my case, the log book indicated the wings had not been recovered for quite some time so I decided to fly it for a while (after it was approved for flight by an IA) and then just recover the wings at a convenient time. Unless the paperwork contains a 337 and an STC defining the last covering process used, I don't know that I would trust a plain logbook entry for identifying materials used during a recovering and/or paint job. While just a paint job may not require a 337, I believe a recovering does require one. In the case of the cracking paint, the IA seemed to feel that as long as the fabric under the paint was not weakened by exposure to water or the sun, it would be safe to fly. However, I could see that the cracks were increasing in number and small patches of bare fabric were becoming exposed to the elements. I ended up doing my wings myself under the supervision of an IA. I enjoyed learning the process. And I gained the additional comfort of knowing the wings structure is currently corrosion free and well protected by the two part epoxy now in use. I also had the chance to smooth out the dings in the leading edge that the plane acquired over the past 60 plus years. I suggest you look around and find an IA that you can work with and use his knowledge and expertise to diagnose and fix the problem with your wings. John Roach N 2427H Bob Stearns wrote: My fabric wings are painted with Imron. I just noticed a hairline crack, curved maybe 3 inches long, above one of the ribs. Should I worry unduly? Can it be repaired? Stop drilling is out of the question <vbg>. _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/
