I have a customer that would like to put diamond plating instead of carpet in his Cessna 185 any suggestions on where to get it , etc or why not to use it? other options?

I'd look for lighter weight plastic alternatives to aluminum...maybe there's a plastic diamond plate even?

As for Jr's concern, perhaps a foam layer would dampen some of that noise if you do end up using the plate.

Stick with rubber material. It will be more quiet, but more importantly, it won't be as slick either. Further, and maybe most importantly, it will be a hell of a lot easier to fish in and out of there during maintenance to get at the inspection covers under there.

I would NEVER put diamond plate aluminum in a Cessna, my own self.

There's some rubber material that LOOKS like diamond plate as far as the surface is concerned that we used. Cut it to shape, and it works fine.

MTV

mtv wrote:Stick with rubber material. It will be more quiet, but more importantly, it won't be as slick either.

MTV

I agree... Unless you're hauling triple-mailers of Pepsi all day long in a C207, and want slick to slide stuff in and out, a slippery floor is not your friend.

I fully agree with the non-use of diamond plate, and not easy to get out and back in. I have heard of the rubber that looks like the plating but have no leads on it. as always all info is really appreciated!

I would like to find an inexpensive rubber type flooring product that meets FAA cabin certification requirements. I think many rubber type materials might burn too easily and/or produce toxic smoke. I have been wanting to replace my carpet, let me know what you come up with.

Check out vinyl material called Aermat 9000. It comes in many different colors with different textures, and is FAA approved. Doesn't weigh much more than carpet, if any. Pretty easy to install and is really durable.

jeff

Use a spray in bed liner material. You can have it done or buy it and brush it. Non-skid, some material to absorb a little noise (Minimal but better than metal) and light weight. Easy to hose the blood off too. Did I mention cheap?

howdy all,i took my floor board to line-x and had it sprayed on and it very light and nothing will slide on it try it you will like it.marc n43643

Use the spray on stuff, and you run the risk of getting corrosion going under it. I wouldn't. Stick with good primer, and cover it with rubber matting.

MTV

mtv wrote:Use the spray on stuff, and you run the risk of getting corrosion going under it. I wouldn't. Stick with good primer, and cover it with rubber matting.

MTV

MTV, I like the spray on idea...how would you get corrosion between the floor and spray on adhesive?? curious cause they put it on various vehicles all the time without corrosion happening...

Has anyone else tried the spray on/paint on foam?

cheers, BCT

I have several pices of .125" shiny aluminum diamond deck plateing that I wound sell you. If you would make a cardboard pattern I would use my plasma cutter to make the pieces.

Lonseal....

http://www.lonseal.com/show_product.cfm ... mit=Submit

Backcountry Tundra wrote:

mtv wrote:Use the spray on stuff, and you run the risk of getting corrosion going under it. I wouldn't. Stick with good primer, and cover it with rubber matting.

MTV

MTV, I like the spray on idea...how would you get corrosion between the floor and spray on adhesive?? curious cause they put it on various vehicles all the time without corrosion happening...

Has anyone else tried the spray on/paint on foam?

cheers, BCT

Diamond plate is so last year! Bed liner is the way to go. IMHO

I think the key is in the prep work. We have had some aluminum tent/floor carts LineX and although it's pretty tough stuff, it can get chipped and peel back just enough for moisture to get between the bedliner and aluminum. I don't think these carts were prepped very good. I've tested the cheaper off the shelf rattle can Bed Liner (RustOleum) and that stuff chips and comes off pretty easy. I ended up ordering Duraback and going to use that on a aluminum door (which I had bead blasted) and other area's on our semi rigs. Duraback is an Oregon company, too

58Skylane wrote:Diamond plate is so last year! Bed liner is the way to go. IMHO

I think the key is in the prep work. We have had some aluminum tent/floor carts LineX and although it's pretty tough stuff, it can get chipped and peel back just enough for moisture to get between the bedliner and aluminum. I don't think these carts were prepped very good. I've tested the cheaper off the shelf rattle can Bed Liner (RustOleum) and that stuff chips and comes off pretty easy. I ended up ordering Duraback and going to use that on a aluminum door (which I had bead blasted) and other area's on our semi rigs. Duraback is an Oregon company, too

How would it hold on primed aluminum...or for that matter painted aluminum using the Duraback? I guess in the end I'll go find a local fella to sandblast the floor pannels. BCT

Hi,
some years ago I got rolls of the diamond pattern "rubber" stuff they use in the galley floors from the Boeing surplus store in Seattle. $3 a pound they charged for everything plastic/rubber. Probably more now! It is good quality stuff as you would expect and while quite thin proved to be very hard wearing in the Maule.
Mixed lengths and colors were available but they'd cut any length you wanted. Takes a propane torch to keep it burning too !

Derek

We used to jump a Twin Beech that had diamond plate floors... sure was nice to keep clean, and I don't ever remember it being slick..
John

I believe I had posted this info before. I fly my 172 with the thick "foam rubber" type padding that looks like diamond plate on the surface, and am very happy with it so far. There are one or two places where you can get this stuff on a 7 foot roll (instead of the jigsaw puzzle squares). It took a couple of hours to cut it correctly, first making a paper pattern etc. But I cut it about 1/8 inch oversize so it just "squeezes" in place. My airplane is used as a sportplane and not a working airplane, so I'm sure that if it was a working airplane it would need some Velcro or RTV or something to keep it in place better.

Another advantage of this stuff LOOKS like it migtht be great for airplane camping, since it seems pretty close to the kind of insulation pad like you put under your sleeping bag.

If it is a working airplane however, chances are it might not meet FAR 25.853, the flame resistance rules which would apply.

The foam will wear of course, I already have spots where my heels are starting to abrade the raised diamonds. Strike plates made of thin sheet metal, glued on with RTV, would solve that.

hardtailjohn wrote:We used to jump a Twin Beech that had diamond plate floors... sure was nice to keep clean, and I don't ever remember it being slick.. John

Aren't "non-skid" decks on ships diamond-plate?