hardtailjohn wrote:

Aerco wrote:

hardtailjohn wrote:Polyfiber is a great system...I've used it for many years. Stewart's is an awesome system....and all that I'll use anymore. Their topcoat is by far the most flexible I've ever found!! I've got fabric samples that are more than 10 years old and you can still wad them up in a little ball and spread them back out, and not a crack anywhere. Really good stuff!
Be safe!
John

Curious. I do fabric covering for a living and I mostly use Polyfiber, my favorite system. I've seen Stewart and seen both good and terrible results; flaking and peeling within a couple of years, heavy and brittle. I've never seen a Stewart covered airplane older than two years that looked good. I'm sure it's mostly use-error, but I'm not impressed. Especially considering the cost. I'm usually stick with Polyfiber and if people want a fancy shiny (heavy) top coat. I send them to the local paint shop for some Ranthane.

Well, I do it for a living too. Have for over 35 years. I've seen a few messed up Stewarts System jobs, but seen a whole lot more that were awesome!! I've never seen a heavy or brittle one. I've got samples that I shot in the 90's that you can still wad up into a little ball and flatten out with NO cracking...never seen ANY other system able to match that. Quite a few aircraft are out there flying and staying outside that are 20+ years old. As far as heavy, I'm not sure where you're getting that. It's one of the lightest systems out there, by a substantial margin. As far as cost, it's actually less when you factor in shipping and the fact that you're not buying any thinners or anything like that. Not to mention the safety factor of it all, which is why I got involved with it in 96. I had the choice of quitting or finding another way to cover....or being dead. I think you're confusing Stewarts with the old Blue River system...don't feel bad, many make that mistake, but the 2 aren't related.
John

hardtailjohn wrote:Ha! David, I thought of yours this morning as I was busting through some brush, chasing a miserable old cow, and I just got done a few minutes ago. You're right, I HAVE seen one that cracked! That's what I get for operating late at night! I'm still doing some experimenting to see what I can find out about the problem you had. That one sure baffles me. I'm gonna bug Andy about that again tomorrow!
John

Rob wrote:Yes and No.... Polytone is Polyfibres dope. It is MEK based. You can do a quick google on the MSDS sheets for MEK and decide for yourself if you think a fresh air system is overkill. It is certainly less damaging to your body than a catalyzed system using a volatile carrier.
If I were using a polyfibre system I would use Polytone. But that's just as a matter of preference. It is only about 1000 times easier to repair (and look good) than Aerothane.
I can't really go along with the weekend warrior analogy. A hobbyair fresh air system is a lot cheaper than a set of lungs. Maybe it would be a good time to approach the local EAA chapter and see if they have one. If not maybe it's a good time for them to pony up and get one? This is about like saying one cigarette will not give you cancer, and it probably won't... But can you tell the guy dying which one it was?
All of these considerations where what I based my suggestion for the Stewarts Sytem on. All of these systems have their merits and their weaknesses... a guy just needs to pick the one that makes sence and one that he can apply well.
Take care, Rob

A1Skinner wrote:/quote]Man if cows didnt taste so damn good I'd have no use for them! I chased a few around this weekend to.
It is an interesting case for sure...