Well it was bound to happen. The big tires through a fist sized rock through my elevator. Didn't hit any metal but went through both sides of the fabric. Anyone have any experience with a quick repair. I was thinking of duct tape maybe see if I can get some yellow tape. Is there something better maybe longer lasting?

What kind of fabric and coatings?

Good question. I don't know. It's on the the carbon cub.

Blu wrote:Well it was bound to happen. The big tires through a fist sized rock through my elevator. Didn't hit any metal but went through both sides of the fabric. Anyone have any experience with a quick repair. I was thinking of duct tape maybe see if I can get some yellow tape. Is there something better maybe longer lasting?

Probably a good time to learn how to work fabric. If you get the supplies probably do it in 2 days with dry time. I got a hole in my fabric and the AP patched it, looks fine.

I have duct tap and electrical tape on mine too. That works.

Good luck...Rob

Gorilla Tape. It won't let go. You'll find it at Home Depot along with the duct tape. It will come off with some solvent so you can repair it permanently. Regular duct tape rarely lives up to its "100 mph tape" nickname after you go through a drizzle.

Call Cub Crafters and ask them what fabric process they're using, and then find a mechanic who'll teach you how to make fabric repairs.

Tape of any kind is going to be very obvious, and you've got a beautiful airplane...why let it deteriorate?

It's not that hard to make simple small fabric repairs, but you need to know the process first, and go through a short learning curve.

If it were me, I'd want it done right, not duct taped.

MTV

Fabric work is a cake walk. May as well learn it, but here's what I'd do for the smaller temporary 'oh shiv ' moments.

Hit the local sign shop up for a foot or two of the heaviest, best vinyl they have. Get white and and color match it to your plane with the same top coat that is on your plane. If you have stripes or multi colors shoot those colors on a piece as well. Roll it up and put it in a card board tube in your baggage. If you cut a patch of this with pinking shears and stick it on your plane it will last as long as your N numbers, and will look just like any other tape or inspection ring patch on the airplane. In fact it will look so 'correct' that you will likely forget to remove it and do a permanent patch later...

Take care Rob

BTW, one stone through the tail is no biggie, and like you suggested goes with the turf. HC saw my cub after a hailstorm got through with it. It took 66 patches the size of a gallon lid to get it out of there

Does she look a little bit like this Blu?
When I saw Rob's plane it just made me a little sick. I've done a little fabric work myself (yellow cub stuff) so I knew it wasn't terminal..just a big job on this case. As is posted find out the fabric process and it might surprize yourself how easy a repair may be.
HC

Blu, give me a call I got something for ya for this!

After being ramp checked (in our hangar) we learned that Duct tape (see Gorilla tape) is not an approved repair, who knew? I think Rob has the best option with the vinyl.....

I personally would not fly with duct tape on my plane but I've heard of dipshits doing it. I heard it might be illegal or something. It's best to overlap it longways front to back on the plane and end the tape on the rear tube. It's can't peel off that way. Aluminum tape will probably seal it up with one or two strips going against the wind but it's not that reliable.
Stewarts is a snap if you've got an iron in the bush, and then you won't have to clean the tape off afterwards.

Blu, I just finished getting together some stuff for you to fix the holes. I missed the shipping cutoff for today, I'll get it out in the mail to you tomorrow.

Tadpole wrote:Blu, I just finished getting together some stuff for you to fix the holes. I missed the shipping cutoff for today, I'll get it out in the mail to you tomorrow.

Wow, been out of town all day. Posted before I left. I appreciate the responses. I actually flew
up to the job so i duct taped it for the trip. I really appreciate you taking care of me on this seeing as its not a warrenty issue and even if it was mine is expired.
Thats above and beyond service but i really like it.

Blu

Blu;
Have you checked with Ladd? I'll bet he has all the supplies you need. He is headed to Steamboat this weekend for the airshow so his hanger will be empty if you want to do the repair there. I'm sure Randy would be glad to help if he is not taking the Steerman to the show as well.

Charlie

Oops...fat fingers

MTV

I've seen fabric repaired with duct tape a time or two, to get the airplane through flying season. It even looks pretty good after being painted to match, IF you pink the edges. But if you don't pink 'em, it's real obvious. So be advised...

wyomingiswindy wrote:I personally would not fly with duct tape on my plane but I've heard of dipshits doing it.

We have all seen this one before but it worked to at least get him somewhere...I often wonder if he had a ferry permit?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10434561-1.html

Just an idea for your repair- I put a Stainless Steel leading edge caps on my horizontal stabilizers made from 301 S.S., 1/2 hard in .016 thickness with CR3213 4-1 rivets on three inch centers and then put the rubber abrasion boots over it. Its awesome! (Copied the details straight from the form in my logs) It all in accordance with the methods and practices of AC43.13-1A Chapter 2 section 1 & 3.

If your fixing it and doing it again you may want to consider. They make the horizontal tough as nails.

AKT

Irony...I was reading this thread this morning before stepping to the aircraft to fly up to Auburn. Lo and behold, on my walk around I found an 1 - 1.5" flap of fabric staring at me from under my elevator! Must of picked up a rock the other day on the TRK circuit.

Time to order the ceconite repair kit and get to work...2003 Maule should be ceconite, right?

Ceconite 101A on the '03 Maule.