skyfox1 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Hi could someone please tell me what are the best method of attaching rego numbers to sail cloth currently l am using the vinyl stick ons from my local sign writter l am having to restick them on after each flight is there some better system. thanks Geoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maj Millard Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Skyfox1, I am familiar with that problem. Your best bet is to purchase your numbers from a sail maker or marine shop. They are designed to stick well to dacron...................................................................Maj... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farri Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 G`Day Geof, I`ve had to put rego numbers on Dacron ( Sail Cloth ) several times over the years and I`ve never used stick on numbers for the simple reason that they might not stay on!........I`ve always painted them on, using screen printers ink and/or Craft paint! If you prefer the stick on numbers, mark the outline of the numbers on the material, then clean the area where the numbers will stick,with a clean cloth,using either paint thinners, acetone or similar fluid!...The solvent should clean off the waxy finish and allow the numbers to stick better!....No gurantee they will stay there!!!!! Frank. Ps, If you choose to paint the numbers on, clean the area to be painted with solvent! Paint will stay on!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Baron Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hi could someone please tell me what are the best method of attaching rego numbers to sail clothcurrently l am using the vinyl stick ons from my local sign writter l am having to restick them on after each flight is there some better system. thanks Geoff. Hi Geoff, I got my numbers for my thruster from Di at Punkin Head Airsports and they haven't budged in the five years they have been on. Give her a ring on 0429938426. Cheers Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farri Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hi Geoff, I got my numbers for my thruster from Di at Punkin Head Airsports and they haven't budged in the five yearsthey have been on. Give her a ring on 0429938426. Cheers Steve. Meddo, Is it Dacron and did you clean with solvent before sticking the numbers on?......Just interested!!! Frank. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farri Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 David, UV protectant is not a problem if the area where adhesive or ink is to be applied, is cleaned well with solvent!.... I`ve done it many times!!! I`m not sure how Textas would go, never tried it but I would assume that if the ink is permanent ink, then as long as it holds to the fabric it should be ok!....If or when it fades,you would just go over it again!!!! Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pudestcon Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I`m not sure how Textas would go, never tried it but I would assume that if the ink is permanent ink, then as long as it holds to the fabric it should be ok!....If or when it fades,you would just go over it again!!!!Frank. I wonder what the long term effects of the solvent on Dacron is? Would Dacron deteriorate similar to the effects sunlight has, and if so, how long would this take. I got my numbers from Wayne Fisher and they are the typical 'stickyback' fabric used by sailmakers to do small repairs. Not sure how long they will last as the aircraft hasn't flown yet! Pud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farri Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I wonder what the long term effects of the solvent on Dacron is? Pud Pud, How long is long term? I`ve never had a problem and this is based on my experience, not a scientific fact!!! Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pudestcon Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Pud, How long is long term?I`ve never had a problem and this is based on my experience, not a scientific fact!!! Frank. Sounds good enough to me Farri. Your experience means it will last for decades and decades eh? Pud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farri Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Your experience means it will last for decades and decades eh?:laugh:Pud Pud, If you or anybody else can get decades and decades out of a set of Dacron skins, Please, let me know, hey!!!! Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pudestcon Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Pud, If you or anybody else can get decades and decades out of a set of Dacron skins, Please, let me know, hey!!!!Frank. I was trying to subtley dig at your age Farri, but it didn't work so well. Cheers, Pud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyfox1 Posted August 22, 2011 Author Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hi Frank l will try your way l will trace around my numbers then clean them with thinners and paint them on . Will my neck still be on after painting them upside down. cheers Geoff. ps .what is the most time that you have had out of a set of wing skins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyfox1 Posted August 22, 2011 Author Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hi Pud have you got yours off the ground yet. cheers Geoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pudestcon Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hi Pud have you got yours off the ground yet.cheers Geoff. Nup, still a few niggling things but I'm hoping this weekend, we'll see. Just remembered that the numbers I got from Wayne Fisher were in black dacron, and I painted the tail numbers with a spray can of enamel paint. Seems to have worked alright but of course, time will tell..... Pud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farri Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hi Frank l will try your way l will trace around my numbers then clean them with thinners and paint them on .Will my neck still be on after painting them upside down. cheers Geoff. ps .what is the most time that you have had out of a set of wing skins. Geof, Unfortunately painting numbers on with the wing attached to the AC is a pain in the neck, literally!....I make my own skins and paint the numbers on after I`ve assembled the wing, but before I attach it to the aircraft,this way the fabric is tight and I`m not breaking my neck, having to looking up!....It seems a lot of trouble,but if you have someone to help you remove the wing, you`ll be much better off. Skin lifespan: When I was instructing and flying a lot of hrs, 3 to 3 1/2 years, max!...These days I don`t fly as much so it`s not exposed to the sun as much!...The current set is coming up to 4 years and still in good condition. By the way: I make my wing skins in 2 seperate sections , much easier to construct!... I`ve put an extra rib in the middle end and this allows me to pull each wing tightly together and get a tighter wing, also to retighten later if required! Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farri Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I was trying to subtley dig at your age Farri, but it didn't work so well.Pud Pud, I did get that, so I replied as I did !!!! Not embarrassed about my age, though it would be better if I was half of it! As you are interested!... I`ll be 64 on the 1/1/12. ........................ Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Baron Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Meddo, Is it Dacron and did you clean with solvent before sticking the numbers on?......Just interested!!!Frank. Hi Frank, They are dacron and no i didn't clean them with solvent as they hadn't had any armourall or anything like that put on them. Cheers Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Baron Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Geof, Unfortunately painting numbers on with the wing attached to the AC is a pain in the neck, literally!....I make my own skins and paint the numbers on after I`ve assembled the wing, but before I attach it to the aircraft,this way the fabric is tight and I`m not breaking my neck, having to looking up!....It seems a lot of trouble,but if you have someone to help you remove the wing, you`ll be much better off.Skin lifespan: When I was instructing and flying a lot of hrs, 3 to 3 1/2 years, max!...These days I don`t fly as much so it`s not exposed to the sun as much!...The current set is coming up to 4 years and still in good condition. By the way: I make my wing skins in 2 seperate sections , much easier to construct!... I`ve put an extra rib in the middle end and this allows me to pull each wing tightly together and get a tighter wing, also to retighten later if required! Frank. Hi Frank, The elevator, rudder,and horizontal stabilizer skins on my Gemini are original 1986, the only reason i changed the wing skins was because i wanted 17 battens instead of 9. Having said that my aircraft has always been in a hangar and covered , which i think makes a big difference. Cheers Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farri Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Hi Frank, The elevator, rudder,and horizontal stabilizer skins on my Gemini are original 1986, the only reason i changed the wing skins was because i wanted 17 battens instead of 9. Having said that my aircraft has always been in a hangar and covered , which i think makes a big difference. Cheers Steve. G`Day Steve, Well done!...Wish I could get that life span,here! Being covered certainly would make a big difference and the darker the hanger,the better, but it also depends on the hours flown and the intensity of the sun, as hrs flown = hrs in full UV. I`ve always used UV protection...... Initaly I was buying AP303 from Wayne Fisher but I decided to try Armourall on this last set......I realy don`t know if it makes much difference!!! Cheers, Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyfox1 Posted August 23, 2011 Author Share Posted August 23, 2011 Hi Frank l have just purchased some AP 303 from Wayne he said to put in on every three months . also he said if l want to make my skin last just paint the top with an type of paint the only thing was if l needed to remove them it would not be easy. Have you had much improvement with the skins lasting longer by using AP303. cheers Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Baron Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 G`Day Steve, Well done!...Wish I could get that life span,here!Being covered certainly would make a big difference and the darker the hanger,the better, but it also depends on the hours flown and the intensity of the sun, as hrs flown = hrs in full UV. I`ve always used UV protection...... Initaly I was buying AP303 from Wayne Fisher but I decided to try Armourall on this last set......I realy don`t know if it makes much difference!!! Cheers, Frank. Hi Frank, I have used both Ap303 and Armourall on my skins i think it's much of a muchness. I put my rego numbers on before i used UV treatment on the skins. The Gemini has 760 hrs on it and it would not have spent much time in direct sunlight in the heat of the day. Cheers Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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