Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jim Belcher on June 17, 2009 at 3:30pm

I've used both the "peel off" and "paint on" wing walk compound. I have a slight preference for the "paint on" as far as adherence is concerned. Also, I found it hard to work with the "peel off" variety. I just couldn't maneuver it into place without getting it stuck in the wrong place. That will be a consideration for decals also.

I simply don't know what adhesives are used with any certainty, but the decals I've seen appear to have a different backing than wing walk. My guess is that it's a different adhesive, but I don't know that for an absolute fact. It does tend to demonstrate that there is one adhesive which appears to reliably adhere to aircraft surfaces.

I wonder if one could get some candidate decal samples, and test them in a mini-wind tunnel? It would be necessary to test them over a fairly wide temeperature range at the same time.

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Permalink Reply by Vann Covington on June 17, 2009 at 10:49pm

There is a vinyl shop in almost every city. The best reassurance that I can think of is to just go and talk to one of them, and take a look at the product and some of their installations first hand. I am sure you will be as impressed as I was.
Vann

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Permalink Reply by Vann Covington on June 18, 2009 at 10:10am

If anyone is looking for a tow bar to fit their standard 701, the tow bar that fits a Grumman Yankee fits the 701 nose wheel. Sporty's sells it for $49.00.
Vann

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Permalink Reply by Don Burkholder on June 28, 2009 at 9:44am

Top Fuel Funny cars and TF Rail cars go well over 300 MPH while producing high heat, intense vibration and flexing of the body surfaces all with some amazing vinyl applications. I am in the process of polishing the entire surface my 701 with the idea of having graphics applied to certain ares and will be looking at this vinyl concept vs paint further when the time comes to "complete" my plane. Thanks Don

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Permalink Reply by Jim Belcher on June 29, 2009 at 2:59pm

Please keep us informed. I don't know what your time frame may be, but it will be a while before I do finish work, and I would no doubt benefit from your experiences.

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Permalink Reply by Marcel de Vlieger ( "the Flyer") on July 27, 2009 at 11:12pm

I have applied large vinyle to the entire fuse and upper and lower wing to new paint. So far there in no problem of peeling in heat. i do not know about winter though. Application is difficult , you will need lots fo soaply water and patience. There is also no fading fo color yet as my airplane sits outside in the sun.

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Permalink Reply by Marcel de Vlieger ( "the Flyer") on September 27, 2009 at 10:47pm

I used all Vinyle on my aircraft and it seems to be holding out. It is a lot of work to put on a large Vinyl, it took me a week. you will have to see what the company says about warranty especially the red as in fades the most.

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Permalink Reply by Vann Covington on September 28, 2009 at 8:17am

Haven't painted my 701 yet. I am thinking of a base paint, then a vinyl design over that. Why didn't you get a vinyl shop to do the work?
Vann Covington

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Permalink Reply by Vann Covington on September 28, 2009 at 8:50am

Heinz,
A vinyl shop in my area quoted me about 2000 for the whole plane. Maybe your shop just didn't want to do the job. I have spoken to one that was very excited about the project. If you are still interested, I would shop around. It might be good advertising for them if they were allowed to sight their shop in a small area of your plane, say under the horizontal stabilizer.
Vann Covington

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Permalink Reply by Jim Belcher on September 29, 2009 at 4:13pm

So far, I'm getting a little dubious of this approach for me. It doesn't sound as though it's going to be that much easier to apply than paint, and the cost doesn't sound that good. I was thinking in terms of doing a background paint, and maybe just putting vinyl trim on. So, for me, I'd still need to do some painting. It may turn out that, by the time I set things up to do some painting, I might as well do the whole aircraft.

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Permalink Reply by Vann Covington on September 29, 2009 at 6:32pm

Jim, My first notion was to vinyl the whole plane unpainted, and it would probably turn out ok, at least that is what the vinyl people have said. It would certainly be a first. However I think that I will do a background of paint, and to the rest over the paint in vinyl. It really all depends on what design you want. Any curvey designs or pictures are very difficult to do with paint. Vinyl makes more since in these cases. I feel the plane needs a little more protection than a complete vinyl wrap would give, unless it was wrapped over paint.
Vann

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Permalink Reply by Kevin and Jackie Kellett on December 1, 2009 at 7:58pm

I just received some 4" x 4" samples and a color chart of smaller samples from FLX Paint. They are beautiful!! I intend to try them on my rudder over the bare aluminum with a real good cleaning first, over some rivets and tight curves to see how much adhesion there is, and how easy to apply the material might be (and removal). With any luck I will post some pictures. The company says that their product adheres well to painted surfaces but that it should be equally as good on clean bare aluminum. www.flxpaint.com

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