When to remove protective wrap on aluminum skins?

Discussions for ULPower engines.

When to remove protective wrap on aluminum skins?

Postby sonex1678 » Fri Mar 11, 2016 10:12 am

I am wondering what other have done with the plastic wrap on their skins during the build--remove when building or leave on until as long as possible for protection? I have left mine on so far, but wonder if there is a reason to remove such as the wrap being a moisture trap.

Any thoughts and/or experiences would be appreciated. I live in FL so moisture may be more of a concern for me than for others....

Doug
Douglas B Scripture
Sonex 1678
sonex1678
 
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 4:09 pm
Location: Melbourne, FL

Re: When to remove protective wrap on aluminum skins?

Postby fastj22 » Fri Mar 11, 2016 10:45 am

Not sure when the best time is but I can say that if you wait several years, it becomes very difficult to remove. The plastic gets brittle with age and comes off in little pieces.

John Gillis
SEL Private, Comm Glider, Tow pilot (Pawnee Driver)
Waiex N116YX, Jabiru 3300, Tail dragger,
First flight, 3/16/2013. 403 hours and climbing.
Home: CO15. KOSH x 5
Flying a B-Model Conversion (Super Bee Baby!)
User avatar
fastj22
 
Posts: 1594
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:56 pm
Location: Mile High

Re: When to remove protective wrap on aluminum skins?

Postby Bryan Cotton » Fri Mar 11, 2016 1:50 pm

Doug,
If you are painting for sure pull it off now. If you are polishing there is some benefit for leaving it on for a bit. I had left it on my ruddervator skins except for a strip on the rivet line. That is a pain. On the flaps, ailerons, and tank cover I took it off after I trimmed the parts. That is probably optimal.
Bryan Cotton
Poplar Grove, IL C77
Waiex 191 N191YX
Taildragger, Aerovee, acro ailerons
dual sticks with sport trainer controls
Prebuilt spars and machined angle kit
Year 2 flying and approaching 200 hours December 23
User avatar
Bryan Cotton
 
Posts: 4953
Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:54 pm
Location: C77

Re: When to remove protective wrap on aluminum skins?

Postby sonex1678 » Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:57 pm

Thanks for the responses--I had only removed the wrap where riveting needed to be done, but will now remove the remaining wrap to eliminate any moisture trapping or difficulty removing it later....

Doug
Douglas B Scripture
Sonex 1678
sonex1678
 
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 4:09 pm
Location: Melbourne, FL

Re: When to remove protective wrap on aluminum skins?

Postby MichaelFarley56 » Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:41 pm

I agree with John. It's up to you when to pull off the wrap just don't wait until it's all dry because then it's a pain to remove! I found that a heat gun helped a little but it's still a pain. If you want to protect the skins keep doing what you're doing; remove the wrap around the rivets and leave the rest on for now.
Mike Farley
Waiex #0056 - N569KM
Jabiru 3300A #1706
MGL Panel
MichaelFarley56
 
Posts: 1470
Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:38 pm
Location: Columbus, Ohio


Return to ULPower

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest