HOW TO DECIDE IF IT IS TIME TO REPLACE FABRIC?

J

JUANGRODRIGUEZ

New member
My Partner and me have had this 1975 7ECA we bought back in 1995. We have enjoyed it for years but the paint and fabric do not look as healthy as back in 1995.
We are wondering about who could we approach to have the airplane inspected again by someone more knowledable on fabric airplanes to see if we should just paint again or redo the whole fabric covering.
We would rather find a good shop in Texas to help us evaluate our situation? any ideas?
Thank you
 
Most fabric gets replaced because it's cosmetically shot, or because the structure underneath is rusty, rotten or bent. It's just about impossible for dacron fabrics (Ceconite, Stits, Superflite, etc) to fail strength tests, because they're based on the strength of cotton. If your fabric is original, that makes it 32 years old. You may be able to doll it up and make it pretty if you have Ceconite/dope finish, but anything with enamel is going to involve cracking of the finish, and that's really hard to hide with more paint. Also, there will likely be rusting of the fuselage mostly at the tail end due to moisture trapped there in three point attitude. It's nice to see in there every 20-30 years, depending on where and how it's stored.
 
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