Rejuvenating Dope???

J

jao1972

New member
Anybody have any luck rejuvenating old dope? Considering removing flaking paint and dope and doing partial fills. Where the dope is still well adhered, planning on using a rejuvenator to bring it back to life before doing a full repaint. Heard plusses and minuses.
 
You might try contacting Roger Lehnert - he's a former Randolph employee, and he currently works as a tech for Superflite. His email address is roger@superflite.com. He can probably give you some very sound advice.

Molly
Superflite, Inc.
800-323-0611
 
Molly thank you so much for responding and the contact info for Roger. I will definitely get in touch with him. I applogize for the delay in getting back to you. I've kind of let this project die. As spring approaches, I need to get back on it. Thanks again so much for you input!
 
I used Randolph rejuvinator on a 1979 Citabria. Most of the dope was original, some was from repairs. It is time consuming but for local cracks and ringworm it certainly softened and knitted the old dope back together. I haven't recoated the areas because it is still a bit chilly but as soon as it warms up I will overcoat with colour and things should look fine again.

I would only use it for small areas, if you have a large problem, bite the bullet and recover !
 
jao1972 said:
Molly thank you so much for responding and the contact info for Roger. I will definitely get in touch with him. I applogize for the delay in getting back to you. I've kind of let this project die. As spring approaches, I need to get back on it. Thanks again so much for you input!
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Please contact me directly regarding the rejuvenation process- probably best to call me (267) 970-3244 to disuss your individual aircraft. I've done it many times- on components and the entire aircraft. Look foreward to speaking with you!
 
I just wanted to let everybody out here know that I talked to Roger at Superflite today (email and phone number in this string), and he gave me some really great advice! He was most helpful and informative-he walked me through the whole flake repair, crack repair, rejuvenating and repainting process. He even offered to have my mechanic talk directly with him. Again, so much great advice, information, and what a commitment to service! I just can't thank Roger and Superflite enough!!! Thank you so much Molly for offering Roger up to the wolves!

Roger, do you have a link to your website with your airshow pictures? I'd like to see a picture of you landing your cub on a truck!
 
Mike, thank you for your input here. After talking with Roger at Superlflite, I can see why you say limit it to small areas. Can be done for the whole thing, but the labor hours seem like they would be about the same just to recover. I've got a lot to think about! Oh, if you've got any questions, Roger would be a great resource for you.
 
I am not used to using this forum, so I hope it works for me. I have a plane with newer wings and recently covered control surfaces. The top of the fuselage has some cracking. I was very excited to see some info, especially somebody to contact. Alas, the phone and email for "Roger" do not work. Any suggestions out there?
 
Roger has left Superflite. I'm not sure where he is now. You can probably just contact Superflite and ask to speak with one of their sales or technical reps. Here's what their website has

"If you have any questions or comments, you can contact us through any of the following methods:

3701 Hwy 162
Granite City, IL 62040
By phone: 800-323-0611 or
618-797-3140
By fax: 618-931-0613
e-mail: sales@superflite.com"
 
I used the rejuvenation process on a 1979 cgaa. It looked good and seem to work great. But then I got caught in a hail storm in sunriver, oregon. The wings and all control surfaces ringwormed and cracked the paint clear down to the fabric. I had recovered the fuselage completely and the hail did not affect it at all. This was the same hail storm that got 60 airplanes of Columbia Aircraft and even totalled at least one cessna 182. From this experience I would not rejuvenate again. You simply don't gain enough for the effort and may end up where you started. If you want to see pictures of what hail does to rejuvenated fabric send me your email address.
 
Wow, I hadn't thought about that. That does make sense. I am sorry to hear that about your plane. I know the rejuvenation was not cheap. I would be interested in seeing the photos jaoiii@gmail.com
 
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