Grumman wing patching

dwalt

dwalt

Pre-takeoff checklist
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DWalt
Just noticed this on the wing of our tiger today. Recommendations on how to patch it?

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Contact one of the following (in no particular order):

  • David Fletcher at Fletchair in Comfort TX
  • John Sjaardema at Excel-Air in Renssalaer IN
  • Loyd Montague at TrueFlight in Valdosta GA
  • Ken Blackman at AirMods N.W. in Granite Falls WA
All easy to find on the internet. Whoever's closest is probably best, and if you're in Atlanta, that's probably Loyd.

And please tell whoever you talk to that I sent you.
 
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It is hard for anyone to diagnose from a picture, but what happened here?

-Skip
 
Most likely someone stepped off the wing walk and unto the wing, denting it. The dent was pulled and filler was used to level the damaged area. The filler popped off.
 
dwalt said:
Bingo



Will this work if I just fill it in then file it down?
Click to expand...

Yes, and then no. The metal underneath is oxidizing, and that's why the bondo came off. If you grind it out, and fill it the same thing will happen again eventually. You don't need a Grumman specialist for this, just a good body man.

Filler on airplanes is an art, and in this case, there is a lot of filler there, and it's just going to crack again. Plane wings flex, and they dry out, then get humid, then dry, etc. Any movement of the metal under the bondo will cause it to crack. Also, most all bondo fillers contract with age, and in dry conditions.

Talk to a very good body man, and have him work with a product like this: http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Fillers/fillers.html. There are many types, and vendors, just let the body guy use what he's comfy with. The micro-balloons, do not contract and dry out as much as old type putty fillers when mixed right.

BTW, he'll prolly chip and grind back a much larger section to get good underlay, don't be surprised if you see it and the patch is much larger than what you see now.
 
Well I made a temporary fix with some aluminum tape and GM #12 White Pickup Truck spray paint. At least it will keep water out for now. It looks like the initial damage was from someone stepping on the wing and they just repaired it with bondo. I'm going to try and get it to a shop in the next couple of weeks for a repair. Can't wait to see what this one will cost
 
dwalt said:
Well I made a temporary fix with some aluminum tape and GM #12 White Pickup Truck spray paint. At least it will keep water out for now. It looks like the initial damage was from someone stepping on the wing and they just repaired it with bondo. I'm going to try and get it to a shop in the next couple of weeks for a repair. Can't wait to see what this one will cost
Click to expand...


It "should" be less then 15,000 dollars.....:yikes:.....;)..
 
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