tailcreek_flyer
Active Member
Several months ago, my son and I decided to trim out my polished RV9A with red wrap on the usual fiberglass parts and leading edges of the flying surfaces. Both of us have worked with vinyl a lot in the past, mostly in the graphics world and lately some large vehicle advertising projects that my son has taken on. We work really well together and know when each other are getting close to the "edge". We know where the buttons are and never push them.
Well, I have to say our work has progressed quite well so far as we have taken on the low hanging fruit (easy stuff) as we get to know 3M 1080 characteristics. Then came two pieces that have tested us to the end. The lower half of my IO360 cowling with the big induction snout and the spinner. The spinner has come ridiculously close to being done 4 times but the vinyl gives out in the last few stretches. We are trying to do it one piece of carbon fiber wrap, not wanting a seam. I am thinking this is impossible to achieve. Has anyone any experience with this?
The lower half of the cowling simply can't be done with one piece of vinyl. It has too many curves to manage. We want to minimize the number of seams but whats acceptable and whats excessive? I figure 4 pieces of vinyl would easily do it, son figures two. Again, anyone else have an experience to share?
I know the pro's who post to the forum can tell me the answer but I'm sure that given the homebuilder mentality to do as much as they can on a build, they are not the only ones out trying their hands at this process.
Regards
Cam Andres
C-FTLL RV9A, engine running, waiting for Transport Canada and MD-RA final
Paid for 2014
Well, I have to say our work has progressed quite well so far as we have taken on the low hanging fruit (easy stuff) as we get to know 3M 1080 characteristics. Then came two pieces that have tested us to the end. The lower half of my IO360 cowling with the big induction snout and the spinner. The spinner has come ridiculously close to being done 4 times but the vinyl gives out in the last few stretches. We are trying to do it one piece of carbon fiber wrap, not wanting a seam. I am thinking this is impossible to achieve. Has anyone any experience with this?
The lower half of the cowling simply can't be done with one piece of vinyl. It has too many curves to manage. We want to minimize the number of seams but whats acceptable and whats excessive? I figure 4 pieces of vinyl would easily do it, son figures two. Again, anyone else have an experience to share?
I know the pro's who post to the forum can tell me the answer but I'm sure that given the homebuilder mentality to do as much as they can on a build, they are not the only ones out trying their hands at this process.
Regards
Cam Andres
C-FTLL RV9A, engine running, waiting for Transport Canada and MD-RA final
Paid for 2014