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wing cleaning Q
It will be a while before I get to this -----
If I want to clean the inside surfaces of the wings (the spars and the ribs and all that)----
I am assuming that to do any real job I would have to take the wing completely apart so the parts
could be cleaned individually--- and the overlap portions could be properly cleaned.
I know I have a few bent ribs from previous rough handling in storage.... and a LOT of dirty dusty grime
in there. Once I get the fabric off--- would something like a soap up with diluted Dawn liquid and then a rinse
and then maybe a pressure wash on a low pressure setting be an OK first step before taking everything apart ?
Ideally I would like to get everything clean enough to do a complete check for any corrosion and then chromate or epoxy prime every part in there. I expect mostly what I am seeing is just 20 years of dust and dirt buildup while in storage. But on the other hand--- that can also hold moisture and cause surface corrosion. Am I on the right track ?
One of the previous owners covered them and was about to cover the fuse and tail feathers--- but he got
cancer and had to back off on the project---- so it just sat and passed through 2 more owners over that
20 yrs.
I just don't see how any of that could be cleaned with any completeness without taking it apart.....
(plus--- Im not that impressed with that guy's work from what I've seen of it so far-- kind of sloppy )
Just wanted to verify that Im in the right ballpark on my thinking .
Tim
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Re: wing cleaning Q
Tim
when I removed the fabric on my wings I had enough flies and grime in there to alter the W&B( exaggerating),
"Once I get the fabric off--- would something like a soap up with diluted Dawn liquid and then a rinse
and then maybe a pressure wash on a low pressure setting be an OK first step before taking everything apart ?"
Yep
a paint brush with a pail of soapy water worked best- Very time consuming-Hours and hoursd-but I didn't break anything and as you are doing the cleaning you are also doing a visual inspection...
hope this helps
Shane-o
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Re: wing cleaning Q
I use safety solvent, quick and no fear of introducing water into the structure.
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Re: wing cleaning Q
AT----
Yes-- that's an idea too--- I have never used that --- is it non-flammable I assume ? I do have a nice
devillebiss wand solvent sprayer that might be good for that ! I think the water would be a concern----
Of coarse it IS 100 degrees here in the summertime--- Might bake out ok---- but water is NOT aluminum's friend !
Would you suggest a particular brand of solvent ? Would you try to catch it in a metal floor drip pan and filter and recycle ?
Tim
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Re: wing cleaning Q
What I use comes From Parker solvents in fort smith, Safety solvent is all I know, never got the MSDS. Be sure and wear gloves/ventilation use drip pans, it cleans really good and is fairly reasonable. got a rash from it this winter cleaning out a v-35 that was filthy.
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Re: wing cleaning Q
I saw a lot of non-flamable solvent that is water based--- pretty sure I dont want that----
I think I want 100% petrolium based--- I saw one that said it was designed to completely evaporate and could be
used to pre-clean before painting. Seem like that would be ideas as it would leave nothing behind to cause long term corrosion. (cant remember which one it was now-----)
T