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Author Topic: Shrinking polyspan  (Read 2685 times)

Jim Roselle

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Shrinking polyspan
« on: May 06, 2017, 04:09:12 PM »
My last few builds I have started using polyspan and dope instead of monokote. I use a hardware store heat gun to shrink it and invariably get pinholes if not complete blow throughs because the gun is way to hot. Can I shrink polyspan effectively with a monokote iron or do I need to purchase a monokote gun? What are other people using?

Thanks,
 Jim

Rick_Huff

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2017, 04:11:47 PM »
Jim,
In my experience, an iron works perfectly.
Rick

Offline Dan McEntee

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2017, 04:51:36 PM »
     You can blow holes in any covering with a hobby heat gun also if you don't get the hang of using them. I use an iron for most work like that also. All the irons aren't the same, though. After trying several that I find cheap at swap meets and such, I think I like the Coverite/Century21 version the best.
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Offline Paul Smith

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2017, 08:23:11 AM »
I've noticed the grain opening up a bit when I shrink Polyspan, too. 

I don't blame the heat gun.  With good finesse you can get the temp right with a combination of distance & time.

I'm thinking of doing a better job sanding out every imperfection of the structure so I don't damage the covering during installation.
Paul Smith

Offline jfv

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2017, 12:45:31 PM »
I use an iron all the time with polyspan.  Works great especially around the wing tips.
Jim Vigani

Offline john e. holliday

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2017, 10:21:00 AM »
Don't shrink Poly-Span using hot air gun.  Even if you do make a hole in it a scrap piece doped over the hole will disappeared with more coats of dope. 
John E. "DOC" Holliday
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Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2017, 12:31:42 PM »
Keep the gun moving.

This is the rule for 'coat, too -- watch the film, move the gun away when it starts to shrink, and have an idea of how long you can dwell on any one spot before Bad Things happen.  A 'coat gun may be nicer, but a shop gun should work.
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Offline Mike Haverly

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2017, 07:21:23 PM »
Guess I'm doing things wrong again.  I rarely use an iron but use my hot air gun all the time.  My stuff usually turns our OK though.  Whatever works for the user is the one to use.
Mike

Offline Sean McEntee

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2017, 02:05:36 PM »
     I use a monokote heat gun and echo what was previously mentioned:  keep the gun moving.  Not meaning to "finger wave" but work slowly and don't get things too hot.

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2017, 06:58:12 PM »
My stuff usually turns our OK though.

Yes, like, the judges have to get their eyeballs to within 9 inches of your finish to find flaws.
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Offline RknRusty

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2017, 08:20:45 PM »
A tip I learned from watching Sparky cover a wing with Polyspan is to repair blowouts with silkspan instead of poly. It hides the repair better.
Rusty
DON'T PANIC!
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while you're doing it!

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Offline john e. holliday

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2017, 10:24:49 AM »
I dare you to find my repairs after too much heat left a hole.  I tear the poly-span just like you would do with silk span.   
John E. "DOC" Holliday
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Shawnee, KANSAS  66203
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Offline RknRusty

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Re: Shrinking polyspan
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2017, 07:01:56 PM »
I dare you to find my repairs after too much heat left a hole.
Okay, Doc, you're on. It's Heat Guns, Dope and brushes at High Noon! LL~
DON'T PANIC!
Rusty Knowlton
... and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!

Jackson Flyers Association (a.k.a. The Wildcat Rangers(C/L))- Fort Jackson, SC
Metrolina Control Line Society (MCLS) - Huntersville, NC - The Carolina Gang
Congaree Flyers - Gaston, SC -  http://www.congareeflyer.com
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