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Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Tom Niebuhr on July 16, 2015, 01:00:35 PM

Title: Easy Stripping Method
Post by: Tom Niebuhr on July 16, 2015, 01:00:35 PM

This is the “Jet Falcon”, built by John D’Ottavio in 1967. It was never finished.   It is in bad shape but I am using it as a “Template” to reproduce it.

I  am stripping the wing from my “JD Falcon” kit prototype airplane. This wing is identical to the "Jet Falcon " wing.

 I have to thank Mike Scott and the late Bob Gieseke for the stripping method. The airplane was dope and auto clear coat.

Using a heat gun and pliers, to help avoid the heat on your hands, the covering comes up clean to the bare wood!  Just a light sanding with 220 or 320 paper and it is ready to go just like a new wing!

Title: Re: Easy Stripping Method
Post by: wwwarbird on July 18, 2015, 09:46:08 PM

 Looks like it works pretty slick, but how much can you trust the glue in the structure afterwards?

Title: Re: Easy Stripping Method
Post by: Tom Niebuhr on July 19, 2015, 10:35:34 AM

Wayne,
Both Bob Gieseke and Mike Scott have used this method on several rebuilds and never had a glue joint failure. The JD Falcon wing that I am stripping has very good glue joints, The center section of these wings are also double planked and these wings have never had a wing fold like we have seen recently in some modern airplanes.

I have absolutely no fear in using this wing again.