Covering with Oratex

[sherrre]

Thanks. I’ma few years away from covering but happy to know that help is available.

[rodsmith]

Your detailed photos of the process should help others that want to use Oratex. Great that you could get some professional covering help. The fuselage to tail transition is tricky no matter what process you are using. I used one piece each side for the side of the fuselage and tail. Thought I had cut leaving plenty of margin, just barely was able to pull enough fabric to get around the leading edge of the vertical tail. I have used Polyfiber for one project and Stewarts for the Bearhawk. I prefer Stewarts for its superior glue and ease of taping tight curves, and especially the advantages of not needing breathing air for the primers/topcoats. If I was to do another project (doubtful) I wouldn't hesitate to use Oratex, like you said, it is a huge time saver.

[Utah-Jay]

Pm me for details on her contact. She prefers legacy. I will say she is an absolute artist as she “helped” with my buddies Carbon Cub and it is perfect

[sherrre]

Do you have contact information for the covering expert that you can share? Does she only help with Oratex or any covering system?

[Utah-Jay]

Oratex scares a lot of people, so I am gonna tell my story.

It is expensive to purchase the fabric, but doing the math with a buddy covering a Kitfox with legacy fabric and paint, it is a complete wash in total cost. So cost is not an issue. Your time is much less, as in a few hundred hours less with Oratex.

Time? Oratex wins every time in the time it takes to complete compared to the legacy with fabric application, primer, paint and then don’t forget the sanding in between stages.

There are two compound curves on each side of the Bearhawk fuselage that gave me problems, but knowing how to deal with them now it would be a total non-issue.

The tail feathers took a lot of time and patience due to the curved shapes, but once I got the hang of it it was easy. I am guessing any covering system for a first timer like me is going to be very challenging in the beginning. I did start on a horizontal stabilizer and it was terrible. I stripped it off and I hired a covering expert for two days of lessons, she does a lot of work for the Patey’s, and the lessons I learn were invaluable!!! Best money I could have ever spent.

I would highly recommend Oratex with a caveat, Oratex is not a show plane finish. If you want the wet look, go legacy. If you want a super durable fabric that is easy to patch? Go oratex!

So would I use Oratex again? You bet I would.

If anyone is on the fence about which system to use, I will be happy to help as much as possible.