Oratex over polyfiber

[avidflyer]

Another thing to possibly consider with the UV blocking may be this. If you do the 3 cross coats that Polyfiber requires for the full amount of UV protection, the plane can probably sit outside for 30 years and the fabric should still be good. My Kitfox and Avid Flyer never go out of the hangar except to fly, and probably that is likely true for most Kitfox owners. Certainly very few leave their planes parked outside long term. That all being said, how much UV protection is really needed? Maybe it's not that big of an issue?? JImChuk

[buckchop]

Call them up in Anchorage at Better Aircraft fabric and ask about the book, usually it giving out with THEIR sale of the fabric to THEIR customers. The Class was offererd to me cause i bought fabric and had no experience and they was try to promote the fabric some more in Fairbanks that was in 2017.
If this site was easier for a none computer guy to use to post pic id show u guys some pic of the installs ive done, the aftermath of the Oratex from the 30x50 steel hanger roof that squashed the 47 pa12 and 4 of our hotrods/muscle cars, with 1hr of flyin time on new build, bent it like u cant even dream up, totally unbeliveable if u cn it, and there was only 1 rip in the fabric on the whole plane. First time ive ever cn my 82yr old Dad cry in my 50yrs, and i did lots mysef.
Soooooo here i am again rebuilding the rebuild.

[jiott]

Interesting responses. The sunglasses comment is interesting and probably very valid. If there are clear liquids that can filter out all UV, I wonder why Polyfiber doesn't use something like that instead of 6 coats of silver Polyspray?
Has Oratex really been used on aircraft in Europe since 2002 or 2003? If so I wasn't aware of that and stand corrected. I am aware of its use on RC models (used it myself) since at least 2018, probably earlier.
I was only giving my personal, probably old-fashioned, doubts about Oratex; not really suggesting that a new product be tested for 20 years before being offered, especially in our experimental world.

[jrevens]

Interesting responses. The sunglasses comment is interesting and probably very valid. If there are clear liquids that can filter out all UV, I wonder why Polyfiber doesn't use something like that instead of 6 coats of silver Polyspray?
Has Oratex really been used on aircraft in Europe since 2002 or 2003? If so I wasn't aware of that and stand corrected. I am aware of its use on RC models (used it myself) since at least 2018, probably earlier.
I was only giving my personal, probably old-fashioned, doubts about Oratex; not really suggesting that a new product be tested for 20 years before being offered, especially in our experimental world.

Oratex started out making model covering systems first. I believe (I might be wrong) that the product sold for our aircraft, at least the 6000, isn’t the same product as that used on models. It is a polyester fabric, like Ceconite, PolyFiber, etc., but a different formulation and weave. It has a considerably higher safe and usable temperature range and supposedly has greater puncture and tear resistance.

[Clark in AZ]

I used Oratex on my SuperSTOL and would do it again in a heartbeat.

This alone sold me on Oratex...



When I think of Poly Fiber I think Hindenburg. Fire is my worst nightmare in flight. So, I love that Oratex is self extinguishing or at least close. If Poly Fiber catches fire you're in trouble. In any case, I have a chance of surviving a fire in flight with Oratex.

Another factor was the toughness.

You can't do this with Poly Fiber...



Check out all the other advantages of this stuff...

https://betteraircraftfabric.com/advantages.html

YMMV,

Clark

[109JB]

When I think of Poly Fiber I think Hindenburg. Fire is my worst nightmare in flight. So, I love that Oratex is self extinguishing or at least close. If Poly Fiber catches fire you're in trouble. In any case, I have a chance of surviving a fire in flight with Oratex.

Lets stick with true facts...Polyfiber does not burn. That video was likely nitrate or butyrate dope.

[taff]

Lets stick with true facts...Polyfiber does not burn. That video was likely nitrate or butyrate dope.

I'm 100% with you.

And if we look at the PolyFiber manual, they say there is no dope in Polyfiber.
Why do people still call it dope? Tough to get the old vocabulary out of the way.

Can you even buy dope these days?
Another question. If you cover with Oratex, can you reinforce tape and rib lace?

[jrevens]

... If there are clear liquids that can filter out all UV, I wonder why Polyfiber doesn't use something like that instead of 6 coats of silver Polyspray? ...

Those products have to be periodically re-applied, but I just mentioned it to note that there are other ways to block UV than silver paint. The 303 Aerospace Protectant would also basically eliminate the possibility of any paint being applied afterwards... it is very slippery and really gets into the surface.

[motortommy]

after receiving some sample fabric (silver) I also will most probably go with Oratex...
Maybe interesting read for some of you: https://www.lanitz-aviation.com/certificates.html

[4Hummer]

Oratex for sure. Once it's applied you're DONE. The Poly-Fiber system your not even half way there.

Nope First you brush on poly brush and stink up the place with toxic MEK,
then Spray on a few coats of poly bush (more stink, more MEK)
than spray a few coats of poly UV blocker (Yup more stink and MEK poisoning)
wet sand
Spray more UV blocker, (more MEK.... And by now your loathing the clean up process... which uses yup MEK the toxic stuff that will kill you)
wet sand
repeat the above a few more times..... and wonder to yourself why all the grass and animals are dying around your painting area..
wet sand
coat of colour. (you no longer have finger prints left as they have been melted off by the MEK)
wet sand
another coat of colour,
wet sand polish
Final coat of Colour (By now you have killed half your brain cells, and made yourself to retarded to fly... thanks to the MEK)
wet sand
realize you just spent WEEKS painting and sanding, And swear next time your switching to Oratex