Poly Fiber or Stewart covering system??

[southwind32]

Looking for pros and cons on the above systems. I was planning on using the Poly Fiber process, but the more I learn about the Stewart system, the more I'm considering it. What's your experience.
Thanks
Brian

[jmodguy]

I am not a fan of MEK. Used it enough and if theres an alternative, its worth it.
I am using Stewarts on my Kitfox. Its easy to use and there are no hazardous fumes. You can actually attach the fabric and roll the primer in your living room and no one will smell anything!

[Clark in AZ]

Subscribed! :D

[Geowitz]

I used Stewarts. I love it. I love the glue and ekofill. So easy to work with. All non toxic and you can start and stop at pretty much any point in the process. Just tidy up the glue joints/fill layer you've initiated, put the cap on the bottle, and walk away. Paint was a little tricky, but no more than any other paint. You just have to follow the directions. After experiencing both covering systems for me Stewarts is so much more home builder friendly. Like I said above, it's just so easy to stop anywhere and pick right back up where you left off whether it's the next day or 2 weeks later. And it's not one of those products that claims to be "non toxic and eco friendly", but is inferior compared to it's traditional competition. It works just as well as any other covering system and covers all of the specs for STC'd covering.

I believe all of their instructional videos are on YouTube. Makes it real easy to learn the process.

[Cherrybark]

Brian,

You probably already know Stewart sells a fabric "practice" kit with everything you need to cover a small test panel. I purchased the kit before deciding to use Oratex. If you are interested in trying it, PM your address and I'll ship it to you. Probably has to go via Ground so it will take a few days.

http://www.stewartsystems.aero/products/479/fabric-practice-kit

[southwind32]

Brian,

You probably already know Stewart sells a fabric "practice" kit with everything you need to cover a small test panel. I purchased the kit before deciding to use Oratex. If you are interested in trying it, PM your address and I'll ship it to you. Probably has to go via Ground so it will take a few days.

http://www.stewartsystems.aero/products/479/fabric-practice-kit

Thank You...........I sent you a private message.

[aviator79]

Polyfiber sells a similar kit. You can buy it from Aircraft Spruce. You could get a legit side-by-side comparison and report back.
link to polyfiber kit (http://m.aircraftspruce.com/categories/building_materials/bm/menus/cs/polyfiber_practice.html)

[fathom]

Anyone know if there’s an issue using the Stewart system with the poly fiber fabric? Having some trouble finding an official answer on that.

[southwind32]

Anyone know if there’s an issue using the Stewart system with the poly fiber fabric? Having some trouble finding an official answer on that.

From what I was told, the Stewart system is fine to use, it's all basically the same fabric. Just call Stewart and they'll tell you in a second. I'm hoping to attend a 3 day covering course on the Stewart system in Southern Ca the first part of Dec. I've done several fabric covering jobs over the years, but never with the Stewart system, looking forward to it.
Brian

[chefwarthog]

I haven’t got the chance to work with one or the other but my friend has. the first time that he work with the Stewart system it was really great and easy the second time it was in a different hanger and the heating system was in oil fuel one and some little droplets of Oil or oily soot deposit on the surface. it repel the water base product making littles fish eyes on the surface so if you are using a water base system be careful of the heating system that you choose because it can be frustrating.:mad:

[southwind32]

I haven’t got the chance to work with one or the other but my friend has. the first time that he work with the Stewart system it was really great and easy the second time it was in a different hanger and the heating system was in oil fuel one and some little droplets of Oil or oily soot deposit on the surface. it repel the water base product making littles fish eyes on the surface so if you are using a water base system be careful of the heating system that you choose because it can be frustrating.:mad:

They stress a clean environment. Also lots of clean air from the compressor.

[Rodney]

Getting droplets of oil on the surface you are trying to paint will screw up ANY paint system. Doesn't matter if its Acrylic Enamel, Lacquer, Polyfiber or Imron.

So please don't blame the paint system. A paint job is about 9 parts preparation and 1 part spraying. And even then it can sometimes get you.

Funny story (wasn't funny at the time). A friend was painting his tail feathers. But every time he rolled the airplane out in the sun, the color on the tail feathers just would not match up with the ailerons and parts of the wing. So roll the airplane back in the hanger, sand it all off, re-prime it and do it again... No kidding, he did this at least five times before he discovered the problem and got it fixed. Talk about perserverence.

I think painting, unlike any other thing we do may be considered an art form.
For me, it's one of the hardest things to get right.

Rodney

[jiott]

This is strictly my opinion so take it for what its worth: I like long term tried and true stuff that has shown an extremely successful track record for 50 years on fabric covered airplanes-the Stits Polyfiber system. I don't believe any other fabric [U]system[U] can boast of a record near this long. Covering and painting an aircraft is a very labor intensive and expensive project and I only want to do it once in my lifetime. I don't mind experimenting with newer whiz-bang stuff in areas that are easier to redo if it doesn't work out. I guess this puts me into the old stick-in-the-mud category and not very "experimental", but its just my opinion as I said. Actually I do respect guys that are willing to put their time and bucks into the newer stuff to prove it out for the rest of us who come along later.

[Av8r3400]

I used Pilyfiber for its ease of application, repair and for the fact that the Stewart's paint, like every other urethane paint is made with high levels of very toxic iscosionates.

The last time I painted this type of paint, I was hospitalized with iscosionate poisoning, even though it was done in a professional booth, wearing a supplied air suit.

[chefwarthog]

You have to apply the paint not drinking it.... ;-)

[Av8r3400]

Crap! I knew there was something a little off with that coke I left in the spray booth!

[avidflyer]

I thought the Stewarts was supposed to be like latex or something. Don't they say stuff like you can do it in the basement, and the wife won't complain upstairs? Or have I inhaled to much MEK over the years using the polyfiber system? :) JImChuk

[Av8r3400]

Stewart's use of the 3M glue is low fume compared to the Polyfiber MEK based products. But their paint is not "non-Toxic" by any means.

[southwind32]

Stewart Ekopoly top coat information.
http://www.westav.ca/pdf/EkoPoly%20Data%20pdf.pdf

[efwd]

Not a very complete Data Sheet. It does not address what kind of personal protective gear you would need to apply. Since it contains Icocyanates I find it difficult to believe it is safe enough to use without a specific type of air filter mask at a minimum. Wonder why that is not covered in that data sheet?
Eddie

[southwind32]

Not a very complete Data Sheet. It does not address what kind of personal protective gear you would need to apply. Since it contains Icocyanates I find it difficult to believe it is safe enough to use without a specific type of air filter mask at a minimum. Wonder why that is not covered in that data sheet?
Eddie

There's additional details on there website. They recommend a good charcoal filter respirator.

[kitfoxjim]

What I see as the main difference is that Stewart Systems uses distilled water for thinning as opposed to MEK or other solvent based thinner. Using a HVLP sprayer which minimizes overspray and a suitable mask to avoid inhaling particulate is much less toxic IMHO. I have used 3 different systems and in future Stewart's is the only one for me!

[chefwarthog]

Is there a significant difference of weight between the two in its finite state?:rolleyes:

[kitfoxjim]

I don't think there is a significant difference in system weight. More likely depends on application skills and finish desired.