Fuselage fabric

[Flyboy66]

When installing the side panels of fabric on the fuselage, does it end at the door frame, or does it wrap up over the bottom of the door flange? Pictures?

Thanks,

steve

[Tom Waid]

This photo may help.

http://tropicaltuba.com/Kitfox%20Project/images/735.jpg

[David47]

My fabric wraps all the way over the door frame, as shown in the picture. I’m then putting a tight fitting stainless steel U channel over the door frame after final painting to act as a scuff surface. This effectively captures the fabric if you wrap it like this. Hope this helps.

[avidflyer]

Not sure what model you are covering, but what I did on the sides on an Avid Flyer and Kitfox 4 is cover the rear of the plane up to just under the rear of the door frame opening with one piece of fabric. I ended the bottom front of that piece of fabric by wrapping it around and gluing it to one of the short tubes at the back corner of the door frame. Then I covered the area under the door with a separate scrap piece of fabric. The finish tape will cover the seam you end up with. You can do it all with one piece of fabric, but if you do, you will waste over a yard of more fabric on each side when you cut out the door area. JImChuk

[Flyboy66]

My fabric wraps all the way over the door frame, as shown in the picture...


Does it wrap all the way over the top and to the end of the flange on the inside of the door frame? Also, where do I find the U channel for scuff resistance, and how are you going to secure it in place?

Thanks,

Steve

[jiott]

I did like David. It wraps all the way over to the inside bottom of flange. I made my own U-channel scuff piece from thin aluminum (I had access to a sheet metal bending brake). Others have used stainless steel. I believe Kitfox may now sell these pieces.

[jiott]

I glued on the scuff channel with Hysol.

[efwd]

First, I tried to source the right size channel and I found that I couldn't find the correct size. I then had a metal shop quote me a price to make some and I didn't like the price. So, I purchased the stainless channels from kitfox. I only had the bottom edge. They make a very clean product and I liked it a lot. I was going to buy the other two pieces but I have a friend that got his dad to fabricate me some channel from his scrap Stainless in his shop. They are nice but I still liked the stuff Kitfox made me. It has a smoother finish and the bend radius is softer than what I have but my stuff was free. I believe KF sells two pieces for $75. Don't quote me though, prices tend to creep up over time.

[David47]

Does it wrap all the way over the top and to the end of the flange on the inside of the door frame?..

What Jim said. Hysol is brilliant stuff as long as the surface prep. is properly done. It will give it a nicely finished appearance as well as provide protection from big boots.

[Flyboy66]

Thank you everyone for all the information.

Steve