Tanks and fabric questions

[Tom T]

Well today was an interesting day.

I completed painting a small fabric patch on the right wing in prep for mounting the wings to the fuselage.

These are 2005 vintage wings/tanks built under the builder assist program at SkyStar, covered and painted with Aerothane.

We decided to slosh the right tank for possible release agents and contamination. Mixed a 50/50 solution of acetone and avgas. While sloshing we had a significant leak at the finger strainer fittings. The solution wetted the fabric along the leading edge in the tank bay and some of the lower rib lines, before we could get it cleaned up some of the paint blistered.

Several questions:

Does anyone have a recommended sealant for the fittings, as I'm not too impressed with the Permatex used by Skystar.

These tanks don't have the sump quick drain fittings. Can/should they be added?

The slosh solution damaged the paint (soaked thru from the back side), but I doesn't seem too have much effect on the polytac/polybrush/fabric bonds. Is this a problem?

Thanks in advance for any feedback you can give.

[Dorsal]

"These tanks don't have the sump quick drain fittings. Can/should they be added?"
Tom, Are you saying there is no fitting or no hole, I have the same vintage setup and the threaded holes should be there. If they are just still covered over this may explain your leaking.
Just asking.

[Tom T]

Dorsal,
Thanks for the hint! Yep I found them.

Now that I've found them, I'm surprised they don't have any reinforcement or grommets around them???

I also noted comments from other posts about adding drain grommets in the wings and elevator. These were not installed either and as I've said, that's a little surprising with the fabric painted by the factory....

Live and learn...

[Tom T]

Hey all, I continue to learn from this mistake.

I searched the posts and didn't find any info specific to my issues so here's what I have to date.

As Dorsal pointed out the drains holes were in the tanks, I just plain missed them due to not having built the wings or done the covering (failure to read closely enough )

The wonderful tech support at PolyFiber responded today (Sunday) and indicate the solution didn't do any fabric damage .

It did blister the paint on the wing and we are now discussing options to repair the finish as well as areas for additional grommets....

[HighWing]

Question. Are the tanks of that vintage the new ethanol resistant Vinylester resin? I don't recall when they were introduced. If they are - no issue. If not did the rinse remove a sloshing compound.

[Tom T]

Highwing,
These are the earlier which are not Ethanol resistant...
Thanks for the info