CecoBond Cement, Glue and Sealer

CecoBond Cement is a water based contact cement developed to actually penetrate through the weave of the Ceconite or any Dacron fabric and encapsulate the threads of the fabric. This is the only fabric glue we have used that has actually held while the fabric tore while conducting pull tests.

CecoBond is a thermal active material thus allowing it to be reactivated with heat. This can come in quite handy when dealing with stubborn tape edges.

Because it is a water base product and has no foul smelling solvents (it actually has a sweet fruity smell) you can use it day in and day out with no ill effects. A big plus for those working in their homes.

PREPARING SURFACES FOR FABRIC ATTACHMENT

Steel Surfaces - Clean thoroughly of all dirt and oils.  Prime with Stewart Systems Waterborne Two-Part Epoxy Primer or One-Part Primer/Sealer.  If the steel is lightly or moderately rusted, we recommend coating the surface with Stewart Systems Steel Conversion Coating.

Aluminum Surfaces - Clean all surfaces with Stewart Systems Etch Cleaner using an abrasive pad and rinse well with clean water. After aluminum is completely dry apply Stewart Systems Waterborne Two-Part Epoxy Primer or One-Part Primer/Sealer.

Fiberglass Surfaces - Thoroughly clean surface with Stewart Systems Heavy Duty Cleaner or lacquer thinner and scuff surface with a fine abrasive pad.

Wood Surfaces - Apply Stewart Systems One-Part Polyurethane Clear Wood Sealer to a dry and oil free wood surface before attaching fabric.

Previously painted surfaces - Attaching fabric to previously coated surfaces is not recommended.

Be certain that all maintenance items have been taken care of prior to covering, inter-rib bracing has been installed and all chafing areas have been protected with adhesive multi-purpose tape.

ATTACHING THE FABRIC TO THE AIRFRAME

Aircraft are usually covered by using the blanket method or by using pre-sewn envelopes or a combination of the two systems. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages.

Blanket Application - With this system, Ceconite 101, Ceconite 102 or Ceconite Light is applied using cement joints usually made along leading edges and trailing edges and fuselage surfaces overlapped on longerons and formers. In the case of wings with a chord that exceeds the width of the fabric (70"), the fabric is sewn with several chordwise seams and is cemented to the trailing edge only and wrapped from the trailing edge, over the leading edge and again cemented at the trailing edge. The Blanket Application usually allows smoother surfaces over longerons and in areas where a bulky seam would show.

Envelope Application - Pre-sewn fuselage envelopes will usually speed up the covering project. However, poorly fit envelopes can cause loose fabric problems. During heat tautening of envelopes, care must be taken to avoid pulling seams out of line. Bring the temperature up very slowly while tautening envelope fabric and watch the seam alignment.

Envelopes are generally shipped as they are sewn. In other words, wrong side out. Be certain to turn them right side out before installing on the airframe. Check also to be sure the flap of fabric along the seam lies on the same side of the tubing to assure the smoothest appearance.

Be certain that the fabric is firmly attached at all points before starting the tautening process. Areas around fuel tanks, small tubing in the forward sections of a fuselage, and window frame areas are only a few of the problem areas for fabric attachment. On wings especially you will have areas like strut openings that will stick up and create an uneven attachment to the trailing edge as you lay the fabric over the wing. In some cases you may have to cut a small opening in the fabric to insure a smooth trailing edge, be sure to cut the opening only as big as you need to. If there is a surface you can cement to around this opening do so before heat tautening of the fabric.

NOTE: If you cut the opening too large, it can create a problem for you during heat tautening of the fabric. Many times you will have to develop special methods for attachment. Slipped fabric around these difficult areas can ruin a covering project so use extra care.

APPLICATION OF CECOBOND CEMENT

CecoBond Cement is used in a different manner than most aircraft cements. CecoBond is a water based contact cement with thermal active characteristics. If necessary you can insure a good bond or reattach cemented surfaces by applying heat to the area with a close quarter iron set at 260°F. DO NOT APPLY HEAT TO WET CECOBOND, AS THIS WILL WICK THE GLUE FROM THE WEAVE OF THE FABRIC. When wiping excess cement away be sure to use:

A dry blue shop towel - We prefer the one-ply towels that come on a roll. Cut the towel into 4 pieces - when your towel becomes saturated with CecoBond throw it away.

Apply CecoBond to the surface where the fabric will be attached. Let the cement tack up (approximately 5 minutes depending on temperature and humidity). Apply the fabric to the cemented area, brush cement down through the fabric to the previously cemented area and wipe excess cement away while at the same time smoothing the fabric. The cemented area should show an even color indicating a complete bond to the substrate. Drying time is up to four hours depending on temperature and humidity. When installing inspection rings or reinforcing patches, use CecoBond Cement like a contact cement: apply to both surfaces, allow to become tacky, and then press the surfaces together.

When applying Ceconite fabric over plywood surfaces, apply CecoBond Cement to the plywood and allow to tack up. Apply fabric to cemented area, brush additional cement down through the fabric and wipe away excess cement with a blue paper towel while at the same time smoothing the fabric down.

NOTE: Be sure to wipe away excess cement before it dries.

CALIBRATING ELECTRIC IRONS

Accurate calibration and proper use of the electric iron is critical for a proper covering job and cannot be over emphasized.

1. Select an iron with at least an 1100-watt heating element.
2. Use a Coverite^TM surface thermometer to measure the soleplate temperature of the iron.
3. When calibrating your iron for the first time determine and mark the settings on the temperature control dial which will give you 290°, 325° and 350°F. It should take you from 30 to 45 minutes to accurately determine each temperature setting. Mark each setting.
4. While the surface thermometer is in place and the heat setting is at the 350° mark, observe how low the temperature drops before the thermostat comes back on and also how long it takes the iron to return to the 350°F surface temperature. If the iron is dropped, it must be recalibrated before use.

Polyester fibers crystallize at 425°F so it is very important to know your iron temperature exactly. It is a good idea to check the accuracy of your temperature marks at least once a day as some irons tend to stray from the original settings the more they are used.

From the above observations, you will be able to estimate the speed of travel of the iron over all surfaces and how many repeat passes you will have to make to be certain that all fabric covered surfaces have been exposed to 350°F heat.

NOTE: Do not use heat guns to tauten fabric. Accurate temperature control is not possible. Burning debris from the heating element can also burn small holes in the fabric.

HEAT TAUTENING OF THE FABRIC

Set the iron to 290°F and perform a preliminary shrink (smoothing the surface but not stabilizing the fabric) over the entire fabric surface. Apply reinforcing patches to openings around struts, control cables, control horn, etc. with fiberglass or polyester canvas reinforcing patches.

Fiberglass Patches: These can be easily made by obtaining fiberglass cloth from an auto supply store. A piece 12" X 18" should be large enough for the average airplane. Spread this out on a smooth clean surface covered with a wax paper and saturate the glass cloth with CecoBond Cement. When dry cut to the needed dimension. Smooth the area to be reinforced with a 290°F iron, apply a coat of CecoBond Cement to the fabric surface to be attached to the patch, when tacky apply the patch and press into place, wipe away excess cement.

Canvas Patches: Use a 50/50 blend of polyester and cotton canvas for a durable, easy to apply patch. Draw out the desired patch with a soft lead pencil, saturate the entire patch with CecoBond cement and let it dry completely. Cut out the patch, apply CecoBond to the fabric surface you are applying your patch to, apply CecoBond to the side of the patch that will be attached to the fabric and let both surfaces become tacky, press the patch into place and smooth while wiping away excess cement. After your patch has dried applied heat directly to the patch with a 275°F iron to insure the best bond.

After attaching all the reinforcement patches and allowing to dry, set the iron to 325°F and iron the entire surface. Set the iron at 350°F (not to exceed 370°F) for the final shrink and iron the entire surface three times, allowing the surface to cool and normalize between ironing.

It is a good idea to allow the surface to cool and normalize after the first tautening at 350°F and then iron two more times at the 350°F temperature. While heat tautening, move the iron slowly to allow the heat to maintain a constant temperature on the soleplate of the iron.

(Ultralight airframes can be easily damaged during the tautening of the fabric. Do not try to bring the fabric on the Ultralight airframes up to 350°F stabilizing temperature. Temperature and humidity changes may cause some loosening of Ultralight coverings, but this will disappear when the fabric warms and dries.)

For conventional aircraft, with more substantial structures, the fabric should be brought up to its final tension in several temperature steps with the final tautening at 350°F to 370°F. Do not be alarmed by what appears to be smoke. This is moisture and lubricant used in the fabric manufacturing process.

NOTE: It is not necessary or desirable to final heat shrink fabric that has been glued to wooden or metal surfaces.

APPLICATION OF REINFORCING TAPE

Fabric is attached to cap strips in many ways: rib stitching, screws with fabric washers, pop rivets, and wire clips. All of these methods require the use of reinforcing tape under the attaching device. Reinforcing tape should be the same width as the rib cap strips. Do not rely on cement to hold fabric to cap strips.

APPLICATION OF SURFACE TAPE

When application of reinforcing tape and mechanical attachment has been completed, the aircraft is ready for application of the surface tapes. Using a gauge the same width as the surface tape will help you with tape layout as well as insure straight and even lines. Only use a soft lead pencil to mark the areas you are applying surface tape to. (NOTE: A long piece of surface tape marked in the center makes an excellent gauge.) Anchor about 2" of the leading edge of the surface tape with CecoBond Cement and let it set up. Cut a piece of vinyl fine line tape the approximate length of the surface tape, apply the vinyl tape to the outside edges of the marked area, apply CecoBond between the vinyl tapes, lay your surface tape down and force cement down through the tape. Wipe excess cement away. Pull up the vinyl tapes immediately and move them to the next rib following the same procedure. You should be able to use the same two pieces of vinyl tape for one side of your wing - this technique will not only insure that your tapes will be securely attached but will also reduce sanding labor during the finishing process.

When using fabric surface tapes, it is seldom necessary to notch tapes to get them to lay down smoothly around a curved edge. By using a close quarter iron, the fabric can be shrunk to conform. This may take a little practice, but the appearance of the final tape is well worth the extra effort.

APPLICATION OF INSPECTION RINGS

When marking locations for inspection rings, use a soft lead pencil only. It is very important that you have a good bond between the inspection ring and the fabric and between the inspection ring and the inspection ring patch. To insure proper adhesion please follow these steps:

1. Place the inspection ring on the fabric where it is to be located, trace the inside and outside diameters of the inspection ring with a soft lead pencil onto the fabric surface.



2. Apply CecoBond Cement to the area on the fabric where the inspection ring is located then apply CecoBond Cement to the bottom (flat) area of the inspection ring. Place the inspection ring on the cemented area of the fabric (flat side down) and apply pressure while twisting the ring slightly to lock it into place. NOTE: when applying the ring to the fabric excess glue will seep from the edges of the ring, wipe this away.



3. Cut a patch 1" larger than the outside diameter of the inspection ring. After the inspection ring is securely cemented to the fabric apply cement to the inside fabric area of the inspection ring, place the fabric patch centered over the ring and apply cement to the patch covering the inside fabric area. Apply slight pressure and wipe away excess cement being careful not to cement to the ring itself. Make sure your patch is cemented right up to the ring and there are no air pockets between the patch and the ring. Let that set up.



4. After you have let the inside of the patch dry to the touch, iron the inside area with a 275°F iron paying special attention the area around the ring itself.



5. Apply cement to the ring. Apply cement to the top of the patch pushing cement through to the ring. Wipe away excess CecoBond with a blue paper towel being careful not to cement the patch to the outside area of fabric surrounding the ring. Let that set up.



6. Iron with a 275°F iron to smooth down the outside area of the patch and to secure the patch tightly around the ring.



7. Apply cement to the fabric outside of the ring where your patch is located. Push cement through the patch to the fabric area of the patch and again wipe away excess with a blue paper towel. Make sure there are no air pockets surrounding the ring where the patch is attached to the fabric.

After the patch is set you can go back over it with a 275°F iron paying special attention to the areas directly around the ring. Just as with surface tapes remember that the patch has not been heat shrunk and it is possible to get an uneven edge with careless use of the iron.

NOTE: When cutting out covering patches for inspection rings or drain grommets, use only wrinkle free fabric.

DRAIN HOLES AND DRAIN GROMMETS

Melt drain holes through the fabric in their proper location by use of a hot soldering iron with a round ¼ inch tip. Be sure not to push too far to prevent burning a hole into the opposite side of the control. Cement drain grommets over these holes using the same technique as was used when installing the inspection rings. Be sure to open the covered drain hole using either the soldering iron or an Exacto knife.

SEALING THE FABRIC WITH CECOBOND CEMENT

Before you can seal the fabric you must make sure you have applied all surface tapes, reinforcing patches, drain grommets and have "finish ironed" your entire surface. Finish Iron is a term we use for ironing all of the finish tapes and patches at 275°F with a close quarter iron. Make sure to use care when ironing tapes and patches as careless use of the iron will warp straight lines and circles. Ironing all tapes and patch edges is extra insurance that edges will not lift. This step will also improve the appearance of the finished product.

After you have completed your finish ironing, dilute a small amount of CecoBond Cement with 5% distilled water. The amount will depend on the size of the surface to be sealed, remember a little bit goes a long way. With a 4" foam brush apply this mixture over all areas that have not yet been cemented. If applied correctly the sealing mixture will not drip through the back side of the fabric nor will you need to wipe away excess cement, the fabric will wick the CecoBond Cement into the warp and weave of the fabric leveling itself. This procedure will leave the fabric air and water tight.

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