John G. Hanson

205 Sickler Creek Road
Madon, MT 59925

I would like to first of all tell you that I usually don't write in and correct people that are in the business of writing news letters, as I write a few news letters myself and know all about the letters that come in with nothing good or constructive to say. However, every, now and then I just have to share something with everyone when an oversight is occurring.

I am speaking of your reference to there being only two (basically) covering processes on the market at this time. There are many more choices available than you referenced. There is Airtech, Cooper Super Flight, Randolph, and even the old "Razorback" system (which, by the way was invented by one of your TOC members) and am sure that I have forgotten some in that list. They are still available and still out there, you just have to look a little to find them. There is also a FANTASTIC system currently being marketed by a company called "Aircraft Finishing Systems" from Ennis, MT. I have used this system myself, and can attest to the incredible results! I was a "(Name Withheld)" dealer for about 10 years, and have switched entirely to this system! The system uses "Ceconite" fabric, but uses their glue, and finishing products, and the best thing about that is that they are all waterborne. Now, before you get all up in the air, let me emphasize the word waterborne .... not waterbased. Water is only added as a carrier, to reduce the viscosity of the solids to allow the coatings to be sprayed. When it dries, all that is left is a high quality (am talking really high quality here!) finish that is more flexible than anything that I've seen! The most prominent advantage of this process is the fact that it is very low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and other risky additives. That produces a two-fold benefit of being a lot easier on your body (as well as the neighbors and pets, the wife's attitude, etc.), as all the coatings arc EPA and OSHA compliant, as well as the fact that all of these products can be shipped regular freight (no more hazardous materials charges!). It's an incredibly "forgiving" system to use as the glue sets up much slower than "(Name Withheld)", and the coatings are much easier to spray and get very. professional results. Incidentally, the glue is by far the strongest glue that I've ever seen, and excess wipes off (while still wet) with a wet paper towel! The two-part polyurethane topcoat that is available is one of only a very. few pure polyurethane topcoats available today. That means that there isn't any plasticizer in it to get brittle with age, so that super flexible finish and "wet look" shine will last for an awfully long time! And by the way, don't let all the "old wives tales" about polyurethane being harder to repair scare you away. With just a little "modern" knowledge of how the paint really works, polyurethane can be repaired just as easily as anything else (and invisibly), and more easily than a lot of the products on the market today!

I am including a fabric sample that is coated with the two-part polyurethane that was done about a year ago. It has been run through the clothes dryer (by accident), sprinkled with MEK, and many other solvents, as well as pinched and twisted by quite a few people in that time. As you can see, it is still very pliable. Please feel free to call Paul or Tammy at Aircraft Finishing Systems, they will answer any questions that you have. They are wonderful people, and have a wonderful product! One of the best things about dealing with them is that if you call them, they aren't "putting down" anyone else's system. They have lots of experience with most of them and do a fantastic job of cover work themselves, so when they explain things to you, they are coming from an "experienced" standpoint, instead of being just a salesman for a certain system. They also provide "on-sight" training seminars that are just great, and really demonstrate this product to potential buyers, as well as "experienced" coverers.

Gotta run for now, keep up the good work on the newsletter, and I hope that this has shed some light or opened a few eyes on a new and very deserving product!