VAF Forums

VAF Forums (https://vansairforce.net/community/index.php)
-   RV-7/7A (https://vansairforce.net/community/forumdisplay.php?f=7)
-   -   Using clearbra film to place on the wing leading edge to remove more easily insect (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=173484)

Conifer 07-18-2019 10:49 AM

Using clearbra film to place on the wing leading edge to remove more easily insect
 
As anyone been using 3M film to protect the leading edge of the wing and so remove more easily insect with a sponge and water rather than using a more abrasiv even non scratch product. Any effect on the stall (speed or others)

rvbuilder2002 07-18-2019 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conifer (Post 1360477)
As anyone been using 3M film to protect the leading edge of the wing and so remove more easily insect with a sponge and water rather than using a more abrasiv even non scratch product. Any effect on the stall (speed or others)

Depending on how thick it is and where the edge is, it could have an influence on stall.
I have found the best practice for make bug removal easy is to keep the leading edges well waxed.
On our company airplanes we gave been using Griot's Best of Show spray wax on the airplanes for a couple years now and it helps a lot.

Jimbot 07-18-2019 11:22 AM

RE: Cleaning insects off aircraft wing leading edges
 
A hgih-quality wax and/or paint sealant does make it much easier to remove splatted-on insects from your wing's leading edge.

We've had a lot of great customer feedback - including from RV owners - telling us that it is MUCH easier to remove insects, dirt, etc. using our products, especially our Paint Sealant.

Purchase our SUPERBIRD Paint Sealant using this link and we will donate $3.00 from every purchase to Doug Reeves/Vans Air Force:

https://www.superbirdclean.com/produ...2db9c117&_ss=r

(P.S. - feel free to pass around this link - even to your non-RV aviation friends - and we will still honor the $3.00 donation with each purchase to Doug/VAF) ;)

Snowflake 07-19-2019 07:55 AM

A spray bottle with some water in it is a great way to remove bugs. Spray water on, let sit for a few seconds, and come back over it with a microfiber cloth. Bugs come right off.

At least the bugs we get here in BC. Those Colorado bugs may be different. :P

RVG8tor 07-19-2019 08:42 AM

2nd Spray Bottle
 
I keep a spray bottle with water and a few drops of Dawn dish soap. I wipe down off the bugs after every flight, basically all the leading edges. I do the legs fairings and bottom of flaps less often.

This is also how I clean the plane. I never use running water and certainly not any water under pressure. Good wax a couple times a year, more often on the leading edges as the wax wears off faster with the wipe down after every flight.

Paint job is near 7yrs old and looks great! 650hrs on the plane.

Paint by Grady at GLO At 52F, it is thought as nails.

Cheers

Bavafa 07-19-2019 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conifer (Post 1360477)
As anyone been using 3M film to protect the leading edge of the wing and so remove more easily insect with a sponge and water rather than using a more abrasiv even non scratch product. Any effect on the stall (speed or others)

I am using the 3M clear bra (Pro series) on both my leading edge of the wing and HS and have not seen any adverse effect. It is really thin and super clear. My primary reason for using it has been for cleaning bug but also protecting the paint that could get chipped. My last plane had a number of small chips on the leading edge as a result of flying in rain once or twice.

kentlik 07-19-2019 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavafa (Post 1360685)
I am using the 3M clear bra (Pro series) on both my leading edge of the wing and HS and have not seen any adverse effect. It is really thin and super clear. My primary reason for using it has been for cleaning bug but also protecting the paint that could get chipped. My last plane had a number of small chips on the leading edge as a result of flying in rain once or twice.

A process I am going to have my nephew do on my 7A is "FUSION PLUS Ceramic Coating from XPEL", really a great process and product. Getting his crew out to the hanger may be another story...

I was going to go with clear bra until I heard about this stuff.

N804RV 07-19-2019 09:43 AM

I've been using a product called "BugSlide" on my leading edges for a year now. It takes just a couple of minutes with a spray bottle of BugSlide and a microfiber cloth to wipe down the leading edges after each flight.

After using it a couple of times, the bug juice doesn't etch into the paint right away. So they just wipe right off.

Some people use Pledge the same way. But, you have to leave a thick coat of Pledge on to get good results. Bugslide works a little better and you don't have a thick waxy build up on your paint job.

Bavafa 07-19-2019 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kentlik (Post 1360696)
A process I am going to have my nephew do on my 7A is "FUSION PLUS Ceramic Coating from XPEL", really a great process and product. Getting his crew out to the hanger may be another story...

I was going to go with clear bra until I heard about this stuff.

Just looked into it as I had not heard about it. After watching a couple of youtube video, seems a lot of work and some concern as how long it will last.

One area of real interest to apply it, would be under the belly for oil protection and clean off.

thanks for sharing.

GWZ 07-19-2019 10:10 AM

I recently started using a product called ?Wash Wax All?
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wash+wax+...b_sb_ss_i_3_12
So far I like it. It seems to be more ?wax? than ?wash? but it takes the bugs off just fine and leaves a fresh coat of wax every time you use it. It does leave a slight wax haze after it dries completely but the haze wipes off with with very little effort. Not at all like wiping the dried wax off using a traditional paste.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:57 AM.