I've seen some posts about "oil-canning" but not much in the context of the RV10. I'm just about to start my tailcone and ran across some threads about "oil-canning" and decided to check my build for it. Sure enough, on my rudder, there are a few places where I can press the skin and feel it give a little and make that oil can sound. And I found one spot on one of my elevator skins.
I wrote to vans but didn't get a difinitive answer. The reply is posted below. I was hoping for some advice from some of the more experienced builders. How concerned should I really be? How can I fix it? What can I do to prevent it as I build on?
Response from Van's:
"Control surfaces changing shape (as opposed to just flexing) is never desireable, although it's impossible to say what effect it might have on a flying airplane. Probably not much, as reported problems are very rare. Can't remember any at all on RV-10.
Practially speaking, not sure what can be done. We've heard of builders applying dry ice, and others drilling rivets and heating the skin with heating pad while re-riveting. We haven't tried either, so we have no idea how effective those methods might be."
Thank you,
I wrote to vans but didn't get a difinitive answer. The reply is posted below. I was hoping for some advice from some of the more experienced builders. How concerned should I really be? How can I fix it? What can I do to prevent it as I build on?
Response from Van's:
"Control surfaces changing shape (as opposed to just flexing) is never desireable, although it's impossible to say what effect it might have on a flying airplane. Probably not much, as reported problems are very rare. Can't remember any at all on RV-10.
Practially speaking, not sure what can be done. We've heard of builders applying dry ice, and others drilling rivets and heating the skin with heating pad while re-riveting. We haven't tried either, so we have no idea how effective those methods might be."
Thank you,
Last edited: