So, since I am using an auto conversion and continue to plan to use auto gas
should EZpoxy be up to the task? I know some have said it will, but I am
asking for confirmation of this data point in case I misunderstood. I am
confidant that EZpoxy WILL adhear to EZpoxy and I can add to what I have
already used to rebuild the right stake and now on the left strake.
Obviously the idea of not only having to do this again, not to mention the
anxiety of even have to worry about it at 10000 feet....or 10 feet....or 500
feet AGL is not the way I hope to fly my plane.

I have also made some test strips of new lay-ups of EZpoxy satuated glass
onto Jeffo. I let it cure and returned the next day. I could not pull the
test strips off the Jeffco without it destroying the glass. The bond did NOT
separate at all, The glass itself faild, not the Jeffco to EZpoxy bond. I
did this with well sanded surface as well as surface that had no sanding on
both Jeffco to EZpoxy and EZpoxy to Ezpoxy. All bonds seemed very
stout...howerver, neither of these batches have been soaked in
Autogas/ethanol.

I will also be looking into the proseal that Gary mentions as well. It too
had been mentioned but I thought it was more for sealing leaks but I shall
endeavor to find out.

Also, I expect to fill the strakes with water and let set for a while and
see if I have leaks before I seal the strake tops back on. My hangar partner
just did this with the VariEZ he is restoring. He is haveing to address
leaks in his stakes as well, just not caused by a bad Jeffco application.

Come on guys/gals, Wayne, Terry, John and all else, what say ye. This is
when I need some cold, hard commentatry, thoughts, concerns, brain farts
etc. It is appreciated.

Thanks.

All the best,

Chris Barber
Houston

You cannot have been the only builder to have had this problem. What have they done?

 

Send the samples of failed and unfailed Jeffco to them for evaluation.

 

Coat everything with Proseal. I have never heard of a complaint about Proseal. The military uses drums of the stuff. You might even talk to both companies about results to expect with ethanol/methanol fuel. Perhaps there is a slightly different formulation that must be used with ethanol/methanol fuels.

 

Line the tanks with sheets of .010 aluminum, and coat the seams with Proseal.

 

Make patterns with craft paper. Have fuel bladders made up.

 

Make up aluminum fuel tanks.

 

Check out the many shapes of race car fuel cells. The cross linked polypropolene cells are tough as nails and very cheap. It may be possible to weld the stuff, and make tanks from sheet stock.

 

Lynn E. Hanover