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Inspection/access zips on fabric

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:30 pm
by Terry Lee
Can anyone tell me the correct way to fix, say a 9" L zip of the type used on the rear of an Auster fuselage. Should the fabric part of the zip be stitched or glued to the fabric covering.

TIA

Re: Inspection/access zips on fabric

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:04 pm
by ROB THOMASSON
All the ones I've seen come pre sewn onto a largish patch of ceconite ready to be fabric cemented onto the aircraft fabric as they accept that "Real Men" don't do sewing!
Get the base fabric taught with an iron as usual and then attach the fabric and zip as you would a patch. 1 coat of glue and a retighten as necessary. Open the zips and use a sharp knife to cut the fabric in line with the zipper.
Dope as normal (with the zips closed) and then your choice of silver as anti UV followed by paint if needed to match the original colours. Be aware the dreaded bloom is likely in low temperatures and high humidity like er ... now!

Re: Inspection/access zips on fabric

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:53 pm
by Terry Lee
Rob, what you describe is pretty much how I envisaged it would go, except that as far as I can see LAS, Skycraft, Polyfiber et'all don't list zips pre stitched to a fabric patch! Any idea who does them?

Re: Inspection/access zips on fabric

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:58 pm
by Terry Lee
Rob, sorry, ignore my last post,I've found them, doh :oops: