Repair Procedure Air-Tech Fabric Covering In the event of puncture or rip of fabric covering on which Air-Tech coatings have been applied repair is simple. Consult FAA AC 43.13 – 1A for instructions and details on patch size etc. PROCEDURE: 1. Around the rip or hole the area the size of the patch should be lightly sanded to roughen up the surface for adhesion. One should begin to see the primer showing through when sanded enough. Ensure the patch has an adhesive area with a distance of at least 2 inches from the edge of the hole or rip. 2. Thoroughly clean the area with RA 4000 Rev. 3 adhesive reducer to remove any foreign matter. 3. Thin the UA 55 Rev.
1 adhesive with reducer to a ratio of 3 parts reducer to 1 part adhesive. 4. Brush two thinned coats of adhesive on the area to receive a patch allowing each coat to dry for 5 minutes. Dryness is indicated by a dull or flat sheen. 5. Cut a fabric patch to the proper size. Pinked edges work much better. 6. Using the thinned adhesive (3/1) apply the patch in the same manner used for the surface tape. Thoroughly saturate the patch with adhesive and work any entrapped air out. 7. After the patch is dry it may be slightly tautened to take any slack out. 8. Apply two thinned coats of adhesive to the patch allowing each to dry 5 minutes.
Take care to avoid any glue beads or ridges which would have to be sanded later. 9. Using a Teflon coated model maker’s iron set at 250 F iron all the edges of the patch and feather out the adhesive. Note the adhesive thermally softens at this temperature and feathering is very easy. If ridges or beads persist soften them with MEK and wipe off with a clean untreated cotton cloth. 10. Prime and paint the patched area as necessary. Page 14