Anyone use the Stewart System and whats results?

H Lee · Post by **H Lee** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 16:49

Has anyone used the Stewart System? If so what were the results?
Stewart also has a STC for pop rivets rather than screws. Anyone use the pop rivets?

Can you replace the A-65 Cont with a C-85 with starter and remain under the 1320lb weight limit for sport pilot?

Thanks

Lee Berrier

Post by **joea** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 17:14

Lee,

Yes you can put a C85-12 in a Chief or Champ and stay under 1320. Make sure you get the -12 engine that takes a B&C or Skytech starter.

Joe A

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 19:41

Stay Light Sport? ....sure, the only thing that suffers is Useful Load.
The more the plane weighs, the less you can (legally) carry.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 22:42

I'll let Stewart's get about 20 years of service in the field, then give you an opinion.

nkh

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 13:27

The wings on my Champ were covered with the old Blue River system back about 1990 and are still holding up other than some light cracking in the paint because the previous owner painted with Imron. Of course, it's never been tied down outside either as far as I know. I covered the rest of the plane with Superflite. Once I get the L16 done, I'm going to pull the wings on the Champ and rebuild/recover them.

Mike Berg

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 13:43

The Stewart System is in no way related to the old Ceconite 7600 ( Blue River) system. The only thing in common is the thinner, distilled water.
I've been watching their Pacer for about 10 years and it still is a good looking airplane.
Paul

shep · Post by **shep** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 19:36

I saw the Stewart PA16 at Arlington and it looked good. The finish is not particularly glossy but it was smooth and pliable. The Stewart people tie the plane down OUTSIDE in Eastern WA.

flyingfool · Post by **flyingfool** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 16:03

I kind of hope that the Stewart system works out. I like the idea of lowering the toxic nature of the whole process and the reduced likelyhood of fire from a stray spark during the process, including static discharge from sanding. Not to mention the ability to not try to kill you from the fumes with the traditional process.

I also am not particularly interested in wetlook gloss. While I love the look. I also want ease of future repair. I also want as light a system as possible. My Chief has been painted and then re-painted (lightly or so says the person who did it) with polytone. So I hope that by recovering the plane I could save several pounds of weight.

Fortunately for me. My existing Stits polytone (also not glossy) Chief will not NEED covering for a few years. At least I hope. But I will look up Stewarts at Oshkosh this year that's for sure!

I think Air Tech coatings also has for the base coats a water based system. Although I'm not sure if that is STC or just for homebuilts.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 19:44

FF,
PolyTone, no matter how old, can be buffed back into a deep and dark luster. It won't be bright and shiny like new plastic airplane but more like a rubbed laquer finish on 46 Ford.

Do it by hand or get a mechincal buffer at the slowest speed.

nkh

gusc · Post by **gusc** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 01:34

I'm with Nathan on the Poly System. I used dope for many years and it isn't half as easy or safe to use as Poly.

The thing I really like is the ease of repair. You can even slap a patch over the final finish and paint right over it, it is not really neat that way but it can be done.

All the finishes blend into the others, no Nitrate and Butyl stuff to mess with.

None of these old timers came from the factory with a high gloss finish. The fabric weave showed and the finish was matte at best and that's the way I like them.

How we ever got started on those thousand coat polished finishes I'll never know and when they crack the tears flow in gushes!

jack duncan · Post by **jack duncan** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 08:15

If you want something easy to apply and repair that looks original, there is nothing out there that compares to Consolidated Coatings, Poly-fiber process (Stits) the poly-tone finish fits right in with these old airplanes we restore and fly. and there are plenty of dealers around so you can drive and pick it up and save on the hazmat shipping.

gusc · Post by **gusc** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 23:19

Jack,

You, Nathan and I are all talking about the same stuff.

jack duncan · Post by **jack duncan** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 08:10

Gusc, I know, just agreeing with y'all. Jack

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 23:47

We're in the process of re-covering our 7BCM fuselage using the nitrate/dope system since we have a bunch left over from re-covering the wings of our C-140.
We are planning to switch to Stewart Systems for the wings on the advice of our mechanic. We've watched the DVDs and chatted with 'the big guy' at Sun 'n Fun a few weeks ago.

Any fresh opinions out there?

Marian

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 09:09

Gordy Westphal off this site has been using it on his Champ project. He may chime in and he told me he likes the process. I haven't followed it lately but there was a lot of chatter on the Supercub site on the Stewart system some time back. Seemed positive. I've used Superflite for my three covers. Don't think I'd use it again. I like the finish and the process is easy to work with but the glue is MEK intensive and almost requires wearing a mask when doing the heavy gluing like tapes. Also, it's probably fine in warmer climates but the stuff cracks in cold weather if you push on it and it's heavy. After I complained to SF they told me to put more flex agent in the primer. Seems like if more flex agent is needed it should be in the process mix

. Having said that, it will probably last forever finish wise as it's very durable.

Someone did mention that the Stewart paint is quite 'runny'

Think I'd give it a try if I were to do another. Mostly for the less toxic aspect.

MikeB

National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Anyone use the Stewart System and whats results?

Anyone use the Stewart System and whats results?

paint

Re: Anyone use the Stewart System and whats results?

Re: Anyone use the Stewart System and whats results?