Poly-Fiber Aircraft Coatings - Ceconite Covering System

What is Ceconite?
Ceconite is the name of a family of aircraft fabric covering products, all based upon a very special polyester fabric that has become a a major industry standard.

What's So Special About Ceconite?
In a nutshell...
It's stronger than Grade A cotton or linen
It's far more durable than either
It weathers better and longer than either
It's easier to use and repair
Shrinking is predictable and repeatable.

What's That About Shrinking?
Unlike cotton or linen which were shrunk (tautened) by dope, Ceconite is precisely shrunk by heat, using a calibrated clothing iron. This lets you control the shrinking, giving you unmatched command of the covering process, producing predictably superior results every time. Because calibrated temperatures are important to the shrinking process, however, you shouldn't use a heat gun, which gives you no control.

Is Ceconite Legal for My Airplane?
Unless it's a real oddball, the answer is YES. Ceconite is FAA approved for use on everything from a Mooney Mite to a DC-3, plus every experimental you can name. The Ceconite manual includes a complete list.

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Typical Iron with Thermometer

What Cements Can I use with Ceconite?
Nitrocellulose fabric cements such as Ceconite Super Seam and Randolph's Rand-O-Bond work fine. Do NOT try to use straight nitrate or butyrate dope to attach your Ceconite fabric. Very bad idea.

What Coatings Can I Use?
Any nitrate and butyrate dopes you want to use to coat Ceconite must be aircraft-grade NON-TAUTENING types. Classic Aero Coatings (here on our web site) and those made by Randolph Products Co. work very well.

Polyurethane coatings by Randolph and Air Tech may also be used with Ceconite. Be sure to follow their procedures precisely.

The vinyl coatings of the Poly-Fiber covering system MAY NOT BE USED on certificated aircraft.

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Super Seam Cement

What Ceconite Products Are Available?

TWO CERTIFIED FABRICS, Each 70 Inches Wide,
and ONE UNCERTIFIED LIGHT FABRIC, 60 Inches Wide:

Ceconite 101 - 70 inches wide, 3.7 oz per square yard. For use in the most extreme service conditions. The most puncture resistant of all our styles. Designed for agricultural aircraft, warbirds, or airplanes that operate in the boonies off unimproved strips. Meets TSO C-15d.

Ceconite 102 - 70 inches wide, 2.7 oz per square yard. For use on most aircraft. Good replacement for Grade A cotton. Suited for all fabric covered aircraft not operating in extreme conditions. Meets TSO C-15d.

Ceconite Uncertified Light - 60 inches wide, 1.7 oz per square yard. For covering plywood surfaces on any aircraft and any ultralight aircraft that is not certified.

SURFACE TAPES:

Ceconite 102 Pinked Edge Tapes - Available in widths from 1 to 6 inches, in 25-yard rolls. The 2-inch roll is 50 yards long.

Ceconite 102 Straight Edge Tapes - Available in widths from 1 to 6 inches, in 50-yard rolls.

Ceconite Light Pinked Edge Tapes - Available in widths from 1 to 6 inches, in 25-yard rolls. The 2-inch roll is 50 yards long.

Ceconite Bias Tapes - Available in widths from 2 to 4 inches, in 25-yard rolls. Great for taping curved areas.

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Light Tapes

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Ceconite Fabrics

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C-102 Pinked-Edge Tapes

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C-102 Straight-Edge Tape

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Bias-Cut Tape

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OTHER PRODUCTS:

Ceconite Reinforcing Tape - Helps fabric resist cuts by rib lacing, pop rivets, and PK screws over rip caps. Comes in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" widths. Polyester, sticky back.

Ceconite Anti-Chafe Tape - Masks and smooths sharp edges or protrusions under fabric from wear or punctures. Comes in 60-yard roll.

Ceconite Inter-Rib Bracing Tape - Stabilizes ribs prior to covering. Comes 3/8" wide on a 36-yard roll.

Ceconite Machine Sewing Thread - For envelopes, sewn seams, and repairs. 10 lb tensile strength, 4-ply thread. 500 yards per spool.

Ceconite Hand Sewing Thread - 15 lb tensile strength, 3-ply thread. 250 yards per spool.

Rib Lacing Cord - Round 4-ply cord, .035", 60 LB strength. 500 yards per spool. The best you can buy.

Also Available -

Calibration Thermometers

Self-tapping Screws

Inspection Rings & Covers

Polyester Padding

Various Blind Rivets

Various Grommets

Is There a Ceconite Instruction Manual?
You Bet! We took the original 1958 Ceconite manual and completely rewrote it... in clear plain English with plenty of photos, illustrations, and vintage cartoons. Current Procedure Manual 101 is dated January 2003 Revision. It covers the whole covering process, including:

Getting Ready

  The Goal of This Manual
  This Manual and 43.13
  Amateur-Built Aircraft
  Ceconite Fabrics
  Ceconite Finishing Tapes
  Ceconite Markings
  Fabric Cement
  Ceconite STC Number
  Substituting Materials
  Coating Systems Approved
  Health Issues to Consider
  Fire Prevention
  A Practical Work Area
  The Tools You'll Need
  A Fuselage Holding and Turning Jig
  Atmospherics and Spraying
  Other Things You Should Know

The Covering Process

  Surface Preparation
  Attaching the Fabric
  Tautening the Fabric
  Sealing the Fabric Surface
  Securing the Fabric to the Wings
  Applying Finishing Tapes
  Inspection Rings and Drain Grommets
  Final Smoothing

Applying the Finish

  The Clear Butyrate Fill Coats
  Sanding the Fabric
  The Silver Butyrate Coats
  The Color Butyrate Coats
  Protecting and Rejuvenating the Fabric
  Covering Plywood Skins with Fabric
  Repairing Damaged Fabric
  Painting Aluminum and Fiberglass

The Ceconite STC Certificate

FAA Form 8100-1

Eligible Aircraft

Materials Estimates

Ceconite Products

Recommended Reading

Recommended Products