Buying advice?

Dannyholder · Post by **Dannyholder** » Mon Dec 26, 2016 6:32 pm

I found a 1992 Maule that is reported to have good fabric but has a couple of places where the seams are starting to come apart. How big an issue is this? How much would it cost to have such an item repaired?

Thanks

Wyflyer · Post by **Wyflyer** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 8:45 am

if some of the seams are coming apart I'd suspect the entire fabric. If it's original fabric, that's about the end of it's expected life span. Test the fabric before you buy if you have doubts.

You could refabric and repaint the airplane for around 30k

Dannyholder · Post by **Dannyholder** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 3:02 pm

Thanks for the advice

gbarrier · Post by **gbarrier** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 5:15 pm

Where are the seams? A seam lifting here and there is not unusual. My M-6 is an 83 model with 12,000 hours. When we got it a few years ago tapes were loose all over the place on the belly. A little cement, sanding, and a little paint and it still looks great three years later. Patch and touch up once in a while and fly the hell out of it. Fabric does that.

bobguhr · Post by **bobguhr** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 5:29 pm

X2 what gbarrier said. I had lifting seams on the horizontal stabilizer and up top over my head on a 97 with 1500 TT and decent fabric. A little crazy glue every now and then as needed went a long way. I think it's fairly common on factory covered Maules although I would have an independent fabric type guy take a look before you plop down hard earned cash

Dannyholder · Post by **Dannyholder** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:04 am

Thanks guys

gbarrier · Post by **gbarrier** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 6:58 am

Would brush a little fabric cement under and press in place. I like Superflites U500 but am sure Stitts Poly-Tak would do same job.

captnkirk · Post by **captnkirk** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 2:22 pm

I have keep some tape and glue on hand when I've owned fabric aircraft. Having some touch up paint helps too but there will always be touch ups needed. Which reminds me of a couple of spots I need to get to ðŸ¤•

TomD · Post by **TomD** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:21 pm

Danny;

PM sent

Mountain Doctor · Post by **Mountain Doctor** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 10:21 am

Common Maule defect, especially on planes with dark paint.

Mine was a recurrent PIA but problem was 'solved' with 3M helicopter tape.

Buying advice?

Buying advice?

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