Wing Tanks Stripped/Resealed at Weep-No-More

[Hank]

 

I wonder where the Cessna people take their tanks. 

 

my friends with leaky Cessna tanks just remove the aluminum tank from the wing, wash it out really good and have it welded up. That's not an option for us; I flew to Florida and had mine resealed, flying roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale home while it was being done.

[RobertGary1]

my friends with leaky Cessna tanks just remove the aluminum tank from the wing, wash it out really good and have it welded up. That's not an option for us; I flew to Florida and had mine resealed, flying roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale home while it was being done.

Not sure what year Cessnas these are but the 206's and 182's coming off the line now are all wet tanks just like ours.

 

-Robert

[Hank]

 

Not sure what year Cessnas these are but the 206's and 182's coming off the line now are all wet tanks just like ours.

 

-Robert

These were definitely "vintage" 172/182s. Didn't know they've upgraded to wet wings. The day is not wasted, I've learned something in just half of it. 

[ryoder]

I got mine resealed at a low cost but was asked not to advertise it.

[aviatoreb]

I got mine resealed at a low cost but was asked not to advertise it.

Where?

 

[philipneeper]

So after reading thread upon thread about fuel tanks I finally decided I will repair my own tanks. I ordered the Polygone 310 AG GEL and have limitless supply of pro seal and top coat from work so, tomorrow, Friday 09 OCT, I will attempt to start on the right tank to see how the process goes. I'm pretty excited, but nervous to. I will post pictures on the progress as it goes along.

 

The question I have, I read the Mooney SB about tanks and how to repair/seal them, I'm thinking of using 1/4" of pro seal..... any recommendations? Also, I know to use a little paint thinner to make the pro seal easier to apply. I want to do more research on products allowed to seal tanks, only because where I work we have a sealant that seals fuel bladders and its better than pro seal I believe. inputs would be appreciated.

[MB65E]

Good luck! Boxes of gloves and scrapers. 3204 is the recommended sealant. You shouldn't need to coat the entire tank. The sealant just needs to be in the right places. It's all in the maintenance manual. Don Maxwell has several nice articles. 

-Matt

[ryoder]

So after reading thread upon thread about fuel tanks I finally decided I will repair my own tanks. I ordered the Polygone 310 AG GEL and have limitless supply of pro seal and top coat from work so, tomorrow, Friday 09 OCT, I will attempt to start on the right tank to see how the process goes. I'm pretty excited, but nervous to. I will post pictures on the progress as it goes along.

 

The question I have, I read the Mooney SB about tanks and how to repair/seal them, I'm thinking of using 1/4" of pro seal..... any recommendations? Also, I know to use a little paint thinner to make the pro seal easier to apply. I want to do more research on products allowed to seal tanks, only because where I work we have a sealant that seals fuel bladders and its better than pro seal I believe. inputs would be appreciated.

Maybe practice on a cardboard box first.  I heard guys who build experimentals do this.  Tank sealing is just part of the build for them.  YouTube.

[Sqrtree]

Becareful adding thinner or mek to pro seal. Does thin it out but it cures it faster and can effect the quality of the sealant when cured. Not sure what type pro seal your using but perhaps A2 (thinner) rather than B2 for example. As an A&P I use it mostly for Jet A so not sure how 100LL effects it. Just my $ .02

[Sqrtree]

Long Day.....poor grammer. Affect rather. Not effects. lol.

[philipneeper]

Knock on wood I've been patching my tanks myself for nearly 20 years. If you do it yourself its less than $100 and I've been fortunate that each time I've patched my tank it seems to stay patched for a number of years. Patching is something you can do yourself with a little bit of instruction. Its not hard its just a bit messy. 

I wonder where the Cessna people take their tanks. 

-Robert

I use B2 at work on my helo fuel tanks. As an A&P I have used B2 on tanks both 100 and JP8, I feel it's harder to apply but provides a good seal. I always appreciate a seasoned A&P advice and knowledge. Will look into A2 more. Thank you. 

Do you still use top coat? 

I do... Since the MB requires it...

[carusoam]

There is an edit button, if you like.  You will probably only see it for the things you wrote.

There is no prize for perfect spelling.  Siri does her best to throw in some misspellings for you.

Best regards,

-a-

[philipneeper]

Maybe practice on a cardboard box first.  I heard guys who build experimentals do this.  Tank sealing is just part of the build for them.  YouTube.

unfortanetly i can't practice on cardboard and then the aircraft. If she was an experimental i could but the SB calls for certain pro seal and if i remember right. the stuff i want to use isn't approved. 

[Sqrtree]

yes.....Usually A2 or A 1/2 to start because it flows better into the seams and lap joints. Then follow up later with B. Great Stuff. And thanks carusoam for the spelling advice. Still finding my way around this app.

[ryoder]

 

 

yes.....Usually A2 or A 1/2 to start because it flows better into the seams and lap joints. Then follow up later with B. Great Stuff. And thanks carusoam for the spelling advice. Still finding my way around this app.

 

I am the grammar police round these parts...  I'll let spelling mistakes go unless they are in the post title.  Then I have to say something.

[Hank]

unfortanetly i can't practice on cardboard and then the aircraft. If she was an experimental i could but the SB calls for certain pro seal and if i remember right. the stuff i want to use isn't approved. 

Use the sealant specified in the SB. Before applying a brush inside your tanks, practice applying the sealant to some cardboard, cut and taped together the size of the tank. Get your technique down for access, brush manipulation and desired sealant thickness. This is not addressed in the SB, because it can't be. Do what you gotta do to get good, then work on your tank.

[RobertGary1]

Just remember that once you mix it it has a short shelf life before it sets 1/2hr-2hr depending on which you bought. So if you're going to practice do it quickly.  

 

-Robert

[philipneeper]

Knock on wood I've been patching my tanks myself for nearly 20 years. If you do it yourself its less than $100 and I've been fortunate that each time I've patched my tank it seems to stay patched for a number of years. Patching is something you can do yourself with a little bit of instruction. Its not hard its just a bit messy. 

I wonder where the Cessna people take their tanks. 

-Robert

I been using it for 2 years now, know all about the cure

[fuellevel]

What does a set cost for a Mooney?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The senders are $390 each  - What is the display interface 

[philipneeper]

I had my senders overhauled for $400 total. Is that a route you would go?

[MB65E]

Who overhauls them? I have a dead spare. They appear pretty simple. I just didn't want to cut into them and open them up. 

-Matt

[M20F-1968]

Airparts of Lockhaven, PA overhauls the senders.  The last ones I had done were $175 each.

Regarding sealing tanks, it is an art and some experience sealing specifically Mooney tanks is necessary to truly get them sealed.  You can clean them by hand using Polygone gel (about $100/gal as I remember) but you will not get them as clean as the liquid sprayer process with the same chemical (Polygone).  You might consider taking on a few more shifts at your regular job, make some extra bucks doing what you know, and take the plane to Weep No More.  That way you know your efforts will pay off.

John Breda

[philipneeper]

Airparts of Lockhaven, PA overhauls the senders.  The last ones I had done were $175 each.

Regarding sealing tanks, it is an art and some experience sealing specifically Mooney tanks is necessary to truly get them sealed.  You can clean them by hand using Polygone gel (about $100/gal as I remember) but you will not get them as clean as the liquid sprayer process with the same chemical (Polygone).  You might consider taking on a few more shifts at your regular job, make some extra bucks doing what you know, and take the plane to Weep No More.  That way you know your efforts will pay off.

John Breda

John,

  you're right on the money. The gal of polygone is $92.50 and the gel is 5 lb for $292. 

 

And i I second airparts of lock haven 

Edited October 9, 2015 by philipneeper

[N33GG]

Wow.  Very impressive!  Looks a lot like the inside of F-16 tanks....

[RobertGary1]

Regarding sealing tanks, it is an art and some experience sealing specifically Mooney tanks is necessary to truly get them sealed.  You can clean them by hand using Polygone gel (about $100/gal as I remember) but you will not get them as clean as the liquid sprayer process with the same chemical (Polygone).  You might consider taking on a few more shifts at your regular job, make some extra bucks doing what you know, and take the plane to Weep No More.  That way you know your efforts will pay off.

John Breda

Agreed with regard to a full strip and reseal. But for normal leak patching I think any owner can learn to do it in short order. You don't have to be very artistic, just slop it on making sure not to plug drain holes or glue the fuel float to the bottom of the tank.

 

-Robert