Tank Reseal Looking for PIREP for Houston Tank Specialists, LLC

[PTK]

I wonder what the chemistry is between sealant and aluminum substrate. Does it bond to the aluminum?? Seems to me the only way it could form a seal is if it bonded.

[markejackson02]

8 minutes ago, PTK said:

I wonder what the chemistry is between sealant and aluminum substrate. Does it bond to the aluminum?? Seems to me the only way it could form a seal is if it bonded.

Oh it bonds to everything.  My shirt, my pants, my workbench......

Once on and cured, it is pretty hard to remove.  Requires a chemical solvent and lots of scraping with plastic tools.

[LANCECASPER]

Since the Acclaim almost ten years ago all Acclaims and Ovations have had sealant between the vertical and horizontal pieces before the tanks were put together. I haven't heard of any of them needing re-seals yet. Before that in some airplanes tanks were leaking in 5-7 years.

[redraider]

All,

My bird is back and sat to cure for two weeks, full of fuel, with no leaks prior to me picking it up today.  Only an hour of flight time and one pretty good landing so no real test yet, but I am satisfied with the straightforwardness of Carl and Houston Tank Specialist, LLC.  I would recommend without hesitation.  6 year transferable warranty as well (plus some neat goodies as parting gifts, to boot).

Any questions, please holler...

 

[carusoam]

Great review RR.

Periodic update of continued success would be great.  Any issues and how they get treated would be good too.

Best regards,

-a-

[redraider]

Will do.

[kris_adams]

On 2/1/2016 at 6:33 PM, Hank said:

Patching is risky, more so with older models. I'd recommend a reseal when it gets bad enough. Mine took three annuals to reach that point after I bought her, and I went to Wet Wingologists in the fall of 2010.

similar story here.  We kept making repairs but it was like whack a mole at the county fair.  Fix one and then a different leak would appear.  Sure wish I didn't waste any money on the early patches.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Kris_Adams

[Pictreed]

I may give this a try too.  I was set for MN but that's a long haul for something I can get done fairly local. 

[NickG]

Well, it’s a few years since the last post. They just quoted me 18k for both tanks. Not sure why they’re 7k more expensive than weep no more or wetwingologists. Maybe I’m missing something….

[NickG]

2 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

They did you a huge favor by quoting you that, so it makes it easy to not give them a second thought. They know the two other shops have a long wait and they are trying to gouge people that need it now. Even though I am in Texas, based on two people that I know that have gone there I wouldn't let them seal the tank on my lawn mower.

Funnily enough, they told me they were booked up until 2025

[DCarlton]

If I can't make it to my appt in MN in Sep, I'm giving up and going with bladders.  Hope to make it all the way this time.  

[EricJ]

6 hours ago, NickG said:

Funnily enough, they told me they were booked up until 2025

I think they figured out they can charge more.   It probably won't be long until the other shops do, too, or perhaps until additional shops open up with the capability.

 

[hazek]

Price of everything has gone up. It's natural for shops to charge more 8 years later. With the skilled labor shortage we probably should get ready to pay even more unfortunately.