Fuel tank reseal

[Lancer11A]

I’m sure a few of you have had your tanks stripped and resealed.  Looking at Weep No More out of Minnesota and wet wing from Florida.  Big difference in cost.  Any insight for both would be appreciated 

Paul

1966 M20C

[aviatoreb]

27 minutes ago, Lancer11A said:

I’m sure a few of you have had your tanks stripped and resealed.  Looking at Weep No More out of Minnesota and wet wing from Florida.  Big difference in cost.  Any insight for both would be appreciated 

Paul

1966 M20C

I used weep no more and they were fantastic. I cannot contrast to the Florida business.

E

[Greg Ellis]

I can only speak of Weep No More.  Paul Beck is fantastic at what he does and I could not recommend him more highly.  He was also very helpful in teaching me how to properly replace the side windows in my airplane.  He will go out of his way to help.

[Jim Peace]

1 hour ago, Lancer11A said:

I’m sure a few of you have had your tanks stripped and resealed.  Looking at Weep No More out of Minnesota and wet wing from Florida.  Big difference in cost.  Any insight for both would be appreciated 

Paul

1966 M20C

do you mind sharing the quotes?

[ohdub]

I can also say that Paul Beck is fantastic. Very friendly, professional and great at what he does. He did the tanks on my J about 5 years ago and I've had no problems with them. So that's my vote for Weep no More, but I've never dealt with the shop in Florida so I can't comment on them.

[mike_elliott]

Paul is the best. He has forgotten more about tank care than the factory knows.

Full disclosure: Weep no More, LLC is one of the founding sponsors of the Mooney Summit. Please consider patronizing a business that supports the Mooney Community. I have personal experience with Weep no More and while I live a short hop from KFXE, If I had a Mooney that needed the tanks resealed, it would be in line to go to Willmar, MN.

[SkyBound]

Another vote for Weep No More. I recently had my tanks resealed and Monroy extended range tanks installed there. Paul is a hard worker, his craftsmanship and attention to detail are incredible. Paul genuinely loves what he does and that comes through in the results. I highly recommend.

--Alex 

[RobertGary1]

They all the use same method. Cost is based on geography. I’m paying an extra $1500 to do mine on the west coast to save the longer trip.  If you don’t mind flying further you can save money jn the Midwest. But you’ll spend it on fueL and airfare. 

[mike_elliott]

7 hours ago, RobertGary1 said:

They all the use same method.

Paul developed a chemical strip process that eliminates the scraping needed that can damage the Alcalde coating. Are you sure they all use Pauls' method? I understand he was licensing the system for a while. If your saying they all use sealant then yes, they all use the same method. I guess its like all engine rebuilders use wrenches. Personally, I would want the best to do mine, as well as the tanks.

 

[Hank]

7 hours ago, RobertGary1 said:

They all the use same method. 

That was not my experience. Paul Beck developed an in-tank chemical stripping machine that he has licensed out to several places (Troutdale, OR and the Maxwells in TX, possibly others). Edison at Wet Wingologists does much more hand scraping with plastic tools and uses much less chemical strippers, resulting in far less (often none) paint damage. A new name is Houston Tank Specialists, but although they maintain a presence here, I don't kniw much about them.

When I did my tanks in 2010, Wet Wings and Weep No More were very similar in price, but travel expenses were significantly different from WV to FL vs. WV to MN. Edison actually drove me across Ft. Lauderdale to the other airport to fly home the afternoon that I left my Mooney with him, as there was only twice-weekly airline service available for me. He came in exactly on budget and my Mooney was sitting in his hangar with full tanks early in the morning when I arrived to pick it up. So far, no troubles.

I've met Paul Beck several times, he is a stand-up guy and devoted to his business and his craft, and has many fans and supporters here.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Just budget money for travel (home after you leave your plane, then out to pick it up). 

[mooneyflyfast]

I had one tank resealed by Weep no more and the other by Houston tank specialists. The cost was about the same and both did good work.  

[mike_elliott]

12 minutes ago, Hank said:

That was not my experience. Paul Beck developed an in-tank chemical stripping machine that he has licensed out to several places (Troutdale, OR and the Maxwells in TX, possibly others). Edison at Wet Wingologists does much more hand scraping with plastic tools and uses much less chemical strippers, resulting in far less (often none) paint damage. A new name is Houston Tank Specialists, but although they maintain a presence here, I don't kniw much about them.

When I did my tanks in 2010, Wet Wings and Weep No More were very similar in price, but travel expenses were significantly different from WV to FL vs. WV to MN. Edison actually drove me across Ft. Lauderdale to the other airport to fly home the afternoon that I left my Mooney with him, as there was only twice-weekly airline service available for me. He came in exactly on budget and my Mooney was sitting in his hangar with full tanks early in the morning when I arrived to pick it up. So far, no troubles.

I've met Paul Beck several times, he is a stand-up guy and devoted to his business and his craft, and has many fans and supporters here.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Just budget money for travel (home after you leave your plane, then out to pick it up). 

One supports the Summit, The Mooney Flyer, Mooneyspace, the West Coast Mooney Club and other Mooney community. Hopefully, this enters into the decision process, not just proximity and bottom line.

[Hank]

Just now, mike_elliott said:

One supports the Summit, The Mooney Flyer, Mooneyspace, the West Coast Mooney Club and other Mooney community. Hopefully, this enters into the decision process, not just proximity and bottom line.

My tanks were done as the Summits were just getting going . . . .

[mooneyflyer]

Paul Beck of Weep No More is hands down the best

[mike_elliott]

56 minutes ago, Hank said:

My tanks were done as the Summits were just getting going . . . .

 I had him do mine 10 years before the first Summit. At the time, my choices were Midwest M20 Urethane, Edison, and Paul. A phone interview with each and my decision was made. Im glad i didnt go with the urethane, as there is another thread on it and maintenance issues here recently posted. Bladders were an option at a loss of GW and loss of capacity (only 52 gal back in the day) for a greater cost. Pauls work was done 16 years ago and to my understanding, the new owner of 9427V hasnt seen any issues

[RobertGary1]

1 hour ago, mike_elliott said:

Paul developed a chemical strip process that eliminates the scraping needed that can damage the Alcalde coating. Are you sure they all use Pauls' method? I understand he was licensing the system for a while. If your saying they all use sealant then yes, they all use the same method. I guess its like all engine rebuilders use wrenches. Personally, I would want the best to do mine, as well as the tanks.

 

That’s what other shops told me. They are licensing his method. 

[DonMuncy]

1 hour ago, mike_elliott said:

One supports the Summit, The Mooney Flyer, Mooneyspace, the West Coast Mooney Club and other Mooney community. Hopefully, this enters into the decision process, not just proximity and bottom line.

Didn't Houston Tank Specialists donate the use of vans to transport attendees at the Summit?

[mike_elliott]

6 minutes ago, DonMuncy said:

Didn't Houston Tank Specialists donate the use of vans to transport attendees at the Summit?

Yes Don, Carl Sharon of Houston Tank helped defray the cost of the van. Thanks Carl!

[glafaille]

During my airplane shopping adventure I examined more than one aircraft that had recently been re-sealed, but still had fuel leaks.  Although they were still under warranty, the hassle of taking the plane back to the shop prevented the owners from doing so.  I would say that it is very important to have the work done as close as possible to your home airport or give more consideration to bladders.

[ArtVandelay]

I would say that it is very important to have the work done as close as possible to your home airport

I would say that is true of any major work: avionics upgrade, paint, engine overhaul, interior.....

[chriscalandro]

Both shops are good. I would choose whichever one is closer or has a timeframe compatible with yours. 
 

at the end of the day it’s not complicated, just takes time and makes a mess. 

Edited December 23, 2020 by chriscalandro

[buddy]

I used wet wingolojist and Edison did a great job.

[shawnd]

I am planning on doing mine at Advanced Aircraft in Troutdale, OR  and heard they have the same process but will get more details soon. At the end of the day, he offers 7 year warranty and along with being an hour away, makes it an easy choice. @Lancer11A be sure to check for warranty and get the documentation.

[Hradec]

I recently left a msg with Paul at weep no more, I'm the guy doing major structural work and have the horrible urethane stc on my aircraft.

Paul called me back, chatted with me for a long time and answered many technical question. 

If I have some tank work, I'm sending to him. He earned my business by returning my call and by Sharing his wealth  of knowkedge.

There is usually a cost savings in the long run by going with the best.

G

[carusoam]

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