Where to get Fuel leaks fixed on the West Coast

[Jeev]

Well CRAP!!!  My tanks were done by Wetwingoligists in 2004 and until my recent paint job 4 months ago were dry as can be.  Now I have 3 leaks all around the inspection panels !! I have spoken to multiple people and they all say too much stripper was used around the tanks and worked itself into the rivets and seams.

I spoke with Edison at Wetwingoligists and eventhough I 100% believe it has nothing to do with his workmanship and everything to do with the paint shop I used he offered to do the work for only the cost of sealant, really a stand up guy.  My problem is I live in vegas and dont want to fly to Ft Lauderdale!!!  So I am contemplating Advanced Aircraft in Troutdale, OR, any PIREPS on them?

The leaks are only around the rivets on two inspection panels but are ruining my new Paint!!!

[Ron McBride]

I have heard good things about Advaned Aircraft. I beleive that Mitch had his tanks repaired there and Jolie's a complete strip and seal.

Who painted your plane?  

Thanks Ron

 

[Jeev]

Thanks, I don't want to go bashing the paint shop online untill they get a chance to make it right.  I am otherwise very satisfied with the paint.  Will update the thread when I get more info.

[Immelman]

Resealing the inspection panels themselves is straightforward if time-consuming... a lot more straight forward than finding and patching a tank leak or resealing the tank. Last year I spent some time and money chasing an internal tank leak and I did some (half or so) of the work involved in opening and closing the tank. I had the work done at my local FBO.

I would think most A&Ps with wet-wing fuel tank experience could do this. I think it is overkill to fly from Vegas to Oregon just to get the access panels resealed.. to get a complete strip and reseal job, sure, but not for the panels.

Most of the work is in removing the panels (your new paint will get messed up a bit, sorry), and then in cleaning up the panel surface where it contacts the wing skin to prepare it for new sealant.

 

[Jeev]

Immelman - thanks for your feedback. I will speak to my mechanic who is well versed in Mooneys and has done a few tank reseals.  From what i have uncovered the majority of the tanks have great sealant but are only leaking at the rivets on the inspection panels.  I will have the paint shop repaint the damage from the repair under their warrantee. 

[Skybrd]

Quote: Jeev

Well CRAP!!!  My tanks were done by Wetwingoligists in 2004 and until my recent paint job 4 months ago were dry as can be.  Now I have 3 leaks all around the inspection panels !! I have spoken to multiple people and they all say too much stripper was used around the tanks and worked itself into the rivets and seams.

I spoke with Edison at Wetwingoligists and eventhough I 100% believe it has nothing to do with his workmanship and everything to do with the paint shop I used he offered to do the work for only the cost of sealant, really a stand up guy.  My problem is I live in vegas and dont want to fly to Ft Lauderdale!!!  So I am contemplating Advanced Aircraft in Troutdale, OR, any PIREPS on them?

The leaks are only around the rivets on two inspection panels but are ruining my new Paint!!!

[Jeev]

Quote: Skybrd

 I have the same problems after my plane was painted at Artcraft in Santa Maria. Various leaks on both tanks. Mostly minor but not good on the new paint.  Maybe your right too much stripper. I just repainted my wing walk to hopefully stop some leaks on that area. 

 

[Immelman]

Jeev, good luck. Also just to clarify my prior post about doing this locally - I was thinking you were talking about a leak in how the access panel was sealed. Are the leaks more extensive, i.e. from a seam or rivet outside the panels?

Please keep us advised on how the issue resolves wrt the paint shop.

[Jeev]

No the leaks are isolated to rivets on the inspection panels.

[Jeev]

Here are pics of the leaks:

 

[pjsny78]

I took my plane to Paul beck at weep no more right before my paint job at ArtCraft to go over all the inspection panels. My plane just came out of the shop a few days ago and I have leaks now as well.

Good luck trying to get someone at ArtCraft to help you. I have been trying to get a touchup kit mailed to me and for them to paint 2 parts 1 of them that they broke and did not tell me anything about nor did they bother to just fix it. So far I have gotten no response. I can go on and on about my experience with them.

 

 

 

[Jeev]

So now we have 3 aircraft recently painted by Artcraft all previously not leaking now with leaks? This can not be a coincidence can it? I am going to call Artcraft on Monday and see what they have to say. 

I have changed the title of this thread to see if I can illicit more responses. I want emphasize I am not putting fault on Artcraft at this point and i am still very happy with the look and quality of my paint. We are pulling my leaking inspection panels on Monday and at that point we will be able to tell if paint stripper worked up into the sealant or the sealant is cracked and at fault.  I will take pictures of what I find and post them.

If you have had similar problems after a paint job please post your story.

Thanks everyone! 

[231Pilot]

This does not sound good.  Maybe after stripping the paint, the shop should make it a practice to remove and reseal inspection panels.  The cost, even if added to the orignial estimate, would have to be much less than the cost to repair (time, fuel, labor, etc.).  If this is happening routinely, it could hurt a shop's reputation.

[moodychief]

Last year when Paul Beck did my tanks at Wilmar I asked if there was anything I needed to know on how to ensure long life on the reseal.  He told me if I get it painted to make sure they strip by hand around the panels and don't let them use chemical strippers in those areas.

[pjsny78]

I just spoke to the people at artcraft and informed them of my fuel leaks. They basically blew me off saying that no one else has said anything and stripper will not cause any problems with the fuel tanks. I'm not going to comment on what I think about that argument but I'm sure you guys feel the same. They did say they will call me back but lets face it, How many times has this shopped called us back.

[DaV8or]

Wonder where Mitch and Jolie are? They've had two Mooneys painted at Artcraft and since they are based at Santa Maria, they seem to have a rapport with them.

[Jeev]

Update : I had my inspection panel pulled and re sealed last week it's dry now however when we were in there we found another leak at the top of the tank  that was running down the inside of the wing and making the cabin smell of AV gas so we patched that Monday.  Been sitting with full tanks for 24 hrs now so fingers crossed but I think we got them all.  

On a side note while my mechanic agrees that the tanks have been dry for the last 3 years and 700 hrs since I have owned my J and the leaks only started after my recent paint he DOES NOT think they were caused by stripper.  So who really knows?? I will be taking it back to Artcraft for touch up in a few months when in satisfied that the tanks are dry.  My paint still looks good :-) 

[Jeev]

Double post

[lamont337]

Quote: Jeev

Update : I had my inspection panel pulled and re sealed last week it's dry now however when we were in there we found another leak at the top of the tank  that was running down the inside of the wing and making the cabin smell of AV gas so we patched that Monday.  Been sitting with full tanks for 24 hrs now so fingers crossed but I think we got them all.  

On a side note while my mechanic agrees that the tanks have been dry for the last 3 years and 700 hrs since I have owned my J and the leaks only started after my recent paint he DOES NOT think they were caused by stripper.  So who really knows?? I will be taking it back to Artcraft for touch up in a few months when in satisfied that the tanks are dry.  My paint still looks good :-) 

[Jeev]

Quote: lamont337

Did you have the leaks fixed locally?

[Swingin]

I just had my tanks resealed by Greg at Advanced Aircraft in Troutdale, OR (first tank work ever for a '67 E).  Fast, professional, and very straightforward about his assessment of what I needed.  I would use their services again and I confidently recommend them to anyone.

[FullyArticulate]

For what it's worth, Greg and Ed (Advanced Aircraft in Troutdale) just finished a complete strip and re-seal on my 252. They did a great job, and are good people.

[mooney2201]

i had bladders put in ten years ago and no problems,,,,save yourself the headaches and put in the bladder system,now there is no loss of fuel..any mooney dealer can install...O&n bladders,,factoryville pa

[MooneyMitch]

Quote: FullyArticulate

For what it's worth, Greg and Ed (Advanced Aircraft in Troutdale) just finished a complete strip and re-seal on my 252. They did a great job, and are good people.

[carqwik]

I will also add a recommendation for Greg at Advanced Aircraft.  Both of the tanks leaked for years (on and off after patch jobs by Top Gun) until Mark Rouch at TG said that it was beyond patching now and take it to Troutdale.  I thought it was going to be a full strip/reseal but Greg took a look at it and said a full strip was unnecessary.  That saved several AMUs...and so far after a year of his repairs both tanks still holding.