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Better than TKS?

Piloto

By Piloto
in General Mooney Talk

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bnicolette Veteran

bnicolette

Posted
Posted

There are a few companies working on such chemicals but this is the first one I've seen that is offered to the public. Id be very interested in hearing how it works on the flying surfaces. Would be a great thing for those of us with no protection though.

I wish some company would test it out in the aviation arena. However i did read that the Eclipse Jet is using a similar chemical around the pitot static RVSM area for anti-icing.

Jerry 5TJ Grand Master

Jerry 5TJ

Posted
Posted

I've seen hydrophobic materials used in other industries, such as reducing ice formation on outdoor antennas.

Go ahead and get STC approval to put it on a Mooney, please!

bumper Community Regular

bumper

Posted
Posted

From their care and feeding instructions:

 

 

"Care and Repair:
Ultra-Ever Dry ®
 is a durable coating that exhibit superhydrophobicity and superoloephobicity. After curing the coatings will 
repel water mixtures and refined oil. Cleaning of the surface 
should be performed using low pressure water spray. The surface should demonstrate self cleaning properties under these 
conditions. Dust and dirt will rinse off easily. The surface
will remain completely dry. The surface will lose it properties if 
treated with detergents, soap, some solvents or high pressure 
water. Due to the natural oils in the skin, excessive handling 
with bare hands of treated materials can cause a reduction in 
performance as can severe abrasion."
 
 
Note that you must use low pressure water to clean the surface, "The surface will lose it (sic) properties if treated with . . . . or high pressure water.". Therein may be the Achilles heel for aircraft use. Precip hitting the aircraft is anything but low pressure. From other forums discussing this product, there is also an issue with most any sort of abrasion, as the coating is intolerant to even wiping with a wet rag etc. If the bugs don't rinse off (and they very well may, I don't know) then cleaning them off by mechanical or other fluid cleaners looks to be a no-no.
 
Given the cost, I'll wait for a pirep before diving in.
 
bumper
 
 

 

M016576 Grand Master

M016576

Posted
Posted

I found this anti-icing coating http://www.ultraeverdrystore.com/how-to-use/

that appears to be a better option than TKS for anti-icing.

1. Unlimited de-icing time

2. No added weight penalty

3. No pumps or power required

4. Maintenance free

5. No need to carry de-icing jugs

6. $40,000 cheaper than TKS

Anyone had any experience with it?

José

That stuff looks amazing... Might try some on my driveway ....

RocketAviator Mentor

RocketAviator

Posted
Posted

I recommend you check this out online, I did some weeks ago. Especially the non biased reports... Great to keep stuff dry not necessarily free from ice....

I like the idea but not a safe idea in my book!

1964-M20E Grand Master

1964-M20E

Posted
Posted

It also says it leaves a white translucent film on the surface.

I see something like this to reduce the possibility of icing or slow the ice buildup down to give you more time to reverse course and get out not as a replacement for FIKI.

Piloto Grand Master

Piloto

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Painting an airplane doesn't require an STC.  Making it FIKI, however, does.

I wasn't thinking about using this for FIKI conditions since that requires also windshield de-icing. But more for that unexpected icing condition that can slow you down.

 

One way to apply the coating to your plane without impairing the pain job:

 

1. Tape the wing leading edge with 6" wide black protective tape.

2. Tape the perimeter of the protective black tape with masking tape to prevent over spray painting.

3. Spray the bottom and top coatings as per the product instructions on the protective black tape.

 

The protective tape also acts as a thermal insulator from the cold metal wing. If you are not satisfied with the product you just remove the protective tape and return the plane back to the original condition.

 

You may not get ice on the wings but for sure on the windshield. Which is not a problem until you come for landing. You can partially de-ice the windshield by opening the windshield vents and the heat. Blocking the bottom heat vent gives more heat to the windshield. Allow at least 5 minutes to de-ice. I found that you get enough clear area to see the runway.

 

Hydrophobic coatings also have the potential of increasing the plane speed performance.

 

This is a good weekend project for winter.

 

Good luck

 

José 

  • Like 1
RocketAviator Mentor

RocketAviator

Posted
Posted

You may want to check these sites out before you bet your life on it!!

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/frost-formation-1222.html

 

I am not positive but I believe these two products are very similar!

 

http://www.neverwet.com/anti-icing.php

 

http://www.ultraeverdrystore.com/

 

There is a fair amount of hype and research on some of these technologies (my first impression is mostly hype when they are trying to sell it, research when not!!!)

 

Don't get me wrong I am a BIG FAN of new technologies and have great interest in this type of product since I do fly a lot in IMC and just  early this year lost all pitot instruments when I unintentionally flew into ice!  I have other interest in this type of product for my business as well but not sure I am ready to try it on either of my airplanes just yet!

RocketAviator Mentor

RocketAviator

Posted
Posted

I wasn't thinking about using this for FIKI conditions since that requires also windshield de-icing. But more for that unexpected icing condition that can slow you down.

 

One way to apply the coating to your plane without impairing the pain job:

 

1. Tape the wing leading edge with 6" wide black protective tape.

2. Tape the perimeter of the protective black tape with masking tape to prevent over spray painting.

3. Spray the bottom and top coatings as per the product instructions on the protective black tape.

 

The protective tape also acts as a thermal insulator from the cold metal wing. If you are not satisfied with the product you just remove the protective tape and return the plane back to the original condition.

 

You may not get ice on the wings but for sure on the windshield. Which is not a problem until you come for landing. You can partially de-ice the windshield by opening the windshield vents and the heat. Blocking the bottom heat vent gives more heat to the windshield. Allow at least 5 minutes to de-ice. I found that you get enough clear area to see the runway.

 

Hydrophobic coatings also have the potential of increasing the plane speed performance.

 

This is a good weekend project for winter.

 

Good luck

 

José 

 

Now Jose may be on to something here and something I would be interested in checking into further, but my main concern would be wrongfully and possibly fatally expecting it to be a reliable safety belt if you will!

 

Also I am not sure any tape that would reliably stand up to the flying is something I want to stick on my new Rocket paint job!!  Especially when it comes time to peel it off!

 

If anyone tries this let me know...

Super Dave Collaborator

Super Dave

Posted
Posted

If this stuff was effective at protecting the leading edges, it would only result in the moisture rolling back and freezing behind the protected areas.

This would be more detrimental than if the moisture had frozen at the leading edge in the first place.

bnicolette Veteran

bnicolette

Posted
Posted

I'll be very anxious to hear how it works José!

Yeah!!. Looking forward to try it out this summer in the Bahamas. Will let you know.

José

Ah ha. I guess you're gonna have to go Really high then. ;-)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

yvesg Mentor

yvesg

Posted
Posted

Now Jose may be on to something here and something I would be interested in checking into further, but my main concern would be wrongfully and possibly fatally expecting it to be a reliable safety belt if you will!

 

Also I am not sure any tape that would reliably stand up to the flying is something I want to stick on my new Rocket paint job!!  Especially when it comes time to peel it off!

 

If anyone tries this let me know...

I see duct tape on the local flight club 172s all the time. They use it to block air vents in winter and patch other stuff around!

Yves

bnicolette Veteran

bnicolette

Posted
Posted

They sell it at Pep Boys...Its called Rain-X..

I've witnessed an emergency room physician spraying that on his BD-4 years ago. He said he also would use Pam (cooking non stick spray) on occasion. What a "wack a doo".

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

RocketAviator Mentor

RocketAviator

Posted
Posted

I see duct tape on the local flight club 172s all the time. They use it to block air vents in winter and patch other stuff around!

Yves

Yves, Duct tape is great but unless I am needing to make some sort of an emergency repair...there is NO way I am putting Duct Tape on my paint!  You ever put duct tape on something and leave it in the sun for a while it will take the paint right off, not to mention a real pain in the @#$%@ if you can even get it off... Thanks but NO THANKS!

bumper Community Regular

bumper

Posted
Posted

I use Pam cooking spray as a non-stick coating on my tractor mounted snow blower. Helps keep the snow from sticking and bunging things up until the snow blower temperature drops enough. This is all well and good when it snows soon after the Pam application. If not, the Pam turns into a gooey sticky coating. Not something I'll be spraying on my Mooney, thank you.

 

bumper

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