REJUVINATOR?

I have an older model in silk and clear SIG butyrate. The surface on the open wing bays is beginning to check and I suspect before long it will split and require a re-cover.BRODAK sells a REJUVINATOR, and I'm not familiar wih such a product. If I spray REJUVINATOR, will it work? Anyone have precautions I should know about? I would appreciate your suggestions.

Ask Windy.

BIGS

" What constitutes the dignity of a craft is that it creates a fellowship, that it binds men together and fashions for them a common language. For there is but one problem - the problem of human relations."

Hi Floyd. I have a very old Ringmaster (circa 1960's) covered in silk that was starting to crack. I applied three coats of rejuvenator (Brodaks) as per instructions and the silk is more plyable. But man oh man does that stuff stink! But it works.

Dope rejuvenators have been around since before the 1920's (at least that's the earliest reference I've seen). Dope plasticizers dry out, then the dope film cracks as the covering flexes. Rejuvenators have strong solvents to penetrate the old film, and have more plasticizers to restore flexibility.

I have tried the Brodak product and find it requires significant reducing to allow spraying. It worked better for me to reduce with retarder to give the rejuvenator time to penetrate. With a wide sable brush it flows beautifully (if reduced), so spraying may not be absolutely necessary. I just applied it by brush to a very old but glossy finish and it didn't rope at all. It will not work miracles, but does give the finish a few more years of life.

Also, be aware that this stuff has strong and pungent aroma. I have never minded the smell of dope, but rejuvenator is pretty harsh.

Bill Groman

Thanks to all. I mixed Brodak Rejuvenator 50-50 and sprayed it on. It seems to be working! It also acts like clear coats, which I didn't use 10 years ago when I built this plane. Looks better than new!

So far as I can tell, the Brodak rejuvenator does nothing to Aerogloss. No one said it would, but I wish it did. Oh well!