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 What
in the world are drain grommets?
>In a fabric covered airplane we must have some
method of eliminating trapped water and moisture. This is done using
drain grommets. A drain grommet is a small, round piece of plastic
or metal that is placed over fabric. After all chemicals coats have
been applied the drain grommet it opened up to allow moisture to
escape.
How
are drain grommets attached?
>They are attached using Poly-Tak fabric cement.
Simply glue them in place on the trailing edges of wings, controls,
etc. and the underneath side of a fuselage. Anywhere moisture can
escape.
Should
I place fabric over the top of a drain grommet?
>Yes, you should cut out a small piece of fabric
and place it over the drain grommet using Poly-Brush to attach it.
How
can I cut a piece of fabric to fit over the grommet?
>Use the inside of a roll of finishing tape as a
template. Draw a circle on a smooth piece of fabric using a pencil.
Cut the circle out using pinking shears.
After
the covering is complete how do I open the holes?
>Get a pencil soldering iron and carefully burn
through the holes. This will leave a nice clean edge. Do this after
the final color coat is applied.
Are
seaplane grommets just for seaplanes?
>No, you may put them on any airplane. They are
larger grommets with a correspondingly large drain hole. If you are
concerned about moisture accumulating within your airplane use
seaplane grommets.
What
material is used to make regular grommets?
>They are made out of plastic or thin aluminum.
Many people prefer the thin aluminum because it covers so easily
with fabric.
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