Being the owner doing preventive maintenance on a certified airplane doesn't let you ignore the FARs. From 43.13--
(a) Each person performing maintenance, alteration, or preventive maintenance on an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance shall use the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the current manufacturer's maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness prepared by its manufacturer, or other methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator, except as noted in Sec. 43.16. He shall use the tools, equipment, and test apparatus necessary to assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices.
Is coating a tire with bedliner described in a maintenance manual?
Is coating a tire with bedliner acceptable to the FAA administrator?
Is coating a tire with bedliner described in an Instruction for Continued Airworthiess?
Is coating a tire with bedliner an accepted industry practice?
I don't see the FAA acceping a yes to any of these.
(b) Each person maintaining or altering, or performing preventive maintenance, shall do that work in such a manner and use materials of such a quality, that the condition of the aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance worked on will be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition (with regard to aerodynamic function, structural strength, resistance to vibration and deterioration, and other qualities affecting airworthiness).
If the bedliner flakes off or otherwise separates from the tire, does it meet the "original or properly altered condition"? Does the "tread" of bushwheels flake off before bedliner is applied?
I don't see a yes here either.
The one thing I am having difficulty finding is about the non-airworthiness of a bias tire when wear, cracks, or cuts expose the underlying fabric. Would we agree that a bushwheel worn to the cord no longer meets the FAA's definition of airworthy? Does applying bedliner make an nonairworthy tire airworthy again? Is there even an accepted industry practice of recapping a tire that is worn to the cord showing? As much as I sympathize with the desire to extend the life of a very expensive tire, I think this a losing argument for all but the experimental guys and maybe a loser for them too, unless they are documenting coating tires as an experiment. That might depend on just what it says in the operational limitations and how it's interpreted. jrh
Is coating a tire with bedliner described in a maintenance manual?
Nope, there is nothing of any type of "repair" to include patching a leak.
Is coating a tire with bedliner acceptable to the FAA administrator?
Is painting your airframe acceptable? This is by all accounts a thick paint.
Is coating a tire with bedliner described in an Instruction for Continued Airworthiess?
There are no MX items in the CA document.
Is coating a tire with bedliner an accepted industry practice?
Dont know - Where are all the accepted industry practices located? I would bet there not written down anywhere and change on a regular basis.
If the bedliner flakes off or otherwise separates from the tire, does it meet the "original or properly altered condition"? Does the "tread" of bushwheels flake off before bedliner is applied?
I don't see a yes here either.
Properly applied bedliner wont "Flake" off. Period. Bedliner will wear just like the tire tread. This is from my experience as a contractor in the bedliner business. I can understand the questions but your guessing based on ideas that you have. I have over 12 years in the coatings industry and I know that will not happen.
The one thing I am having difficulty finding is about the non-airworthiness of a bias tire when wear, cracks, or cuts expose the underlying fabric. Would we agree that a bushwheel worn to the cord no longer meets the FAA's definition of airworthy? Does applying bedliner make an nonairworthy tire airworthy again?
Yes, just like applying a patch.
Is there even an accepted industry practice of recapping a tire that is worn to the cord showing?
Not sure but I bet yes.
As much as I sympathize with the desire to extend the life of a very expensive tire, I think this a losing argument for all but the experimental guys and maybe a loser for them too, unless they are documenting coating tires as an experiment. That might depend on just what it says in the operational limitations and how it's interpreted.
Thats your opnion, I on the other hand have a different one. I am very comfortable with my decision and work.