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Cowl painting question
I have the fiberglass parts about ready to paint. This paint is just to protect the material until I have 40 hours flown off and can take the plane to get a real paint job. I have read that the final paint shop will probably remove whatever paint I apply to get through the 40 hours. What are some paint s that I should consider? I was thinking Stewart System rather than a 2 part epoxy because it would be easier to sand off. Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance! |
Any minor flying damage to the fiberglass would be trivial to repair vs removing all that paint. I say leave it as-is and fly it like you stole .. er .. built it! :D
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Check with your painter but two local guys told me to use a two-part epoxy and they will sand it (maybe all off, maybe just scuff it) before they painted. Any non-epoxy primer would probably give a more porous and absorbent surface. |
Flew for two years with Stewart ekoprime only on the fiberglass. Plane is finally at paint shop now, and it was all easily removed.
Chris |
I painted the inside with a two part primer and covered it with reflective heat shield from Vans - to protect from oil/fuel. The exterior is still bare after 150 hours and a little over a year.
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Don?t forget fiberglass and ultraviolet light do not mix well. Put something on it.
This is what I do for flying before final paint: - Prep all fiberglass to fill pinholes per the Van?s instruction. - White two part epoxy primer on the inside of the cowl (e.g. PPG DP48LF). Two coats. Do this before first engine start. - Van?s stick on aluminum heat shield on the inside of the cowl in the obvious places (check for discolor after the first few flights and add as needed). - One coat of PPG epoxy primer on outside of the cowl and all fiberglass. - One coat PPG single stage paint in your choice of color on top of the primer. I find a medium blue goes well with the rest of the plane in bare aluminum. Reasons: - Anything you can do to prep the glass will be appreciated by your painter (especially if that painter is you). He might even drop the price a little as he?ll see the PITA fiberglass prep is well started. The primer and top coat paint will also give the paint guy material to block sand - that will only improve the final product. - Even though you plan on painting right after the flight test program, odds are you will be flying like this for some time. The simple extra step of adding a coat of color on the fiberglass will make it look worlds better. Carl |
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Most non-two part (i.e. catalyzed) paint will be porous and won't help with liquid contaminant intrusion of the fiberglass. Go to the local paint store and get a lower cost epoxy primer and spray two coats on. Also, some airborne contaminants can be just as much of a problem for paint adhesion as oil. Larry |
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I thought the flat white primer look in the glass parts was OK. :) I used Kirker epoxy primer in white and painted both the inside and outside of the cowl as you did - https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/kir...r-p-12620.aspx |
Southern Polyurathanes SPI
Consider using Southern Polyurathanes (SPI) epoxy primer. I have been very happy with the product and there customer support is first class. https://www.southernpolyurethanes.com
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