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-   -   Priming Questions from A Prospective Builder (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=179759)

BTP880 02-21-2020 09:45 AM

Priming Questions from A Prospective Builder
 
To prime or not to prime?

That is the question at hand, from what I can tell this is a controversial subject. What are your opinions? Is it worth it?

Additionally im looking at building in a 2-car sized detached garage at home, I don't have room for a paint booth without building something (possible). Trying to determine if its worth it to prime and if it is, how I will do so in a reasonable manner. It seams that proper primer with the air gun and all is the way to go but this sounds like a lot of extra cost especially when I would have to build a paint booth.

Any and all advice is welcome!

Toobuilder 02-21-2020 09:54 AM

Your answer lies in the 331 threads dedicated to the subject in the "never ending debate" section of this forum.

David Paule 02-21-2020 10:11 AM

The experiences of folks with corrosion in your area, especially at local airports, will tell you if you need to prime or not.

In a dry area you probably don't. In an area where there's more moisture or industrial pollution, maybe you should.

Dave

andrewtac 02-21-2020 10:18 AM

You can prime outside (open air no paint booth required).

wirejock 02-21-2020 10:28 AM

Prime
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewtac (Post 1409473)
You can prime outside (open air no paint booth required).

Agreed. I primed most everything outside in a barn. Interior parts were primed and painted in the barn. Often temps were close to freezing.
Whatever you choose, spray it light. Paint weight adds up quick. Especially in the tail. You only need a thin layer to protect for a very long time. That's why I chose P60G2.
If you prime, buy a good respirator or a Hobby Air positive pressure system.
If you prime, research surface prep. No primer will do it's job if the surface is not properly prepped.

BTP880 02-21-2020 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toobuilder (Post 1409468)
Your answer lies in the 331 threads dedicated to the subject in the "never ending debate" section of this forum.

When I looked there originally it showed me that there were only 4 threads, didn't realize you could sort by how far back it went. Now I see that there are more.

Sam Buchanan 02-21-2020 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTP880 (Post 1409467)
To prime or not to prime?
<snip>
Any and all advice is welcome!

Ok.....I'll bite. :D

Here is an article on priming I wrote in 1997 when I was building my RV-6:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/journal/priming.html

Flash forward to 2020.....I still fly the RV-6 and it shows no evidence of corrosion. Take this as one datapoint. :)

Best wishes for a very enjoyable journey!

gmcjetpilot 02-21-2020 12:04 PM

As others said. Sam has a great web site. I am a fan of primer. There are areas you MUST prime. Most areas are optional.

My advice is pick a good aerospace brand of primer AkzoNobel, PPG, Sherwin-Williams for example. Brand not important, but would pick one with a local distributor you can buy direct. You will need etching and alodine solution as well. You will mix the primer stuff two part, and use a cheap spray gun is fine. The good stuff is expensive, but it will do the whole plane. Rattle can is more expensive by ounce and inferior protection.

Second advice paint in batches. Prime a bunch of parts all at one time. You can prime parts you have not fitted and touch up as required. It will save time. Setting up to prime takes time. Last this is hazardous to health. Wear good breathing protection in well ventilated area. I am not kidding. :eek: (PS you do NOT have to put it on thick)

rvanstory 02-21-2020 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTP880 (Post 1409467)
Additionally im looking at building in a 2-car sized detached garage at home, I don't have room for a paint booth without building something (possible). Trying to determine if its worth it to prime and if it is, how I will do so in a reasonable manner.

No comment on whether to prime or not (I am) BUT if you do prime you don't have to have a booth. I used SW self etching primer that Van's uses and LOVED it! Easy to spray outside and dries really quick. The best advice I have is to build a stand like the one in the picture with chicken wire. Allows the air from spray gun to keep parts stable against the screen. Priming small parts on a solid top will blow them all over the place.

I also like this sprayer from 3M. https://www.amazon.com/Accuspray-165...2312071&sr=8-4 Disposable cups and ends and cleanup is easiest ever! Won't give a car like finish, but it's primer.





BTP880 02-21-2020 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot (Post 1409498)
As other said. Sam has a great web site. I am a fan of primer. There are areas you MUST prime. Some optional.

My advice is pick a good aerospace brand of primer AkzoNobel, PPG, Sherwin-Williams for example. Brand not important, but would pick one with a local distributor you can buy direct. You will need etching and alodine solution as well. You will mix this stuff two part primer and use a cheap spray gun is fine. The good stuff is expensive, but it will do the whole plane. Rattle can is more expensive by ounce and inferior protection.

Second advice paint in batches. Prime a bunch of parts all at one time. You can prime parts you have not fitted and touch up as required. It will save time. Setting up to prime takes time. Last this is hazardous to health. Wear good breathing protection in well ventilated area. I am not kidding. :eek: (PS you do NOT have to put it on thick)

I have found these articles that talk about alternatives to alodine:

http://myrv14build.blogspot.com/p/priming.html

http://rvplane.com/priming/

I like these methods as they avoid having to deal with the alodine. Anyone have any experiance with them?


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