VAF Forums

VAF Forums (https://vansairforce.net/community/index.php)
-   RV-7/7A (https://vansairforce.net/community/forumdisplay.php?f=7)
-   -   Landing gear fairing question (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=86641)

Charles in SC 05-23-2012 07:44 PM

Landing gear fairing question
 
I bought the fairings that Van's sells. They were made on a male mold so they are slick on the inside and the outside has the rough fabric weave.
My question is what is the best way to slick them up on the outside?
It seems that the options that I can think of are to spread a coat of micro slurry on and sand smooth. I also have some very light glass deck cloth. I could put a layer of this cloth on it and then smooth it over with micro slurry.
Any other ideas are welcome.

Brantel 05-23-2012 07:49 PM

Do yourself a favor and send those back and buy these:

http://rvbits.mybigcommerce.com/rv6-...tion-fairings/

They come out of the box ready to paint after you mount em up.

GLPalinkas 05-23-2012 08:01 PM

Ditto
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Brantel (Post 662135)
Do yourself a favor and send those back and buy these:

http://rvbits.mybigcommerce.com/rv6-...tion-fairings/

They come out of the box ready to paint after you mount em up.

Ditto what Brian said. Awesome fit out of the box for my aircraft (-6)

Installed and painted.

Charles in SC 05-23-2012 08:47 PM

Assuming that I am not going to send them back, does anyone have any good suggestions?

Bootscooter 05-24-2012 04:46 AM

Keep them then AND also order from RVBits, an outstanding product. Coating them with be Flox, super fill, hi fill, or combination thereof will be a lot of work.

DanH 05-24-2012 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles in SC (Post 662172)
Assuming that I am not going to send them back, does anyone have any good suggestions?

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=22931

Posts 14, 15, 17, and 18.

Please accept my compliments....you're attempting to acquire actual airplane building skills among those who apparently only wish to exercise their credit cards.

RKellogg 05-24-2012 07:28 AM

Leg fairings
 
FWIW, I might consider sanding the exterior surface until it is smooth. Goes quickly with the right equipment. The sanding screen for sanding drywall seams works well for me. Rip the screen into 2 x 4 inch strips, fold over a small block of wood, and start recriprocating. Light weight is good. Good luck!

- Roger

Doug 05-24-2012 05:51 PM

Dan's post 15 holds the magic.

Do not be tempted to add a thick coat versus the three thin coats of raw epoxy. If you do it will likely sag and you will need to go back a step and start over.

Add primer only when you are satisfied with the finish - primer does not fill the surface defects.

Brantel 05-24-2012 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanH (Post 662284)
Please accept my compliments....you're attempting to acquire actual airplane building skills among those who apparently only wish to exercise their credit cards.

Charles,

Yep, those of us that did not want to spend a fortune in time and money making those peices of poo work and look like something could never have any real aircraft building skills. You better listen to the experts....

GLPalinkas 05-24-2012 06:54 PM

Ditto....again
 
Ditto....again, what Brian said. My project got to the point where I just wanted to finish it and not spend endless hours fitting parts that should have fit better in the first place. RVBits fairings are available at:

RVBits full set fairings .... $185 at Cleaveland Tool
http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/p...number=RV67IF4

Van's are $149

Personally, $36 well spent in time and effort.

Not wishing to start a war here DanH as your fiberglass skills are legendary. However, mine are not and after 14+ years of building, I was just itching to fly. He is not building his own fairings as you have done but attempting to fit Van's fairings. Good Luck with that, as many have said.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:16 AM.