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03-01-2018, 11:55 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 703
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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!
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RV 7
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03-01-2018, 12:12 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 1,645
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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! 
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RV-14A #140376
N196 (Flying)
2019 Bronze Lindy
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03-01-2018, 12:24 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkervaski
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! 
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Maybe, but I would be more concerned about oil/grease soaking into the fiberglass surface than minor damage.
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.
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
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03-01-2018, 12:25 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL KCLW
Posts: 1,281
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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
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Chris Johnson
RV-9A - Done(ish) 4/5/16! Flying 4/7/16
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03-01-2018, 01:52 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Richmond Hill, GA (KLHW)
Posts: 2,189
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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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Ray
RV-7A - Slider - N495KL - First flt 27 Jan 17
O-360-A4M w/ AFP FM-150 FI, Dual PMags, Vetterman Trombone Exh, SkyTech starter, BandC Alt (PP failed after 226 hrs)
Catto 3 blade NLE, FlightLines Interior, James cowl, plenum & intake, Anti-Splat -14 seat mod and nose gear support
All lines by TSFlightLines (aka Hoser)
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03-01-2018, 02:02 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,596
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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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03-01-2018, 02:56 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 5,297
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Quote:
Originally Posted by az_gila
Maybe, but I would be more concerned about oil/grease soaking into the fiberglass surface than minor damage.
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.
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+1
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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N64LR - RV-6A / IO-320, Flying as of 8/2015
N11LR - RV-10, Flying as of 12/2019
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03-01-2018, 04:25 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl Froehlich
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.
...........
Carl
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Exactly what I did, except for the last step of a color coat.
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
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
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03-01-2018, 05:16 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Medford, NJ USA
Posts: 283
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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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03-02-2018, 10:11 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Montreal
Posts: 1,456
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl Froehlich
Don?t forget fiberglass and ultraviolet light do not mix well. Put something on it.
Carl
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Just to be a picky PITA, it is not the fiberglass that breaks down, it is the epoxy resin that holds it together. I would use any good 2 part acrylic urethane primer. It is high quality, compatible with any paint, sticks like crazy, cures quickly and it will seal and protect the cowling. Being catalized it will be impervious to most things - thinners etc. They make it high build so you can fill the weave and other imperfections.
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Scott Black
Old school simple VFR RV 4, O-320, wood prop, MGL iEfis Lite
VAF dues 2020
Instagram @sblack2154
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