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05-14-2012, 06:29 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 08A
Posts: 9,500
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Looks like some builders would merely like to ensure the finish paint bridges any gap between rivet head and skin. FWIW, two coats of PPG epoxy primer followed by base and clear left nothing unbridged, without any prior filling.
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Dan Horton
RV-8 SS
Barrett IO-390
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05-14-2012, 08:44 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
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judging of an aluminum plane
As for an aluminim airplane looking like an aluminum airplane - you make yours look like you want and how about you let me make mine how I want?
I have no interest in having my plane judged at AV or anywhere else for that matter. The only judging I really care about will be done by my wife and I. As for adding more work and more weight, since I will be doing the work and the added weight will be less than a second coat of primer, neither of those issues are concerns for me.
Dan is the expert as far as fiberglass and finish and thanks for the info. I think you and RV7Guy's ideas are great for bridging the edge of the rivet to the skin. When I look at the top side of wings, no matter how great you are at riveting, the rivet line has dimples. It is more noticeable with a shinny paint job. That is what I want to go away. Just a quick skim over the rivet line with a mixture of epoxy or glazing filler, sand, prime, then paint.
Vickruis did their entire -7 and only used 32oz - then probably sanded at least 50% of that off. Weight is not an issue. The photo looks great - to me and my wife and I are that matters. I will take some photos as I try the different methods.
Thanks to those who have offered ideas on different ways to make my wings smoother. I appreciate your time and ideas.
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rockwoodrv9a
Williamston MI
O-320 D2A
Awaiting DAR Inspection
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05-14-2012, 11:00 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ottawa, Ks
Posts: 2,188
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I apologize, just expressing my opinion.
If I could do it over again, I would defer all of the extra beauty work and off plans additions until after I was flying. A baggage floor toolbox here, aluminum canopy trim strips there, hidden hinge cowl covers etc...7 years later I am still 1 1/2 - 2 years out from flying. I'm now in the simplify to fly mode.
I know some modifications are best done as you are building, but you can easily fill the rivets after flying.
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05-14-2012, 11:06 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crabandy
I know some modifications are best done as you are building, but you can easily fill the rivets after flying.
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You might want to get advise from painters on this. Once flying, some areas may get oil in the rivets. That may be difficult to clean to have fillers bond properly.
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05-14-2012, 11:22 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
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If you want a real exercise in wasted time, try filling all the pop rivets on an RV12! Yes, it can be done and has been done, I intend to do it on mine. Remember, there are 12,500 of them suckers, and a syringe to vaccinate horses is what you use to fill all them holes.
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05-14-2012, 11:50 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
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no apology necessary
Quote:
Originally Posted by crabandy
I apologize, just expressing my opinion.
If I could do it over again, I would defer all of the extra beauty work and off plans additions until after I was flying. A baggage floor toolbox here, aluminum canopy trim strips there, hidden hinge cowl covers etc...7 years later I am still 1 1/2 - 2 years out from flying. I'm now in the simplify to fly mode.
I know some modifications are best done as you are building, but you can easily fill the rivets after flying.
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Sometimes posts don't read the same as they are thought to mean when written. I have no issue with other opinions and enjoy reading them - and considering them. On a quickly written post, it is easy to miss the emotion intended - at least it is by me. Thanks for taking the time to let me know your thoughts.
I agree with you about getting into the air as quickly as I can. Im not getting any younger! You are ahead of me and I value your thoughts on getting the plane done.
In my project, I really enjoy the fiberglassing and finish of the plane. I am pretty good at it - not as good at keeping the rivet gun exactly right and even when the rivet is perfectly driven as designed, there are still indentations along the rivet line. I prefer the smooth look and I don't care about seeing the rivets or not - I just want it smooth when the sun shines on it. I guess that comes from boat building.
I tried epoxy last night and after looking at it today, that is NOT the way to go! I will try some glazing putty today if I get some time and I think that is the best option. Im not looking for perfection, but I know the "look" I am going for.
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rockwoodrv9a
Williamston MI
O-320 D2A
Awaiting DAR Inspection
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05-14-2012, 12:16 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Aubrey, TX
Posts: 358
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Filling
Rockwood,
I too am building a 9. There were several places on the 9 empennage that I think are not so aesthetically pleasing. One is the rudder trailing edge rivets another is the trailing edge of the elevators. I filled the rivet line on the rudder and the top of the elevator (building a tail dragger so I didn’t fill the underside) with Evercoat. As you said, I didn’t use much so I don’t think I added but maybe a few ounces. I hope a good cost of paint will hide most of the other rivets on the plane.
Disclaimer: My machine is not flying so I can comment on the endurance of the Evercoat.
Good luck,
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Dean Eiland
Aubrey, TX
Former Vice President EAA Chapter 1246
RV-9 (yes) N369RV
Mattituck IO-360, C/S Whirl Wind Prop, GRT, Digiflight II, Garmin SL30 & GTX 330 and Hotel Whisky Aux tanks, Bla Bla Bla
Flying
Last edited by Tumper : 05-14-2012 at 12:26 PM.
Reason: Spelling error
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05-14-2012, 12:30 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Battleground
Posts: 4,348
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I am not sure there are enough "filled" airplanes in the fleet to get an idea of what system may or may not be a lasting one. All I can add is my own observations.
I have seen only a few machines with filled rivet lines. None that I saw where executed well and most had some cracking.
I am not saying you should give up on the idea unless you can't find someone with enough hours, and years, on the airplane to make a good judgement. Not sure that airplane exists.
It is good that you are not taking this lightly and trying to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible. (before you ruin your airplane, oops, I mean, pursue your dream!) Sorry 
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Smart People do Stupid things all the time. I know, I've seen me do'em.
RV6 - Builder/Flying
Bucker Jungmann
Fiat G.46 -(restoration in progress, if I have enough life left in me)
RV1 - Proud Pilot.
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05-14-2012, 07:54 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockwoodrv9
judging of an aluminum plane
As for an aluminim airplane looking like an aluminum airplane - you make yours look like you want and how about you let me make mine how I want?...
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That is exactly why we build our airplanes to fit our likes.
What I was trying to point out with my judging comment is that some people are building planes to be judged. If I didn?t make that comment and later on someone read this thread thinking that filling the rivets would help them with the judges, when in fact, it would penalize them. And for I know, you might be trying to build an award winner, which you have very clearly pointed out is not the case.
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Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
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