primer

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by stamper

Just starting to work on the rv10 kit I got and my question is I was told vans does have some protection on the metal but is it good enough. I see a lot of people with green primer and even yellow. What is best, do you use a self etching primer, can you rattle can it or is that out of the question. Nothing has been done yet and the tail section is attached to the fuselage.
Any help would be great. Thanks

I'm not going to recommend a primer but I'll make some general comments.

Builders who make no attempt to prime their projects will often tell you about the old unprimed Pipers and Cessnas. What they NEVER tell you is that both Piper and Cessna now prime all their new aircraft with two pack epoxy based on their experience with major corrosion problems with the early models.

The annual cost of repairing corrosion on aircraft literally runs into the billions. It's a MASSIVE problem for the aviation industry. But many amateur builders adopt the philosophy that they wont be holding onto the aircraft for that long so the corrosion will become some-one elses problem if it arises over time. In other words they're building for their own limited flying life rather than the potentially unlimited flying life of the aircraft.

Even Vans, who are known to be careful with a dollar, apply a primer to all of their QB kits. It's not much of a primer, but it's something.

It is obvious that builders who apply a decent primer to their aircraft are intent on building to the best of their abilities. On the other hand, builders who use no primer may be motivated by many factors including impatience, penny pinching, laziness, or simply a complete lack of knowledge about the effects of corrosion on aluminium. But whatever the reason, you can be virtually guaranteed that, having used no primer, they will encourage you to do the same. It obviously makes them feel better if they're not alone.

[AMac]

Was watching a doco on the Ferrari factory (I think?) before paint they would dip the whole chassis in a protective solution, a big bath. I bought a SB kit, acid dipped then alodine then primer. Pain in the *** but content that the beast is protected.

Question, is it possible to dip the quick build fuse to get rid of the alclad then alodine & prime? Has anybody done this?

[rocketman1988]

"...On the other hand, builders who use no primer may be motivated by many factors including impatience, penny pinching, laziness, or simply a complete lack of knowledge about the effects of corrosion on aluminium. But whatever the reason, you can be virtually guaranteed that, having used no primer, they will encourage you to do the same. It obviously makes them feel better if they're not alone..."

Not necessarily disagreeing with you on primer but implying people that choose not to prime their airplanes are lazy, cheap, impatient, or lack knowledge is uncalled for. There are thousands of decisions in building your own a/c, and just because some don't agree with your opinion, they are wrong?...Really?

Yes, after reading as much as I could and deliberating a lot, I chose to prime with the same stuff Van's uses on the QB...I did call Van's to get their opinion, too. They asked if I was building an airplane to last 40 years or 80 years. I guess that about sums it up...

[Ron B.]

I primed everything other than the interior of the fuel tanks on our RV-10. Maybe I got lazy, impatient or forgot on thr RV-14, or maybe I plan on keeping it in my heated hangar and would like to keep the weight down on this one!!! Not jumping on anyone just stating a different opinion.

[David Z]

I've seen pictures of corrosion on an ATR-42 so bad that you could put your hand straight through a bulkhead in the wheel well. It's also a more corrosion condusive situation than most RVs will ever see.

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by Ron B.

I plan on keeping it in my heated hangar and would like to keep the weight down on this one!!! Not jumping on anyone just stating a different opinion.

You may keep it in your heated hangar or you may live in the middle of a desert. But when you sell that aircraft to some-one who lives on the coast in Florida or who flies to the Caribbean on holiday your short term objective will become their long term problem.

I think it just comes down to a basic philosophy. Are we building aircraft simply for our own short term goals or are we building aircraft that will reflect well on the Experimental category decades into the future. In other words are we building aircraft to stand the test of time through numerous owners and varying environmental conditions.

[rocketman1988]

That basic philosophy is just one opinion of many, and it carries exactly the same weight as the next guy's...

[ppilotmike]

I guess that's why they call it "primer wars..." I was just giving my opinion.

Suggesting that those who choose not to prime are damaging the reputation of homebuilts, is like suggesting that those flying around without a cool paint scheme, leather interiors and glass panels are doing the same thing. I totally respect those who choose to prime, and recognize that, if done correctly, it can certainly extend the life of an airframe for several generations.

Heck, if I had unlimited money, an unlimited labor force, and ONLY cared about corrosion protection, I might order my crew to fay-seal everything, install dehumidifiers & drains, build a giant humidor/hangar, and 2-part epoxy prime and paint all surfaces with the colors of my choice. Perhaps I'd even add graphics INSIDE the airframe so it'd look cool during annuals!

However, the many variables that affect this choice (and it IS a choice) led me to my particular decision, which is right for me.

[longranger]

I'm surprised no one pointed the OP to the Pimer forum in the Never Ending Debates section Just be sure to set the Display Options (found just below the thread list) to "From the beginning" so you get the full effect. Just the LIST of threads is three pages.

[BobTurner]

I thought I did point him that way in post #3, but I didn't use the exact title.

One thing not mentioned is the availability of ACF50 and Corrosion X, which weren't around 40 years ago. Used regularly, I think they can make a difference.

And, for the record, I did prime. But if doing it again I think I would not. Without a permanent booth it just takes too much time. And then I always managed a few scratches anyway. And polluted the environment too.

BTW, I don't think you should refer to anyone who builds his own RV as lazy.