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  #1  
Old 07-08-2013, 07:54 AM
Clouddancer Clouddancer is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 178
Default Painting engine baffles?

It seems to me that many people are painting there engine baffles. I wonder if there is a good reason to paint the baffles other than for the looks?
Please help.
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  #2  
Old 07-08-2013, 09:04 AM
brad walton brad walton is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 526
Default Bugs

Smashed bugs tend to cause corrosion. Other than that, it does add to the appearance.
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  #3  
Old 07-08-2013, 10:10 AM
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GLPalinkas GLPalinkas is offline
 
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Painting the baffles are for those who would rather build than fly.
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  #4  
Old 07-08-2013, 10:54 AM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
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Location: Boulder, CO
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My baffles are white and they've been powder-coated. The light color helps examining the engine. The powder-coating has proven robust, with around 500 hours on it now. But dirt seems to adhere well and is difficult to remove.

It didn't take long to do it - a trip to the powder-coater to drop them off, and another to pick them up, and they were on the way to the airport anyway.

Dave
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  #5  
Old 07-08-2013, 11:25 AM
Aryana Aryana is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Western US
Posts: 98
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My baffles for my Cessna were replaced with new units from Airforms Alaska. It was a premium, but I opted for the "hammertone grey powdercoating" option, and it was worth every penny.

After 10 years of abuse, they look exactly as they did when new. No staining, bugs/dirt just wipe right off. No more corrosion issues either.

http://www.airforms.biz/index.php?route=common/home


Last edited by Aryana : 07-08-2013 at 11:29 AM.
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  #6  
Old 07-08-2013, 02:34 PM
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dlloyd3 dlloyd3 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Locust, NC
Posts: 440
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By the time the fiberglass fairings, cowling and canopy were done I just wanted to finish up and go flying. My baffles were left unpainted (unfinished?) and I see that every time I look at the plane from the front. If you want them painted, do it now!
Seems like someone wrote it was easier to see cracks in unpainted metal. Don't know about that but my one cracked baffle could not have been hidden by paint.
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  #7  
Old 07-09-2013, 12:43 AM
Clouddancer Clouddancer is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 178
Default What kind of paint?

Thanks for the replies. If the baffles are going to be painted, what kind of paint should I use? Heat resistance of the paint may be an issue? Two of you mentioned powder coating.
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  #8  
Old 07-09-2013, 02:20 AM
gasman gasman is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
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Mine are alodined........ looks great.
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  #9  
Old 07-09-2013, 03:49 AM
noelf noelf is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Cary, N.C.
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I painted mine white with PPG's OMNI brand single stage polyurethane paint. I have had no issues with the paint, and a crack in an oil cooler brace support was very easy to detect. Engine temperatures have not discolored the white paint.

My personal experience is that it is easier to clean the bugs off of the painted baffle parts than the #1 cylinder ramp that is not painted. I will be painting that particular item when I paint the AC next month. The reason that this one particular baffle part was not painted is that it was the last item to be added /modified to address the balanced CHT's.
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  #10  
Old 07-09-2013, 12:50 PM
Sig600 Sig600 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Paule View Post
My baffles are white and they've been powder-coated. The light color helps examining the engine. The powder-coating has proven robust, with around 500 hours on it now. But dirt seems to adhere well and is difficult to remove.

It didn't take long to do it - a trip to the powder-coater to drop them off, and another to pick them up, and they were on the way to the airport anyway.

Dave
Brilliant. I just had all my canopy pieces powder coated to match the rest of the stuff inside. I think I'll do the same with the baffles.
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