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07-08-2013, 07:54 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 178
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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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Andreas Uebersax
RV-4 SN2416 in slow progress
Switzerland
VAF donation 2019/12/13
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07-08-2013, 09:04 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 526
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Bugs
Smashed bugs tend to cause corrosion. Other than that, it does add to the appearance.
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07-08-2013, 10:10 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Venice, Fl
Posts: 1,020
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Painting the baffles are for those who would rather build than fly.  
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Gary Palinkas - Gman.... VAF #161
Venice, Fl
RV-6 "Sassy" Flying 400 hrs since Oct 2011
Lycoming 0-360 A1A, FP Sensenich Prop
SARL #19 .... Van's Calendar March 2015
Although exempt several ways, =VAF= Dues paid to support this awesome site/family
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07-08-2013, 10:54 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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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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07-08-2013, 11:25 AM
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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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07-08-2013, 02:34 PM
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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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Dave
M20C
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07-09-2013, 12:43 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 178
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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.
__________________
Andreas Uebersax
RV-4 SN2416 in slow progress
Switzerland
VAF donation 2019/12/13
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07-09-2013, 02:20 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 3,821
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Mine are alodined........ looks great.
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VAF #897 Warren Moretti
2019 =VAF= Dues PAID
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07-09-2013, 03:49 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Cary, N.C.
Posts: 1,216
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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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Noel
RV-6A N6NF
tip-up
flying
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07-09-2013, 12:50 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
Posts: 1,798
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Paule
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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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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Next?, TBD
IAR-823, SOLD
RV-8, SOLD
RV-7, SOLD
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