VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Model Specific > RV-12/RV-12iS
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #11  
Old 09-30-2013, 09:45 PM
SMRacer SMRacer is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 551
Default Paint!

I purchased a polished RV-4. Now I don't know the implications of pop vs. driven rivets, but I have learned something about polishing.

Polishing is forever, I mean you'll never finish. It looks great for a few days after you finish, and still looks pretty good from 50 feet thereafter. But if you want your aircraft to look good close up continually, buy plenty of polish.

If I had the money right now, I'd paint the whole thing.

Jim
N444JT
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-01-2013, 07:05 AM
Jetguy's Avatar
Jetguy Jetguy is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas, Fort Worth
Posts: 1,237
Default Burn baby Burn (Polish)

Jim has it right. Polishing is high maintenance. Paint cost more but is low Maintenance. You have to polish at least quarterly and if you fly in rain then get that polisher out and polish away. Oh don't forget those pesty bugs that hit you all the time.
__________________
John
RV12 N1212K
Flying Since June 2010
1020 Hours as of 9/30/2017
Johnrv12@icloud.com
RV14 Wing, arrived and building at Rdog's new Hanger at 16X
S/N 140014
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-01-2013, 07:39 AM
f1rocket's Avatar
f1rocket f1rocket is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Martinsville, IN
Posts: 2,326
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by WingedFrog View Post
You guys are giving me a pause here . Only nay sayers here, no supporters for polishing?
It's one of those never-ending debates. That's probably why the pro-polishers (myself included) refuse to engage. There's a whole section on the forums covering polishing. Go there to get the real scoop on what it takes. I can't imagine an entire airframe polished, but my paint scheme will include sections of polished skin. I like the look and have already polished some parts. It is a lot of work initially but the ongoing effort is much less. With the right tools and techniques, a once over with the finish grade polish is all that's needed.

Caveat: If you live in a corrosive environment (coastline, acid rain, etc) I'd probably opt to paint it.
__________________
Randy Pflanzer
Greenwood, IN

www.pflanzer-aviation.com
Paid through 2043!
Lund fishing Boat, 2017, GONE FISHING
RV-12 - Completed 2014, Sold
427 Shelby Cobra - Completed 2012, Sold
F1 EVO - partially completed, Sold
F1 Rocket - Completed 2005, Sold
RV-7A - Partially completed, Sold
RV-6 - Completed 2000, Sold
Long-EZ - Completed 1987, Sold

Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-01-2013, 04:39 PM
dinowal dinowal is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: TWIN WATERS, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 89
Default paint prep

Quote:
Originally Posted by f1rocket View Post
It's one of those never-ending debates. That's probably why the pro-polishers (myself included) refuse to engage. There's a whole section on the forums covering polishing. Go there to get the real scoop on what it takes. I can't imagine an entire airframe polished, but my paint scheme will include sections of polished skin. I like the look and have already polished some parts. It is a lot of work initially but the ongoing effort is much less. With the right tools and techniques, a once over with the finish grade polish is all that's needed.

Caveat: If you live in a corrosive environment (coastline, acid rain, etc) I'd probably opt to paint it.
Hi Folks, I'm thinking of having wings, stabilator, rudder painted soon, - I am wondering what is the best way to remove the little sharp burrs on the pop rivet heads. Thanks for any advice, cheers, DEAN...
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-01-2013, 08:14 PM
WingedFrog's Avatar
WingedFrog WingedFrog is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 863
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dinowal View Post
Hi Folks, I'm thinking of having wings, stabilator, rudder painted soon, - I am wondering what is the best way to remove the little sharp burrs on the pop rivet heads. Thanks for any advice, cheers, DEAN...
How dare you polluting MY polish thread with a question about painting?
__________________

Builder's name: Jean-Pierre Bernoux
Sport Pilot
Kit # 120395 N124BX
Flying as of 9/11/2013

Builder's Blog:http://vieilleburette.blogspot.com/
EAA 1114
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 10-01-2013, 10:40 PM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,820
Default

Just curious: If you polish the aluminum what do you do with all the fiber glass?
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 10-02-2013, 05:22 AM
WingedFrog's Avatar
WingedFrog WingedFrog is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 863
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RFSchaller View Post
Just curious: If you polish the aluminum what do you do with all the fiber glass?
My plane is painted except for the wings. I had planned to paint the wings too but since I have been flying, many people found the Al wings looked good with the fuselage and empennage painted. The flaperons are already painted and even the wing tips (including the fiber glass housing for the lights) will be painted. I feel that what's left to polish is not that a big deal as far as labor is concerned, especially if you remove the wings. I was the first one to be surprised by how good looking this plane was half painted!
__________________

Builder's name: Jean-Pierre Bernoux
Sport Pilot
Kit # 120395 N124BX
Flying as of 9/11/2013

Builder's Blog:http://vieilleburette.blogspot.com/
EAA 1114
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 10-02-2013, 06:36 AM
f1rocket's Avatar
f1rocket f1rocket is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Martinsville, IN
Posts: 2,326
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RFSchaller View Post
Just curious: If you polish the aluminum what do you do with all the fiber glass?
There are a couple of options. First is to design a scheme around the fiberglass parts ala Van's personal RV-12. Second option is to use mylar on the fiberglass parts to simulate polished aluminum. A third one I guess is to use the "aluminizing" process but that can get very pricey. Not sure about the durability. Think about the Audi commercial with the "chromed" R8.

I'm going with option 1.
__________________
Randy Pflanzer
Greenwood, IN

www.pflanzer-aviation.com
Paid through 2043!
Lund fishing Boat, 2017, GONE FISHING
RV-12 - Completed 2014, Sold
427 Shelby Cobra - Completed 2012, Sold
F1 EVO - partially completed, Sold
F1 Rocket - Completed 2005, Sold
RV-7A - Partially completed, Sold
RV-6 - Completed 2000, Sold
Long-EZ - Completed 1987, Sold

Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 10-02-2013, 08:39 PM
tfarrell839 tfarrell839 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Canby, OR
Posts: 53
Default Strange things can happen ...

I know of one RV-10 that melted the side window from the reflection off of it's polished wing. It was replaced and the wing was painted.
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:13 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.