Protecting Bare Steel

[DB1033]

I just recieved my pitot mast from SafeAir today. I need some advice on protecting bare Steel.

What product/s should I clean the steel with? What should I coat it with after cleaning to not only protect it from the elements but also provide a barrier between the aluminum and the steel.

I'll eventually be painting the mast to match the color of the aircraft exterior...so I don't want to do a finish coat yet.

Thanks

[Captain_John]

Just like aluminum, it needs to be prepped and primed accordingly. I sandblasted mine and coated it with DuPont VariPrime.

Essentially, it needs to be cleaned, profiled, cleaned again. If you don't have a sandblaster, scuff it with 180 grit sandpaper. Once that is done, most any primer suitable for steel is fine.

CJ

[svanarts]

All of my exposed steel got primed with Krylon rusty metal primer. Really sticks.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Captain_John

Just like aluminum, it needs to be prepped and primed accordingly. I sandblasted mine and coated it with DuPont VariPrime.

Essentially, it needs to be cleaned, profiled, cleaned again. If you don't have a sandblaster, scuff it with 180 grit sandpaper. Once that is done, most any primer suitable for steel is fine.

CJ

"Scuffing" may not be enough. The steel should be sanded with the 180 paper untill it is completely shiny. What you don't want is a scuffed surface and any small (almost microscopic) corrosion pits to remain.

This is why an echant (like using Alum Prep on aluminum) is a good idea on steel, the chemical will penetrate all of the pits and neutralize any corrosion.

I would use Metal Prep #79 - available from Aircraft Spruce, and probably your local auto paint store.

Data sheet here...

http://www.aerospace.henkel.com/Imag...talprep_79.pdf

gil in Tucson