Panel paint color

maus92 · #1 12-23-2014, 10:00 AM

Anybody have thoughts on the proper paint color for the panel in a G3X Touch system in a RV-8A? Should I match the Garmin bezel color (black,) or go for some shade of gray? There will be very few, if any, legends The current color of the panel is black.

rv9av8tr · #2 12-23-2014, 10:47 AM

Keep in mind anything light colored inside the cockpit increases light reflections on the canopy, which are really annoying. Personally I think a dark panel keeps the panel from appearing "broken up" with all the black bezels of the hardware.
I painted mine the Rustoleum "Hammered" finish charcoal. Couldn't be happier.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1166542...61713439265202

cfiidon · #3 12-23-2014, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rv9av8tr

I painted mine the Rustoleum "Hammered" finish charcoal. Couldn't be happier.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1166542...61713439265202

I did the same. I first primed it gray, but didn't like the small imperfections I saw. The hammered finish took care of that.
Don

Rupester · #4 12-23-2014, 11:42 AM

Mine is powder coated in satin finish stone gray. I love it.

humptybump · #5 12-23-2014, 11:58 AM

I used a light grey for my RV-8 panel. It made labeling easier for me and it was my personal preference.

RVbySDI · #6 12-23-2014, 02:06 PM

I used Rustoleum Flat Black. Since everything on my panel is back lit I did not want anything reflecting or distracting me from the screens which had all the information. Labels with white lettering stand out against the flat black background. This picture shows the view in direct sunlight. The instruments are not on but when they are, even in direct sunlight there is no reflection on any of the screens and the clarity is fantastic.

This is a terrible picture I took with the phone but you can see what my panel looks like with everything lit up. Believe me, all of your focus is on the information when flying. Everything else in black is just background that disappears the instant the screens are lit up.

A better shot of the pilot side instruments in flight in direct sunlight.

Dan Langhout · #7 12-23-2014, 02:38 PM

I painted my panel in a flat color to go with the interior color. I have noticed absolutely no reflection problems so far (67 flight hours). Paint is JetFlex.

humptybump · #8 12-23-2014, 02:42 PM

In the RV-8, reflection is not much of an issue since - unless you are very short - you look downward to the panel.

Bill_H · #9 12-23-2014, 02:50 PM

Instead of paint, you should consider high quality 3M peel-and-stick carbon-fiber-look vinyl. Comes in different colors and patterns. Easy to apply and looks REALLY sharp. I have silver on my RV-12. That's a tip up canopy and I have seen no reflection issues.

A couple of pics of the silver here. Friend did an RV8 with black and it looked outstanding with the Garmins. http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...0&postcount=94

SHIPCHIEF · #10 12-23-2014, 03:27 PM

I use PPG DP-50 if I want a grey panel, DP-90 if I want black.
Pittsburg Paint DP epoxy primer finishes smooth and hard. It's very resistant to those screwdriver digs and other abuse, so it looks good for a long time.
I give the panel the full treatment, I acid wash it with aluma-clean, and alodine it before I spray on the DP primer. This is a surface you will look at for many hours to come. May as well get it the way you want it.