WD 409 tail spring weldment...paint or powdercoat?

[RV74ME]

About to fit the WD 409 piece between the F711/F712 bulkheads and started thinking about best way to protect it. Paint or powdercoat? What about the inside of the tube?

Thanks

[David Paule]

For the equivalent part on my RV-3B, I chose cadmium plating:



I don't care much for the durability of powdercoat and would have painted the exterior, if this weren't available.

Only the exterior was plated. The interior will be greased, probably, so that I can get the tailspring out again if it's ever necessary.

Dave

[RV6_flyer]

Originally Posted by RV74ME

About to fit the WD 409 piece between the F711/F712 bulkheads and started thinking about best way to protect it. Paint or powdercoat? What about the inside of the tube?

Thanks

I like paint better. Powder coat has been known to hide cracks and to crack making one think there is a crack where there is not.

IIRC, the inside where it touches the spring is ground to a precision fit. Not something that one would want dry paint on making the "stinger" not fit. 20+ years ago, I did what ever the manual said and used grease or did wet assembly with chromate.

[RV74ME]

Good tips, guys. Thanks!