Painting your RV

vindino · #1 10-31-2007, 11:14 PM

I am planning on building an RV-10 and am looking into what it takes to paint your own aircraft. I cant find much on the subject. can anyone recommend a website, thread or book that will help me with the required skills.

thanks

SportAvServ · #2 10-31-2007, 11:35 PM

I'm on my 3rd complete airplane paint job, and the best advice I recieved was from a fellow pilot that owns a body shop. So far I prefer Sherwin Williams Jet Glo top coats and primers. After all of the techniques that I have tried, the best for me is one light coat, 15 minutes later a wet coat. Having said that, there is a lot to the preperation of the metal or fiber glass, use the AC43-13 and read up. Stick to one brand of paint, the primers, topcoats and clears play together well, and I have found cheap automotive paint is just that. And NEVER get in a hurry.

Randy

Ironflight · #3 11-01-2007, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindino

I am planning on building an RV-10 and am looking into what it takes to paint your own aircraft. I cant find much on the subject. can anyone recommend a website, thread or book that will help me with the required skills.

thanks

You might already have looked through the "Painting" sub-forum, but if not, take a look....a wide range of threads, topics - and opinions!!

http://http://www.vansairforce.com/c...c&daysprune=-1

Mel · #4 11-01-2007, 07:02 AM

Got to go along with Randy about Jet-Glo. My -6 was painted with Jet-Glo almost 15 years ago and still looks great.
Back then Jet-Glo was made by Pratt & Lambert but to my knowledge, Sherwin Williams has not changed the formula.

carguy614 · #5 11-01-2007, 07:46 AM

Just one reccomendation... Paint the belly before you roll over the canoe. Saves a lot of time later..
FWIW...Chris

frankh · #6 11-01-2007, 10:52 AM

Painting upside down is so much fun...er..Not!

Frank

vindino · #7 11-01-2007, 12:24 PM

thanks for the advice guys. ill try to get to the paint area when i get back to my hooch. the computer police got it locked out here! anyone know any good books on the subject?

Mike S · #8 11-01-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindino

thanks for the advice guys. ill try to get to the paint area when i get back to my hooch. the computer police got it locked out here! anyone know any good books on the subject?

I cant access it from my home, no computer police involved.

Maybe a bad link??

I will see if I can post another link.

Got it.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...sprune=30&f=75

KTM520guy · #9 11-01-2007, 03:02 PM

Preparation and cleanliness are key to a good paint job. The prep is the hard part. Painting is easy.

Here are a couple of tips.

The fuselage makes the best wing holder.

and

The best way to paint the bottom surfaces is with a creeper and pressure fed paint gun.

I have sometimes thought of making and step by step tutorial on painting an RV with pictures and stuff but seems to be a whole lot of work. I still have my own RV to build and thats enough work already.

JordanGrant · #10 11-02-2007, 06:22 AM

I'd never painted anything before I did my RV-6. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it. My advice is to not skimp on the equipment. Buy good stuff and you won't regret it. I started painting mine with a (relatively) cheap gun and compressor, but after dissatisfying results, bought a semi-professional gun, a big 60 gal compressor, and even an air dryer/filter for the painting line. I also bought good paint (SW Jet-Glo). Now that its over, I'm glad I did it that way.

Also, I would disagree with some of the previous posts about how to paint the pieces. I painted everything prior to final assembly. It wasn't hard to make jigs for the wings, fuselage, etc. and have easy access to all sides of them.

Good luck.