Fiberglass Primer Question

[UnPossible]

Hey - quick question about everyone's favorite topic - primers... I am finishing up the fiberglass work around my canopy. I am planning on flying the plane before painting it. I have applied and sanded several layers of microbaloons around the front of the windsheild and the targa strip. At this point I have very few pinholes.

Should I just fly it like this (hoping to fly in May-June and will likely paint in the fall or early spring)... or do I need to put some sort of primer on the glass to protect it?

If I do, what sort of primer should I use? Please note that I do not have the equipment to spray any paint/primers.

Thanks,
Jason

[Rupester]

I have - more or less - the same question as Jason. What kind of primer is best to use on the FG parts to allow me to fly it for a year before getting a finish paint job? It should also be a primer that won't have to be sanded off when finish paint time comes.

[DanH]

It is nearly impossible to go wrong by spraying a good two-part epoxy primer to seal the surface.

Anything you spray now will need to be scuff sanded later, at least, before paint. Chances are your paint shop will need to do additional surfacing work anyway.

Don't think any single-part rattle can primer will do much sealing.

[roee]

Originally Posted by DanH

It is nearly impossible to go wrong by spraying a good two-part epoxy primer to seal the surface.

Dan, do you mean the same class of epoxy primers you'd use for corrosion protection on aluminum, like AKZO 463-12-8? Or a different class of product?

[Ralph Inkster]

Another method is apply a good quality Urethane filler/primer. You can put it on with a small 4" foam roller, really work it into all pin holes. You will be suprised how many pin holes you had & didn't realize they were there. Knock it down with some 200 grit & apply another layer till you are satisfied with the surface. Your surface won't be spray finish perfect, but good enough to go flying with, this primer will be sanded down when you final paint the plane anyhow.

[UnPossible]

Originally Posted by DanH

It is nearly impossible to go wrong by spraying a good two-part epoxy primer to seal the surface.

Anything you spray now will need to be scuff sanded later, at least, before paint. Chances are your paint shop will need to do additional surfacing work anyway.

Don't think any single-part rattle can primer will do much sealing.

Any suggestions for the guy that does not have the equipment to mix and spray epoxy primer? Would something like Smooth Prime (which I believe you can use with a roller) work or is there something else that would work better?

[fehdxl]

Originally Posted by UnPossible

does not have the equipment to mix and spray epoxy primer?

Jason,

All you need is a cup to mix epoxy primer and any spray gun will do. I suppose the limiting factor might be an air compressor, but even that doesn't have to be anything huge. Pretty much anything other than a 'pancake' compressor will work fine for this purpose.

-Jim

[Rupester]

... how do you clean the spray gun and related gear when using two-part epoxy paints? Is a special solvent required? (I've not used two-part epoxy paints before; can you tell?)

[DanH]

Originally Posted by roee

Dan, do you mean the same class of epoxy primers you'd use for corrosion protection on aluminum, like AKZO 463-12-8? Or a different class of product?

I'd probably use something from the same manufacturer as my intended topcoats.....the one-system approach, always a safe bet. If you're not painting yourself, call the painter you plan to use and ask.

Originally Posted by Rupester

... how do you clean the spray gun and related gear when using two-part epoxy paints? Is a special solvent required?

Most use plain 'ole lacquer thinner. MEK is a little stronger.

[bret]

I clean my guns with Brake Clean in a can, or carb cleaner, works great.