gmcjetpilot
Well Known Member
My other thread is about painting (exterior top coat) before putting wings on. As stated engine cowl, flight controls, wheel pants typically akk come off always to paint airplane.
I plan on painting with wing tanks installed. Also my wing, horz stab, vert stab, rudder fairings will be "semi-permanently" attached with blind fasteners. Should I paint before installing them? I think that might not work well but what say you?
Fiberglass part "body work" and prep, priming, was done and plan on attaching to structure (with blinds). Blinds have a hole in the middle. I will fill the blind ( hole for pull stem) with body filler. The rivet WILL BE visible but look more like a solid than a pull rivet. That worked out OK last RV. I hate it when RV builders use body fill (bondo) on all the joints and seams to hide it. I like my metal plane to look metal. I see this done and often it has a crack. Terrible looking and adds weight.
I know if the fuel tank / wing / stab / rudder fairings ever have to come off, the paint will be damaged and need touching up..... Fasteners will need to be drilled out, and any paint bridge in the gap between fairing and aircraft may chip and crack the paint. ANY TIPS or Suggestions.
Same with fuel tanks and their screws. I recall some tape the head of screw and /orback out a few tuns? That seems iffy as far as paint coverage if not careful when applying paint (runs, dry areas). I am of the mind just paint over screws. I know some people use a tool to CUT the paint around fastener heed to reduce paint damage if they have to remove the tanks..... You have tips and tricks or different approach, let me know?
I plan on painting with wing tanks installed. Also my wing, horz stab, vert stab, rudder fairings will be "semi-permanently" attached with blind fasteners. Should I paint before installing them? I think that might not work well but what say you?
Fiberglass part "body work" and prep, priming, was done and plan on attaching to structure (with blinds). Blinds have a hole in the middle. I will fill the blind ( hole for pull stem) with body filler. The rivet WILL BE visible but look more like a solid than a pull rivet. That worked out OK last RV. I hate it when RV builders use body fill (bondo) on all the joints and seams to hide it. I like my metal plane to look metal. I see this done and often it has a crack. Terrible looking and adds weight.
I know if the fuel tank / wing / stab / rudder fairings ever have to come off, the paint will be damaged and need touching up..... Fasteners will need to be drilled out, and any paint bridge in the gap between fairing and aircraft may chip and crack the paint. ANY TIPS or Suggestions.
Same with fuel tanks and their screws. I recall some tape the head of screw and /orback out a few tuns? That seems iffy as far as paint coverage if not careful when applying paint (runs, dry areas). I am of the mind just paint over screws. I know some people use a tool to CUT the paint around fastener heed to reduce paint damage if they have to remove the tanks..... You have tips and tricks or different approach, let me know?
Last edited: