[Tomas J]

It's soon time to fly my RV-4, and I have the intention of doing it before painting. I will do the weight and balance on the unpainted plane. Is there anyone that have an idea of what the painting will do to the weight and balance. Is it possible to calculate it, or do I have to weigh also after painting to get it right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKmTj45SYd8

 

[bkthomps]

impossible and you'll need to reweigh it, also consider having control surfaces balanced after you paint as well

 

[pierre smith]

Hi Tomas

Bear in mind that most of the surface area is behind the CG of all RV's. Multiple coats of paint will definitely move the CG aft, so be careful there.

My buddy's -4 had a three-color paint scheme added and it was 25 lbs. heavier.

It was painted silver overall, then the stripes:

Best,

 

[Tomas J]

That sounds heavy

25 lbs... that sounds heavy... perhaps best to stay unpainted.. ;-)
Is there anyone else that have weighted before and after painting and know the difference? Perhaps also what it did to the balance.

 

[Mel]

I've seen paint jobs weighing from the low teens to the high 30s. It depends on who paints the aircraft. Auto body shops seem to use more paint because they are not normally concerned with weight.
And as said before, the CG will move aft regardless.