Keeping exterior corrosion free while building?

[Gandor]

I'm preparing my corrosion strategy right now, and attempting to do without any of the bad stuff.

I live in Houston so corrosion is a real threat, I've already seen the untreated practice kits in my garage begin to show signs of corrosion.

My current plan is to apply prekote and ekopoxy for all internal surfaces and parts, but that leaves the exterior vulnerable to corrosion while I build. From what I've read it's not recommended to apply the primer so early to the exterior as you want to top coat soon after.

It seems the best option is to etch and Alodine, but I'm really trying to avoid using any of the chromate based solutions in this build.

I was also thinking maybe there's something like corrosion x that can be applied to exterior on regular intervals while I build, but that also appears to cause problems if you plan to paint later.

 

[JonJay]

Vans coats their QB kits with some kind of waxy/sticky substance for overseas shipping. It protects the exterior and wipes off easily with mild solvents later.
I would check to see what they use. Perhaps someone here knows?

 

[Ironflight]

I built my RV-8 over twenty years ago in my garage on the water in Nassau bay down on Clear Lake. I think you’re worried too much about the exterior - pull the plastic off early so that you don’t trap any moisture underneath, and you won’t see a thing during a normal build. I did many Tech Counselor visits in the Houston area over the years I was there, many of them “long-term” builds (decades?), and none showed exterior corrosion issues being left bare.

Internal? There are literally hundreds of threads and thousands of posts on the topic..ick your process. But leave the Corrosion X on the shelf until after you paint, or you’ll never get it cleaned well enough for a good paint job.

Paul

 

[georgemohr]

We discovered some mild surface corrosion on some skins after sitting for a while (tail cone). It wasn't significant and the paint shop didn't bat an eye at it. I suspect some sweaty building sessions left behind on those skins kicked off the corrosion. I think just keeping any skins clean after working with them would be enough to prevent this.

 

[rocketman1988]

We discovered some mild surface corrosion on some skins after sitting for a while (tail cone). It wasn't significant and the paint shop didn't bat an eye at it. I suspect some sweaty building sessions left behind on those skins kicked off the corrosion. I think just keeping any skins clean after working with them would be enough to prevent this.

Yep, the issue is you will need to wipe down everything and don’t touch anything afterwards.

Working in the summertime, after a long build session, I was able to see the faint handprints even before I finished for the day…

 

[n82rb]

have you seen what the paint shop does to the surface before painting? it looks like the went at it with a grinding wheel. they will scuff it up real good before painting so don't worry about surface corrosion.. my plane was unpainted for over 20 years, a good part if it in florida. it is now polished. don't worry about it.

 

[wirejock]

See if there is a business that does Alodine. Have them dip the parts.

 

[rocketman1988]

have you seen what the paint shop does to the surface before painting? it looks like the went at it with a grinding wheel. they will scuff it up real good before painting so don't worry about surface corrosion.. my plane was unpainted for over 20 years, a good part if it in florida. it is now polished. don't worry about it.

Exactly.