Cheap Towbar rebuild experiment

[petehowell]

So after 20+ years and over 3000 times dragging da plane out da hangar, the towbar needed some TLC. The spring broke, the powder coat was mostly missing, and it looked sad.

The county just opened a paint recycling store, so as a cheap guy, that called to me. I found these gems and a new spring at the HW store - total outlay, $3.15.

I mixed a batch of paint 6:1 with the hardener. Wrong chemistry, will never work, blah, blah blah. It hardened up in 4 hrs and lacquer thinner won't touch it. It's a TOWBAR and it was FREE paint.

I stripped the towbar, cleaned it, sanded it, and wiped it down with glass cleaner. Shot it with leftover self etch, then hit it with the hammer(ed) from the LVLP gun and the 1.5 tip.

I might experiment with some pearl clear over the top. Maybe not, I need to fly........

 

[rockwoodrv9]

Here is a guy with too much time on their hands! Ha!! You need to make a trip over to Michigan.

 

[lr172]

I can’t believe that the hardner worked with acrylic paint. Never would have guessed that. Do be careful though. The isocyanates are in the hardener.

 

[petehowell]

I can’t believe that the hardner worked with acrylic paint. Never would have guessed that. Do be careful though. The isocyanates are in the hardener.

Yup - I used the good mask and the bunny suit while spraying. I was surprised it worked, too. Used the tow bar this evening. We'll see how the paint holds up.