ringlasergyrosandwich
Member
I am just starting my RV-14A and priming is one of my weakest areas of knowledge. I've done some searching but I'm having trouble finding answers to these basic questions. I want to avoid a major mistake early in the project because of ignorance about a simple priming issue, and hopefully some other builders with the same questions/ignorance will see this thread.
1) My Rv-14A empennage kit came with an "empennage packet" which says, "All parts should be stored in a dry location. Do not store parts in the paper wrapping. The paper absorbs water and can promote corrosion. Steel parts, if not powder coated, should be oiled or primed immediately." First, do I need to take every part out of its little paper baggie, or is it just referring to larger parts? Second, are there actually any steel parts in the kit that aren't powder coated? I can't find any but I'm not 100% sure. Could it be that there are no steel parts that need priming in ANY of the RV-14A kits?
2) The RV-14A builder's manual, Chapter 5, says "All non-alclad aluminum such as 6061-T6 must be primed." How do I identify these parts. Does this mean I need to prime every metal part that is neither powder coated nor has vinyl on it, and nothing else? How much time do I have before I must prime these parts... is it time-sensitive, or is stainless steel the only thing you must prime immediately?
3) How do I prime the parts that need to be primed? When I ordered the kit I figured I could learn more about the painting process down the line and didn't realize priming was going to be the first thing I have to worry about after inventory. Chapter 5 mentions several primer options and seems to like Sherwin Williams P60G2. I see this posted on the Sherwin Williams website for ~ $115/gallon. Assuming I go with Van's recommendation here, how much of the paint will I need to prime just the parts mentioned in question 2 above for the empennage? How do I apply it (Chapter 5 implies spray gun so if needed I can start learning more about what I'll need to do that)?
4) I realize priming the interior is optional, and most people paint the outside. If I want to prime the interior for additional protection, at what stage do I do this? If I want a more rugged exterior, do I prime and paint the exterior vice just painting it? When do you prime, and when do you paint, the exterior?
Some of these questions I won't need to worry about until much later in the project, but it would be nice for the peace of mind to know I haven't missed anything important. Thank you very much for helping a new builder learn some of the basics here. The RV Assembly class I took was great but only spent about 20 seconds discussing priming and I didn't know the right questions to ask back then.
1) My Rv-14A empennage kit came with an "empennage packet" which says, "All parts should be stored in a dry location. Do not store parts in the paper wrapping. The paper absorbs water and can promote corrosion. Steel parts, if not powder coated, should be oiled or primed immediately." First, do I need to take every part out of its little paper baggie, or is it just referring to larger parts? Second, are there actually any steel parts in the kit that aren't powder coated? I can't find any but I'm not 100% sure. Could it be that there are no steel parts that need priming in ANY of the RV-14A kits?
2) The RV-14A builder's manual, Chapter 5, says "All non-alclad aluminum such as 6061-T6 must be primed." How do I identify these parts. Does this mean I need to prime every metal part that is neither powder coated nor has vinyl on it, and nothing else? How much time do I have before I must prime these parts... is it time-sensitive, or is stainless steel the only thing you must prime immediately?
3) How do I prime the parts that need to be primed? When I ordered the kit I figured I could learn more about the painting process down the line and didn't realize priming was going to be the first thing I have to worry about after inventory. Chapter 5 mentions several primer options and seems to like Sherwin Williams P60G2. I see this posted on the Sherwin Williams website for ~ $115/gallon. Assuming I go with Van's recommendation here, how much of the paint will I need to prime just the parts mentioned in question 2 above for the empennage? How do I apply it (Chapter 5 implies spray gun so if needed I can start learning more about what I'll need to do that)?
4) I realize priming the interior is optional, and most people paint the outside. If I want to prime the interior for additional protection, at what stage do I do this? If I want a more rugged exterior, do I prime and paint the exterior vice just painting it? When do you prime, and when do you paint, the exterior?
Some of these questions I won't need to worry about until much later in the project, but it would be nice for the peace of mind to know I haven't missed anything important. Thank you very much for helping a new builder learn some of the basics here. The RV Assembly class I took was great but only spent about 20 seconds discussing priming and I didn't know the right questions to ask back then.