Thinking About Painting - Or NOT

[DonFromTX]

As I look at my beauriful shiny tailcone and other parts, I am beginning to rethink my choice to paint my 12. Why add the weight and cover up that beautiful shiny aluminum? Comments anyone?

 

[Mel]

If you don't mind the upkeep....

a shiny airplane looks great and is light weight.

On the other hand, polishing gets old pretty quick. I've owned one polished airplane, a Globe Swift. I will never own another.

 

[engineerofsorts]

I've been warned by several Texas builders that those nice shiney wings and such tend to make an excellent solar oven in the Texas summer sun--to the extent of softening the acrylic canopy--while simultaneously making the carbon-based lifeforms under the canopy fork tender.

 

[DonFromTX]

I don't understand that. The bare aluminum will reflect far more heat than any paint job would, the paint absorbs heat and melts things.

 

[Mel]

I think he's talking about the aluminum reflecting heat into the cockpit.