Painting first, then flying
We are down to the last little details, like fitting the upper and lower leg fairings (these are a terrible mold) and sanding and filling the fiberglass pieces. We are also setting up our paint booth, using 1 1/2" schedule 40 PVC pipe and plastic sheeting. We will fit and paint everthing prior to first flight, including wheel pants and leg fairings. When we are done, we just want to fly and not have to look back at another xxx hours of down time for prep and paint.
Others are entitled to their own opinion and we are exercising ours by painting prior to the first flight. In fact, we plan on painting both planes prior to each maiden flight.
Pat Garboden
Ozark, MO
Todd Wiechman
Building in Wichita, KS
RV9-A 942WG (reserved) O-235 w/slider nearing paint stage
RV9-A 942PT (reserved) O-320 w/tip-up finish kit