At 11:39 AM 29/10/01 +1000, you wrote:
>At 12:08 PM 26/10/01 +0800, you wrote:
>>the post moulding gelcoat is of a different colour in many patches.
>>gelcoat when sanding off around the cracks had a very distinctive smell
>different than what I have been used to. Once I got into the moulded
>gelcoat the familiar smell came back.
>
>They probably used an additive like "Patch Booster" to make it flow better
>etc. this often makes it discolour after some time. Or the post gelcoat
>work was done from the next drum in line and the colours do vary from mix
>to mix.
>
>This glider is about 5 or 6 years old and does
>>not get regular polishing or waxing.
>
>Keeping an aircraft waxed or sealed goes a long way to helping to prolong
>the life of gelcoat. UV is not nessessarily the bigest problem because part
>of the gelcoat design is to be a UV barrier. Keeping dirt, grime and
>moisture out is a common problem. People are under the misconception that
>FRP is water proof this is a good farytale.
>It is water resistant. The molecular make up of the gelcoat is course
>enough to allow water to permiate through it. Sealing the gelcoat is the
>only way to stop this. A good wax preferably minimal silicone or a Polymer
>sealer. The DG factory advocate Polymer sealers for their gliders.
>
>Regards
>Mark Morgan
>Waikerie Glider Maintenance
>Po Box 320 Waikerie
>SA 5330
>ph. 08 8541 2644
>fax 08 8541 2761
It is my considered opinion that the damage to gelcoat is done by moisture
not by UV. The UV indirectly does the damage by removing the wax, allowing
moisture in.
So keep the glider well waxed!
Mike Borgelt
Borgelt Instruments - manufacturers of quality soaring instruments
ABN 75532924542
Box 7474 Toowoomba M.C.
Queensland 4352
Australia
Tel 0746 355 784
mob 0428 355 784
0429 355 784
fax 0746 358 796
International
phone: int'l+ 61 7 46 355 784
Cellphone:int'l +61 4 28 355 784
int'l +61 4 29 355 784
fax : int'l+ 61 7 46 358 796
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
website:www.ozemail.com.au/~mborgelt
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