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On 01/27/01 10:41:09 you wrote: > >----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- > >Hello fellow e-group coupers, > I was reading this following letter on list, and wanted to know what >your thoughts were. I basically think the fellow is probably making a >mistake trying to paint his plane with boat paint. What does everyone >else think? I would hate to see him do so and have some major problems >after. > >"Subject: Paint >Hi fellow RV Builders > I'm currently building >the flaps and ailerons for my rv-8. I am trying to decide if I should >paint the components as I go along before assembly or take the aircraft >apart and paint it later. Any advice about this? > Also, I have a friend >who does professional boat painting. I have seen his work on sailboats >and it is excellent. He has offered to do the painting and is suggesting >Awlgrip paint. Is there any reason I should be wary of someone who is a >pro but has never painted an aircraft.? Also, what about Awlgrip, is it >as good as any for aircraft or is there something better, Immron for >instance? Any help would be appreciated. > Redd > >__________________________________________________ >To unsubscribe from this list please send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >____________________________________________________________ >T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less. >Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose. >http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01 > > The type of paint that is being discussed (Awlgrip or Imron) was originally DESIGNED for aircraft. They needed a tough paint that could withstand rain, snow, dirt, and other particles striking it at hundreds of mph. When these paints first came out, Indy car builders started using them for their cars. They used to have to paint the noses of the cars after every race, due to being sandblasted by dust and dirt at 200 mph. When they started using these two-part paints, they could go the whole season without re-painting -as long as they didn't smack them up in accidents! Other users then jumped on the bandwagon, and started using them for boat hulls, emergency vehicles, and hundreds of other uses. There are two drawbacks that I am aware of when using them. The first is that the surface must be PERFECT. ANY scratches will show through. This paint is very thin, and will not fill imperfections. Being this thin can also be an advantage though. Many boat restorers (myself included) will roll this paint on, followed by someone "tipping" the paint out with a brush. They brush vertically, and then horizontally, in a small area with lighter and lighter pressure. This minimizes the running of this thin paint, and helps take out the roller marks and spread the paint evenly. The thinness of the paint allows the brush marks to fall out. It looks like it was sprayed! In fact, this brings up the other disadvantage. This paint is quite toxic, primarily to the liver. If you spray it, you need a proper positive pressure breathing apparatus. If you roll it, this is less of a factor because it doesn't put particles in the air -but you had better have great ventilation. I have been told that the only advantage to spraying is that you can cover an area faster. Their is NO impact on the quality of the shine or durability. By the way, be sure and use the recommended primer before painting. There are several books available at Boat U.S. and other marine stores about using these paints. Some of the marine shows on Speedvision (the cable network dedicated to cars, boats, motorcycles, and aviation) that have "how-to" segments have shown how to paint with these paints. I have seen 40+ ft. sailboats that have been painted with a roller that had mirror-like surfaces, thanks to good surface prep and following the instructions. I have also seen show-winning homebuilt aircraft at Oshkosh that were painted in just this way. If it works on a Learjet, I think it will hold up on an RV-8 -or a coupe! Michael J. Nutt Warren, MI __________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from this list please send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________________________ T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less. Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose. http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01
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