2000 hours
I made it to the 2000 hour point, 2040 to be exact, but the plane isn't finished. Some 200 odd hours over the past 3 months have involved stripping the fabric off of the fuselage and empennage and replacing it as well as priming and painting it a second time. Not something I wanted to do. I suppose that is what I get for listening to a friend's recommendation.
Applying the fabric and fabric tape is different with the Poly Fiber and Stewart's system. Both systems are relatively easy for that part of the covering process. Painting is easier with Ranthane than with Stewart’s water-borne paint. The viscosity of Ranthane paint is consistant whereas with the water-borne paint the viscosity is different with each can. You need to use a viscosity cup each time you mix the water-borne polyurethane for spraying. With Stewarts paint they recommend that each coat should be progressively thicker and that you may need up to 5 coats on fabric. With the Ranthane paint it is much easier to apply, only 3 coats. The pot life of the water-borne polyurethane is about one hour. The pot life of the Ranthane is 4 to 5 hours so you are not rushed. After using both I prefer the Poly Fiber system with Ranthane top coat over Stewart’s products.
Both top coat paints are catalyzed polyurethanes so a fresh air respirator is required when you spray them. Stewarts claims you can use a charcoal respirator like the ones used for organic solvents but I don't trust that statement in the least. Poly-isocyanides are components of the catalyst and a charcoal respirator doesn't stop them from entering your lungs. You can get a fresh air respirator for under $500 and that is a lot cheaper than a lung transplant. With the Tyvek coveralls and hood with air blowing inside you end up looking a little like the Michelin man. Sorry, no pictures. The blowing air also keeps you cool, Tyvek is an air barrier and does not breath.
The one thing that still annoys me is the fact that when you have wet paint on a finished surface, it seems that is when every bug within a 10 mile radius has to arrive and land on it. It is a little annoying to have to walk around with tweezers and remove bug carcasses from the wet paint and then sand down their remains before applying the next coat. This is somewhat tolerable with the primers but not so much so with wet top coat. Maybe I should hire Kermit the Frog to stand guard over the wet paint.
Here is the side of the fuselage, fabric only. Still have some trim colors to do.
When masking the elevators and rudder I tied lacing cord on each side of the strap hinges so the paint doesn't get inside of them and cause them to bind. No closeup available.
With the hinges on the trim tabs I threaded masons twine in where the hinge pin goes to block paint entry.
Now I can put the tail wheel and landing on and then attach the motor.
Applying the fabric and fabric tape is different with the Poly Fiber and Stewart's system. Both systems are relatively easy for that part of the covering process. Painting is easier with Ranthane than with Stewart’s water-borne paint. The viscosity of Ranthane paint is consistant whereas with the water-borne paint the viscosity is different with each can. You need to use a viscosity cup each time you mix the water-borne polyurethane for spraying. With Stewarts paint they recommend that each coat should be progressively thicker and that you may need up to 5 coats on fabric. With the Ranthane paint it is much easier to apply, only 3 coats. The pot life of the water-borne polyurethane is about one hour. The pot life of the Ranthane is 4 to 5 hours so you are not rushed. After using both I prefer the Poly Fiber system with Ranthane top coat over Stewart’s products.
Both top coat paints are catalyzed polyurethanes so a fresh air respirator is required when you spray them. Stewarts claims you can use a charcoal respirator like the ones used for organic solvents but I don't trust that statement in the least. Poly-isocyanides are components of the catalyst and a charcoal respirator doesn't stop them from entering your lungs. You can get a fresh air respirator for under $500 and that is a lot cheaper than a lung transplant. With the Tyvek coveralls and hood with air blowing inside you end up looking a little like the Michelin man. Sorry, no pictures. The blowing air also keeps you cool, Tyvek is an air barrier and does not breath.
The one thing that still annoys me is the fact that when you have wet paint on a finished surface, it seems that is when every bug within a 10 mile radius has to arrive and land on it. It is a little annoying to have to walk around with tweezers and remove bug carcasses from the wet paint and then sand down their remains before applying the next coat. This is somewhat tolerable with the primers but not so much so with wet top coat. Maybe I should hire Kermit the Frog to stand guard over the wet paint.
Here is the side of the fuselage, fabric only. Still have some trim colors to do.
When masking the elevators and rudder I tied lacing cord on each side of the strap hinges so the paint doesn't get inside of them and cause them to bind. No closeup available.
With the hinges on the trim tabs I threaded masons twine in where the hinge pin goes to block paint entry.
Now I can put the tail wheel and landing on and then attach the motor.
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