Body filler and cowls don't together very well.  Cowls flex and swell.  I would recommend micro with a little flox if you need to do any bodywork on a cowl.  Cover any filler with a thin layer off carbon cloth.  Be sure any mold release residue is completely gone.  Scuff the heck out of the surface.  Be sure all the dust is blown off the surface.  Use a very high quality epoxy primer surfacer.

 

Mike Easley

Colorado Springs

 

I have a 360 with a locally built carbon fiber cowling.  My problem is that I cannot seem to get a local painter who can make the paint stick.  The last try gave me about ten hours before  cracks appeared to start from around the oil filler door and spread outwards from there.  It became apparent the whole paint system, body filler and all was lifting off from the carbon fiber.

 

Is there any procedure that must be followed to ensure that the filler and paint will remain bonded to the carbon fiber?  I do not want to try painting it again before I can have a reasonable chance of having it last.

 

Any help or thoughts on the matter will be gratefully received or personal experience with this problem.

 

Tim, does Lancair recommend any procedure with carbon fiber aircraft..

 

Ian B.  Crowe
LNC 2 C-FKRO