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Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:45:44 -0500
From: Ernest Christley <echristley@nc.rr.com>
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To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Progress
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Todd Bartrim wrote:
>     So please post any comments as to your opinion of the product. I
> understand that may be some time before you run your engine, but let us know
> about the application process as well.
>   
Ah! My 'opinion'.  Just like butts, everybody has one, and most stink;  
but here's my impression.

Preparation is key.  I've seen several recommendations for an alcohol 
wipe down.  I'll be soaking my rotors in a bucket of MEK.  You have to 
use a sandblasting media that will gouge the surface.  Glass beads smash 
and smooth the surface, so they're not a good choice.  Silica or 
aluminum oxide are the best choices.

Next up is application thickness.  Spray just enough to get a solid 
color.  A thick coat will do just like paint...shrink and crack.

The TechLine Coatings have to be baked.  300F degrees for an hour for 
the non-professional products.  The babbit in the bearings is good to 
350.  The professional products cook at a higher temp (400?, and give 
off hazardous gases in the process), and so would not be compatible with 
the babbit.  I'm going to go out later and see if I can find a toaster 
oven large enough for the rotors.  Supposedly, you can use the 
non-professional products in a food oven, but I ain't goin' there, 
considering there will probably be residual oils baking off at the same 
time that would ruin the oven. I've never developed a taste for Quaker 
State biscuits.

I'm going to use the WSJ lubricant on the side and intermediate housings 
after I lap them, just because it is simple and convenient to do.  I 
make no representation of what the long term efficacy will be.  It is a 
complete experiment that will take years to show any results (and how 
would I test it without a control anyway), but it is only about $25.  
I'll also see if I can coat the oil, corner, side and apex seals, but I 
don't hold much hope for that to be effective at all.

I thought about coating the journal sections of the crank with the 
ceramic lubricant, but that's just silly I think.  The point of 
journaled bearings is that oil is pressed into the joint, and there 
isn't any metal-to-metal contact.  There'd be no gain for the work 
required.  Many of the service coat the oil pump, also.  Again, seeing 
how the pump is immersed in oil, I don't see much gain in the work 
involved.  Coating the main and rotor gears should be useful, as will 
coating the crank drive gear.
>     I couldn't help but notice the "no airplane" symbol beside each product
> referring to the shipping, but I'd bet if you told them your intentions for
> use, they'd say it applies there as well.
>   
That means it can't be shipped by air, because it is a hazardous 
chemical.  But you knew that and were just pulling my leg.  Right?