Gents,

 

I flew my 320 for a year in WLS primer. It was lightly sanded and cleaned with MEK and Acetone before the final paint (Dupont base coat,clear coat). The paint is still hanging on after 12 years.

 

Some notes:

 

I had large N numbers painted on the primer with Krylon - easily removed with acetone.  After cleaning and painting, the Krylon left what appeared to be a raised area - that disappeared after about 2 months.

 

Things shift over time.  I can see the pre-preg weave in fluorescent light - it cannot be seen in daylight.  I have had a few pin holes appear after 5 or 8 years.

 

It probably would have been wise to shoot on another coat of primer before the final paint job.

 

Scott Krueger

 

  I have been told that if oil got onto primer it was impossible to remove. It makes sense to me but am I wrong?

 

  Although it's a long way off, my plan is to prime and then shoot a plain white top coat just to protect the primer. I paint outdoors so between the bugs, pollen, and my limited ability it won't be pretty but should last through test flights and any tweaking. By that time the flaws that were mentioned will hopefully show up and it can go to a paint shop for the final paint job.

 

  BTW on my Velocity project I found that playing a heat gun lightly on the factory-primed glass would bring out the weave. As I decided not to complete the plane I don't know if there might've been a long-term effect on the glass or the primer. I doubt it was any worse than a ramp on a hot sunny day though. Might be something to try on some scrap...    -Bill Wade

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Dana Westphal

To: lml@lancaironline.net

Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2009 1:10 PM

Subject: [LML] Re: Fly in primer?

I also recommend flying in primer.  We flew my Legacy almost a year before paint.  After the first flights, we were up and down that wing hundreds of times fixing, fiddling and adjusting many things in the cockpit and behind the panel (many unusual body positions were observed I might add).  Performing the final fit on the glare shield in itself required many trips up and down the wings.  I think that we would have worn right through the wing walk and paint!

 

Fly safe,

 

Dana Westphal

Legacy N97DW

“Built over Geologic Time”