<<I originally wanted to paint my 360 the "Ferrari Red" color that N320L
used
to have.  I I even sent a letter to Lancair asking if they knew what the
skin
temperature would be if I painted it that color (or any other color).  I
received a well-thought out letter from Lance himself describing the
difficulties in predicting an average (or peak) skin temperature on the
aircraft, which concluded with the recommendation that "light colors are
best".>>

I just read an article in the latest Flying magazine about Diamond aircraft.
Their plane apparently has a temperature indicator on top of the wing and
you are not authorized to fly if it goes over 55C (131F).  Nowhere did it
say what the materials are that are used in the structure.  Anyone know?

Also, I vaguely recollect that when someone was once doing an automotive
temperature study they concluded that the surface finish makes a much bigger
difference than the color.  In other words a shiny black car isn't much
hotter than a shiny white one, but a flat white car will cook.  I have a
black car and my wife has a silver one and I can't tell the difference - a
very unscientific test.  Anyone done actual testing of paint colors?  This
has to be a very low priority question as I plan to paint mine white anyway.

Gary Casey
ES project