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I've heard the metallic
particles cause antenna interference (potentially drastic reception range
reduction). Have you had any trouble? Any comments as to why or why not?
I
would love to use a metallic paint but not at the expense of nav/comm
performance.
A small amount of aluminum powder is part of the formula for
metallic paint, but the only electrical result is that your fiberglass plane
is a better target on someone's radar screen. Aviation communications, VOR,
transponder and GPS wavelengths are of such length that the aluminum powder
is almost non-reflective (Wavelength x Frequency = Speed of Light). I have an ICOM A-200 transceiver, with communications antenna
installed in the vertical stab and typically have clear transmission and
reception for 50+ miles at altitude. Whoever's stating that metallic paint
adversely affects reception and transmission is wrong. Also, what experience have people had with clearcoats? Someone recently
recommended against it because of discoloration with age but are there
other
opinions? And do we have to live with those nasty edges between paint
colors
(caused by tape lines) or is there a way to smooth them (say, by covering
everything with a coat of clear)? If clearcoats discolor with age, there would be a lot of
discolored cars out there. Furthermore, many cars are painted dark colors,
which make them a LOT hotter than your typical plane and they still don't
discolor. Automobile manufacturers spend mucho $$$ on paint equipment and
research. Most new cars are now painted with DuPont Chromabase and many
shops use it exclusively. If go with Chromabase, use the premium clearcoat
for a few dollars more. Also, pastels are OK on your composite airplane. Mine is colored a
medium blue and green. Sitting in the full sun on the hottest summer day
here in Virginia, I estimate the green surfaces reach 110 degrees F and the
blue reach 115 degrees F. That's far below the glass transition temperature
of 160 degrees for your wet lay-ups. [Marv has already addressed trim
lines].
Bill Rumburg
N403WR (Sonic bOOm)
LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
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