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Re: Europa-List: Light weight fill

Subject: Re: Europa-List: Light weight fill
From: n3eu@comcast.net
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 20:39:12

> My EAA Tech Advisor recommended picking a complete system (filler,
> primer, paint) from a single provider for the finish work on my Europa.
> He said he didn't care who or what, but in his considerable
> experience, the best results came from a system that was designed to
> work together from start to finish.
>
> I chose to go with the PolyFiber line of products: SuperFil, UV Smooth
> Prime and Aerothane.

He should be referring to no more than the gamble that mixing products may give
you long-term adhesion or gloss problems and is what paint mfr's always say.
Though one famous mfr says if you're gonna do their topcoat over someone else's
primer, a fingernail scratch test on a test panel tells you short-term adhesion
and chemical compatibility.

A further irony is found on Tony K's web site, where PolyFiber's Top Gloss just
about fell off their primer, onto the garage floor.

Many years ago I tried one of those more obscure polyurethanes, either Ranthane
or Aerothane, can't remember.  The flow-out was poor, and where it did flow out,
gloss was poor for a poly.  I sanded it all off and applied Imron with excellent
results.  It may have been their formulation back then, or if it was poor
gun technique, Imron was much more forgiving.  Applied over PolyFiber's two-part
epoxy chromate primer, BTW.  In fact, this type of undercoat is what Sherwin
Williams says is best for long term gloss, due to its lack of solvent 
sensitivity.

This would be true also of Smooth Prime, and Dupont includes a water-borne 
primer
on its list of acceptable undercoats for its acrylic urethane topcoat.

Regards,
Fred F.




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