>Europa-List message posted by: "Dave Anderson" <dja767@charter.net>
> > As a result of finish coat failure (a HUGE, long story), I am starting to
>experiment with removing my paint and repainting the airplane. I have UV
>smooth prime underneath for the UV protection and after today's trial
>sanding it is clear the paint will come off fine, but I will not be able to
>avoid doing the entire job over again. I can't leave the primer underneath
>and get thte finish coat off.
I'm no expert painter but I do have some experience, repainted my Long EZ
twice! (first time it blistered after 3 years) I have been as disappointed
as any with the performance of the water based paints. Even the car makers
can't get it to work properly all the time.
The best primer I ever found is SP Systems Hibuild epoxy. It is grey or
white and sands almost as easy as Smoothprime. SP make the Ampreg resin we
use in the UK and also are heavily involved in building big racing Cats and
Trimarans. They have plenty of practical experience.
For final top coat I use PPG Deltron base white. I avoid straight urethane,
too hard to repair. Paints designed for cars have good UV performance, as I
understand it, the top coat needs UV protection for itself. Quality car
paint will be OK.
A few observations;
Blistering is probably caused by contamination from human skin, so wear
surgical gloves when handling the airplane and wash with alkaline cleaner
before starting painting, might be worth washing with vinegar too to get
rid of any amine blush. Polyfiber sell one.
Another cause of blistering is condensation in the spray gun. Good water
trapping is essential. At least two traps in series my local expert says.
Pay the local expert to put the final coat on? Every time I come to paint
an airplane I've forgotten half of what I learned!
Graham
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