thanks very useful
William Daniell
LONGPORT
+57 310 295 0744
On Fri, Feb 3, 2017 at 2:12 PM, h&jeuropa <butcher43@att.net> wrote:
>
> Will,
> Your Europa build manual has a chapter (36) concerning finishing your
> airplane. It states:
> 1. The molded parts (fuselage, wings, cowls etc) are ready to paint
> only requiring a light sanding. We washed the parts with soap and warm
> water; then sanded with 280-320 grit sandpaper to remove any shine.
> (Europa says 360 grit but that wasn=99t available here).
> 2. The foam filled flying surfaces (flaps, ailerons, tailplanes and
> rudder) need filled before painting. We washed them first as well.
>
> The foam filled flying surfaces must be post cured for 8-10 hours at 40-5
0
> deg C. We used epoxy mixed with expancel (supplied with the kit) to fill
> the weave. You want a pretty dry mixture (as much expancel as you can g
et
> into the epoxy so it isn=99t shiny). Best results are if each batc
h is mixed
> in exactly the same proportions because if you have to refill a spot and
> one batch was wetter, it will be harder than the filler next to it which
> makes sanding evenly very difficult. We mixed a set amount of epoxy and
> then measured the expancel (by volume 1 part mixed epoxy to 10 parts
> expancel worked for us). We mixed some plain epoxy and wiped a little on
> the weave with an old sock so that the dry expancel mixture would adhere.
> Then let the expancel dry thoroughly. In damp, cool Michigan, that could
> take days! Then sand to properly contour, refilling & sanding as necessa
ry.
>
> We used expancel/epoxy to smooth and fill the joints where the fuselage
> halves meet and the closeout panels on the top wing surfaces. Probably
> spread the filler to an area 6-8 inches wide on either side of the seam t
o
> get a nice blended surface.
>
> There were a series of articles in Sport Aviation around 2005 that we use
d
> for guidance. The articles are available as a book from EAA,
> http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa-shop/media/aviation-books/
> 2256137300000__how-to-paint-your-own-airplane
>
> We followed the articles closely and used Poly Fiber=99s products a
nd
> instructions for applying the products. We washed the parts with 310
> Alkaline cleaner mixed 20:1 with water, rinsed thoroughly and used Prep
> Wipe. We then used UV Smooth Prime on the entire airframe, both molded
> parts and foam filled parts to provide UV protection for the fiberglass.
It
> also gave a hard finish without pinholes. This was followed by Epoxy
> Primer EP420 and finally Aerothane final finish. We then color sanded.
> Probably the epoxy primer was not necessary.
>
> We were advised not to use polyester automotive filler because it does no
t
> remain flexible enough to handle the movement of composites. At that time
> (2005) we were also advised not to use automotive paint for the same
> reason, but many seem to have success with it. As Ira states, we saw his
> airplane when we were at Custom flight Creations in December and it looks
> great!
>
> There are as many opinions about painting as their are Europas! This is
> how we did ours and we are happy with the results. Hopefully Bud Yerly
> will comment as he has much more experience, especially using the product
s
> available today.
>
> Jim & Heather
>
>
> Read this topic online here:
>
> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=465719#465719
>
>
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