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Re: Europa-List: How much to sand for filler

Subject: Re: Europa-List: How much to sand for filler
From: timward <ward.t@xtra.co.nz>
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2020 08:53:57

Hi Chris,
My Air New Zealand painter who painted my aircraft Boeing White, said to go down
to 180 grit only. Finer will cause a lack of bonding for the paint.
Tim

Sent from my iPad
Tim Ward
12 Waiwetu Street, Fendalton, CHRISTCHURCH. NZ 8052 
ward.t@xtra.co.nz 
021 0640221

> On 4/10/2020, at 6:21 AM, n7188u <chmgarb@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Dear forum members,
> 
> I always had a question, never having a chance to see in person a properly 
> done
sample of how much you should sand a control surface layup before applying
filler to the control surfaces. 
> 
> If you lightly scuff the surface with 80 grit all you get is minute dullness
at the crest of the layup fiber bundles. I would say not even 10-20% scuffed.
If you go more then you are indeed cutting through the fibers. but my 
understanding
is that anything that is still glossy provides basically zero bonding strength.

> 
> So what is that magical point at which you stop sanding and it is sufficient
bonding for the filer.
> 
> BTW, one time I spoke with a gentleman that happened to run the R&D department
at Lancair during the certification of the Columbia 300. He told me they did
extensive testing on how much to sand before a structural bond. He indicated
that the highest structural strength with bonded components would be achieved
by doing very detailed cleaning and then just using scuff pads to lightly scuff
the surface. The resulting bonded structure was stronger than cleaning and 
sanding
with coarse sandpaper until all surfaces are dull. Now, he explained we
are not talking about the bond strength. He explained that what they tested is
for the overall strength of the bonded structure and his explanation is that
using coarse sandpaper damages the substrate layups and overall you end up with
a weaker structure. Then he added they still ended up scuffing until dull in
production because the FAA would not accept that just using scuff pads and 
ending
with a surface that still looks glossy would be !
> OK despite all the testing.
> 
> I found the story interesting.
> 
> Best regards,
> Chris
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Read this topic online here:
> 
> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=498640#498640
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 



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