Brian, I suspect that it may be because it is a specialist skill, and it is
only applicable on fibreglass structures. Most paint shops will be geared to
spraying cars or other metal structures and will not have the experience. To
me the advantages are:
1) It goes directly on the filled fibreglass structure, no U/Vcoat or
undercoats (some of which need to be dry sanded many times over)
2) You finish it by wet and dry sanding, which is a quick, clean (ie dust
and allergen free) and very satisfying process. You sand with 400 grit, then
1200grit then 2000 grit, having put a fine coat of diluted coloured
cellulose paint on the surface between each. You then wet sand until it is
all gone , which means you sand down to the low points each time and end up
with an incredibly smooth surface, ideally designed to maintain your laminar
flow, (and this may well be why efficiency conscious glider pilots all go
for it).
3) It is a very hard surface layer, not very prone to scratching, and glider
pilots who land wheel up on grass, (and most do sooner or later) rarely need
to do anything other than repolish the bottom.
4) After hard wax polishing it has a very satisfying deep gloss appearance,
rather like the very best Rolls Royce coachwork.
5) Modern gel coats last for 20years or more
6) It combines chemically with the resin of the fibreglass I believe, so it
is not going to flake off.
7) I have seen some professionally done 'normal' painted Europas with a
finish to match my gel coat, but most Europas don't look nearly so good
8) Filling in any damaged bits (and I had several related to the disastrous
company open mono trailer I had!) is easy to do to as new standard.
If you pursued it with Roger Targett, he is very happy to spray the
gel coat for you and then leave you to do the rubbing down to save cost
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Davies <bdavies@dircon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Finishing and Painting
>
> Many thanks David,
>
> I attended the Europa Forum and was very interested in the talk on gel
> coating. It sounds very interesting, but I just wonder why so few Europas
> are gel coated.
>
> Brian
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Joyce" <davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>
> To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: Finishing and Painting
>
>
> <davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>
> >
> > Brian, If you are interested in a gel coat finish, which is very hard
and
> > durable and ultra smooth, and the automatic choice of glider
manufacturers
> > then the country's expert (or at least one of them) is Roger Targett at
> > Nympsfield (between Stonehouse and Dursley in Gloucestershire.) Tel
01453
> > 860861 He repairs gliders and power planes and is a PFA inspector who
has
> > supervised 3 Europas and several other PFA aircraft. Perhaps that
> stretches
> > your definition of the South of England. Regards, David Joyce
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Brian Davies <bdavies@dircon.co.uk>
> > To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
> > Subject: Europa-List: Finishing and Painting
> >
> >
<bdavies@dircon.co.uk>
> > >
> > > Has anyone got a recommendation for a company that will do final
> finishing
> > and painting in the south of England?
> > >
> > > Brian Davies kit 454
> > > Wings ready for final filling/painting
> > > Fuselage ready for sticking top on
> > > Panel complete
> > >
> > >
> > >
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> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
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