Final assembly starts today

Mike Balzer · Post by **Mike Balzer** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:26 am

Beautiful PAINT!!!!!
Was that color sanded and buffed? I wish I could paint that good. I will probably pay a professional to paint my plane.

Keep the pics coming,

Mike Balzer

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:53 am

No color sanding, cutting or buffing for me. I scuffed everything before the epoxy primer coat. Then we used a powder dust coat to highlight problem areas when we sanded everything with 600 wet. Once we liked it, we would get the booth temp up to 80*F, then 3 coats of color was shot. Wait ~30minutes then I could get on it with tape for the stripes. Mask the different layers and shoot the other colors. Wait ~20minutes and pull all the striping tape and paper. Shoot the clear coat and let it set overnight. So simple a caveman could do it....BTW the fuselage was prepped the night before and sitting in the booth, it then took 3 of us, 13 hrs the next day to paint, stripe and clear...see easy.

Big items to a good paint, no matter who's pulling the trigger.
1. CLEAN, Clean, clean
2. fix the problems areas early.(a little orange peel in the primer doesn't go away by itself)
3. Follow the manufacturers instructions exactly(time, temp, etc)
4. Find someone who knows his schtuff about handling a paint gun.

I was planning on painting in my shop, as I had previous car painting experience(25yrs ago). I knew I could do a good job, but would take some elbow grease to cut&buff for the finish I wanted. Also I would need to build a temporary booth, probably go Single stage paint, etc. My 2nd choice, I was going to rent booth space from a friend, and use the same single stage paint. After visiting with him for a while and seeing his business was slow(dang economy), he saw my conceptual drawing(that Chad did) and really wanted to be part of the finished product. So he quoted me a estimate I couldn't pass up. I worked daily with him in his shop, I learned a lot and I got a MUCH better job than myself, my tools or garage were capable of. Corky is a Master painter. He said sure we could have shot another coat of clear and buffed it off, but why? Lay it down right and be done.

Got the Emp fairing installed today

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:49 am

Absolutely beautiful...WOW...

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:57 pm

Mid week update. I got the tail group done and also closed out everything in the tail cone. Today I started on finishing up the firewall forward. I still have to make a few brackets, mount the oil cooler and 1000 other items. but fitting the plenum was cool. Remember I really had to hack it up a bunch, the other side still has some funny bumps and bulges. Then I was going to rattle can it.... Well Corky said bring it over, I have some extra purple.

Then a friend dropped by and helped me install the canopy. It looked so cool I figured I should toss on the cowl. Neither have been on since paint. I like it more everyday.

Guess what happens tomorrow?

Wings! if my paying job doesn't get in the way.

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 12:45 pm

Beautifull Brian.

I hope the paying job doesn't hold you up to much but I realize you need it to interfere to some degree. You do very good work!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:08 pm

<Sniff>...I smell Lindy...

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 5:36 pm

You guys are too kind. I am pretty certain I won't be winning any "lindy". Too many flaws to even be entered in the judging. My only goal has been to build a safe simple VFR fun machine for the wife and I. I added a few twists and turns(stolen from others) along the way that have come out nice. But overall my level of craftsmanship is average.

BUT it does look good! had some friends come over and we put the wings on. Spent the next 10 minutes cleaning up drool.

stuck the tips on to see how it looked. I used the Hidden hinge method to attach them(thanks Chad and Mike)

dpansier · Post by **dpansier** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 6:19 pm

Brian,
Congratulations on a great looking bird, the paint job is very sharp and will turn a lot of heads.

Doakes · Post by **Doakes** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 6:25 pm

a very nice looking plane. You have done very well. It is good!!!!!
DAve

Post by **Spike** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:33 pm

Schnazzzy! I like it.

Spike

Joe Parish · Post by **Joe Parish** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:16 pm

very very nice Brian! It looks awesome

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:00 am

Brian,
These are the shots I've been waiting to see. I'm drooling all over my keyboard here. Absolutely INCREDIBLE. I hope mine comes out half this nice.

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:24 am

Everytime I put another piece of the puzzle together, I get goosebumps. I post the pics to help spread the joy and give others a boost. I know at times while building motivation was hard to find. Work, family and money seemed to cloud the vision. BUT I recall seeing progress from Chad, Brian, Mike and others as they were cruising to the finish line. I got a serious boost from them. Rivetbangers has been a Great tool in my build....thanks Spike.

OK Bruce, I'm calling you out! Get'r done, we've got dinner reservations at the Otter.

I've got along way to go. but getting there.

Brantel · Post by **Brantel** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:36 am

Way awesome Brian....way awesome!!!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 8:15 am

hydroguy2 wrote:I've got along way to go. but getting there.

Again...no you don't!

I remember thinking that too, and it came up SO quickly!! You're gonna have a blast!!

The flight I had last night was SOOOOOOOO awesome...at the pace your are moving now, you'll be saying the same thing before you know it!!

dons · Post by **dons** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:26 am

That looks just incredible Brian, fit and finish is part of craftmanship and you have done a way better than average job on that.

Yes, posting these pictures is very much appreciated!

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:16 pm

Really beautifull Brian. I won't let you park next to my airplane!

I think you are very close to getting that ready for a visit by a DAR! Better get the time flown off so you can give your wife and family rides!

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:28 pm

cjensen wrote: Again...no you don't! I remember thinking that too, and it came up SO quickly!!

Ok Chad, I finally believe you.

Got some good progress this week. Waiting on some new fuel lines, hope to start the engine this weekend. AND called the FSDO today for a soon to be determined appointment.

Still have many things to do but the list is shrinking

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:41 am

Nice man!! NICE!! I like the Nnumbers...

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Thu Sep 30, 2010 6:22 pm

That is really Great Brian

I hope the first engine start goes well and that you can get an appointment for the inspection in time for you to fly it yet this Fall!

You have done a a neat job! We can meet in Bismarck or thereabouts for lunch sometime sonn!