ok get a good look, because this is the last time you'll see these wings naked.
spent the last few evenings....week, finishing up the little things. today I washed , degreased, scuffed, rinsed and repeat. Off to the paint booth on thursday.
Next time I'll have them covered with paint. you'll either love it or throw-up (your choice)
you and me both. I took one of the pictures you did for me over to the painter. As soon as he saw it, first words out of his mouth were "oh yeah, we're doing that!" He is usually a pretty laid back quiet type and mostly does insurance repairs on auto's. Also does about 1 or 2 restorations/yr. He's done 6 or so airplanes, but nothing wild.
He's just finishing up a Harmon Rocket(wrecked and rebuilt), that the owner butchered up the glass work and wanted to go cheap on the paint. (Red, White and Black) using Fleet single stage paint. Looks ok, but I could have done the same in my garage. Last week he came to my house and checked out the project. I showed him my prop(it's really polished up) and mentioned I wanted better depth and gloss than the Rocket had. So worked out a deal with him. I get to work with him in his shop using his good equipment.
I'm on the edge of my seat here... that's awesome! I can't wait to see it!
I have a paint shop right down the street from here. I could literally roll my wing cart over there from here. When the time comes I hope to strike a similar deal with him.
I'm holding back the sketches, because I don't even know how we are going to stripe it yet. I've got a rough idea how I want it, but the plan may change once we start running tape.
Hope to have the etching and priming done in time to have the stripes laid out by next tuesday. Then do the painting thursday and friday next week.
Bruce, it's never to early to start talking with your painter....My shop likes donuts. I can see the shop from my front window, but it's gravel road between here and there.
This shop is down the street around the corner a few blocks, but it's all smooth pavement and sidewalk. I especially like the tip about the donuts. That's sure to make a few friends.
That tip has gotten a lot of mileage. I first tested it at Navy Nuclear Power training(1980). It was a tradition to bring treats(donuts, pizza or something ) AFTER a student passed his Final oral exam. I brought Donuts to the Qual Board. One of the instructors said so you really think you'll pass by bribing us. My response was Nope, but I figure it'll be difficult to ask too many hard questions when your mouths are full of donuts.
Last time I used it was with the DE for my Private Pilot practical. I've never met anybody who doesn't like donuts when you're standing around talking.
Spike, That's what I hoping for. I've seen enough white planes to last me long time. I don't think the military scheme works on 7. wife said no checked tails. grandkids wanted rainbows. Picking a striping layout that is unique is almost impossible...But color you can go nuts. oh yeah couldn't be a budget buster either
Greg Niehues
Midland, TX
RV9A - finishing - 90% done, 90% to go http://websites.expercraft.com/airguy/
Building a 9A with too much fuel and too much engine - should drop dead any minute now.
So the paint progress is similar to the rest of my build...go, go, go, ....ok wait a bit while material gets here.
My color selection limited which paint we could use, so of course it wasn't in stock here. Finally got it Friday. the paint shop doesn't work weekends unless it's raining. So Today we spent the morning prepping wings and parts for primer. Let me tell you there is a lot of prep to do.
Just broke for lunch, but will be finally be priming the wings this afternoon.
Well when it came right down to it. I decided at $200+/gal, I may as well let the Pro shoot it. I really wanted to spray, but when I saw how they came out of the booth I was thrilled. It went on perfectly.
Wing 1 with 2 coats of primer
Here's my friend Corky shooting the second coat on Wing 2.
cjensen wrote:What kind of paint/paint system are you using Brian?
PPG Omni. It's a production grade base/clear product. Not high end, but very reasonable cost, easy to apply and very good gloss. Omni AU is a direct to metal etching primer. This eliminates the chromate etch then prime of other products. This will reduce my cost and labor involved. One of the benefits is the primer is a catalyzed paint as is the base and also the clear coat. All three are a system to form a very strong durable bond.
There is more expensive and better products out there, but this will give me a great shine, affordable and durable product which should last longer than me if taken care of.
