More on Airplane paint?

[chuckb01]

First I want to thank everyone who replied to my last post. I learned a lot and saved a lot of time. A couple more questions on paint. I saw several aircraft that were painted with a water based paint and i think it was a "Stewart" based system? And then some put a 2 part urethane clear coat over that for gloss and protection. Any comments on that? I know I can add a plasticizer and a de-glosser if i want to the clear coat. Also does anyone know how to lay out a checkerboard pattern on a wing similar to this photo? Squares I can do. But I would like an idea on how this could be done.The pattern is kind of wavy. Could be a vinyl print but I don't want o use vinyl. Thanks Chuck B.



https://davidtrauberv6.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/216196.jpg

[Sam Buchanan]

Vinyl is your best option for a color scheme similar to the one in the photo, but if you insist on painting the checkerboard you might consider a vinyl mask. Paint the base color then a apply a "negative" vinyl mask and shoot the checkerboard color.

But I would use vinyl for the whole job....opens up some incredible graphics possibilities. :)

[Bill Berson]

That would take time but can be done with ordinary 3M masking tape.* Just paint the white and then lay out the stripes with masking tape. Mark the spacing and apply the vertical tape lines free hand and mask all the white as usual.

*my opinion as a former aircraft paint shop owner.

[Frank Giger]

This was done with exterior household latex, and he describes how he achieved a perfect checkerboard:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7A4o5DDvi8

[edit]

The process is the same as in a checkerboard, just with a bunch more planning involved.

[chuckb01]

That would take time but can be done with ordinary 3M masking tape.* Just paint the white and then lay out the stripes with masking tape. Mark the spacing and apply the vertical tape lines free hand and mask all the white as usual.

*my opinion as a former aircraft paint shop owner.

Thanks for the reply. i didn't get a notification there was a reply. :) Yeah, that was my idea also. Sounds hard to get both sides the same. And I have 4 wings. :) :) The paint was done with latex. I thought about that also. Do you know if fuel will affect latex? Mine will have wing tanks and any spilled would be on the fabric. Of course you areen't supposed to spill it.

[chuckb01]

This was done with exterior household latex, and he describes how he achieved a perfect checkerboard:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7A4o5DDvi8

[edit]

The process is the same as in a checkerboard, just with a bunch more planning involved.
Really cool looking plane. I like thjat a lot!

[chuckb01]

Here's a nice one done in latex. And polished. Could be a lot of work polishing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX611NL7eHk&t=32s

[Sam Buchanan]

Another acrylic (formerly known as latex) paint job:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/fokkerd7/N1918Q-2.jpg
I don't know about resistance to fuel spills but it is showing good resistance to oil from the crankcase vent. This is the third flying season and the paint still looks new.

[Bill Berson]

I suspect Acrylic (latex is incorrect) is fuel resistant for spills that evaporate. A continuos drip might be damaging.
Acrylic should be fine if the extreme gloss that lasts isn't needed.
The extreme gloss comes with high cost, both in dollars and health issues. I paint outside only with Polyurethane now because of sensitivity.
Acrylic may not stick to metal parts as well as oil based. The tradition was dope for fabric and oil base enamel for the metal on certificated aircraft.

[Sam Buchanan]

Yes, acrylic is the correct term, but if I mention acrylic house paint most folks don't know what that is. :)

I agree there are better choices than acrylic for metal. I used a general purpose enamel (tractor and implement) for the metal on the Fokker. The semi-gloss house paint I used was a good match for the vintage fabric look. I unintentionally found that thinning the enamel with mineral spirits for spraying toned down the normal high gloss to a more appropriate satin gloss.

[Bill Berson]

I would look for "100 percent Acrylic" on the label. If it says latex I wouldn't buy it.

[Frank Giger]

I used house paint on my whole airplane, so a few of my observations:

1) Using floteral is pretty much a must for some colors, or it won't flow nicely. I write some colors, as it seemed that the brown I used just wouldn't flow right without it.

2) I've pour a LOT of gasoline, both automotive and aviation, onto the paint. Never left a mark or faded the paint. One does need to go back after it with a damp sponge once it's cleared, as there will be a small film or sheen, just it does to everything.

3) On metal, it's all about the etch and the prep. The parts where I didn't display due diligence in carefully cleaning and lightly running a Scotch pad over (or let my fingerprints get all over it), there is some delamination. Being house paint, it doesn't flake off, but can make a little area where one can move the paint around a little.

4) What one gets out of it is what one puts into it. Sanding between coats until they are smooth, not doing it when it's a hundred and five with 100 percent humidity, etc., can give a really awesome paint job. I didn't much care all that much, so I've got a nice aerodynamically pleasing orange peel to my finish. Hey, dimples make golf balls fly farther, don't they? ;)