Hi guy's,
What's your opinion on frame and tubing preparation?
I have access to a soda blaster and an electrostatic gun,
What paint or coating do you guys think works the best?
How about powder coating?
I've sand blasted and epoxy primed. A lot of work. I found a powder coater here in TX with a 30' long oven that can do the fuslage. That is how I am going with the next project. I just discovered however than some of the powder is not compatible with the solvents used in the covering process so I am having him powder coat a test piece first. Started covering a J-3 one time that the guy used some high dollar automotive polyurethane paint on the frame. Got one piece of fabric wrapped around and started on the other side when I saw the fabric start lifting off. The glue lifted the paint right off the frame. He was not a happy camper to say the least.
Best coating I've found is what was used on the early Husky's. 2 part epoxy almost white in color. Don't know if they still use it or not. I rebuilt a husky with about 40 hrs on it. Got enough of that paint to do a couple more cubs. Gonna call them to see what they used before I ever paint another frame. I like that color cause you could see any flaws and I like the off white on the bars in the window & topdeck. Doesn't reflect like a person would think. Plus makes the interior a little more cheerier than black. Compare the interior of the husky to a cub. (not that I like anything about the interior of a husky except the color.)
I powder coat everything I can on a Cub rebuild. I only paint the outside fabric and sheet metal. Saves a ton of time, my liver, is hard as a rock, and won't chip off. Crash
Crash, How do you deal with future repairs after the frame is powder coated? I am told it is hard as heck to get off and weld around?? What does a repaired area, extra tab etc look like if added after having the hole shooting match coated in the oven?
I am not sure of the brand of powder the shop uses. The fabric glues have not effected it in anyway. They spray on a primer coat of zinc / gray powder then the color coat. Starting with a 5 lb box of powder and doing a PA-18 fuselage there is half of a box left over when complete. Welding after coating anything either with paint or powder coat, looks like crap. I lay in bed at night when I am working on a project and try to think 10 steps ahead so I don't run into this problem, haven't so far. Crash