Painting…. <insert expletive here>

First try was the roll on paint which I documented. Epic fail. Second try, a local painter. That cost two months and I now have to remove the paint he did put on. Lovely guy, who wasn’t up to doing fiberglass planes.

I’m now going back over the whole airframe for a ‘final’ prep …again.

Pinhole are the enemy of paint. These tiny little guys hide on the surface waiting for paint. They trap air and then let it all go after the wet paint is on top leaving a small crater. I was schooled on pinholes with the second painting attempt so I WILL do better prep.

One cure is a glazing filler. Very thin, easy to sand. Of course finding the pin holes needs eye glasses, compressed air to blow out the dust and a strong light.

I did the canard first as its the most important shape to get right and to get smooth. Its a wrap, again.  I’m going to 220 grit on the surfaces. That’s more than enough. Too smooth and the primer won’t stick.

When I find pin holes I stick a bit of tape on and then come back with the mixed glaze, you only have a few minutes before it goes hard. It is a system of sorts.

Sure, it looks the same as when I started. Except less pin holes.

A careful revisit to the most balance and weight critical item on the plane. The elevators.

I’ve done most of the flying control surfaces now. After the fill they get a tickle with the long boards.

The failed attempt #2 with the professional painter is getting sanded off. That’s the rudders and wheel pants. Its a very big job for only a few parts. I’ll have to do the pin hole thing afterwards again as well.

Many hours still to do. The wings and canard are wrapped up in plastic. I just have the fuselage to do and those pants.

The painter I want to use has now visited the plane for a good look and he will be sending a quote. He has done a Long-EZ before and I’ve seen the job. No problem with the quality of work. He does business jets and RV’s and pretty well whatever you like. Hats off to these people who paint for a living, it’s hard work.

I’m back to using DuPont airplane paint in boring old white. There is a delay on getting paint due to Covid and my new guy, assuming I can live with the price, is not available until April. Even then we will probably hire a booth on the airport and paint on the weekends.

At least its one less trip on a truck.