Painting Advice

[mikeydidit98]

I've had PPG aircraft paint training back in '01 but have never painted composite.  I'm in the process of doing the research to paint a friend's Long EZ and could use any advice you may have to offer -

- Any preferences on fillers for the areas that need it?

- How best to repair a dinged lower back corner of the rudder?

- Best paints to use - remember, I'm a PPG guy by training, but I am always open to learning if there is a current latest/greatest product - primer/paint combo.

- Sanding advice - mistakes to avoid that I, as a metal aircraft paint guy, might not have thought about (I am of course doing the due diligence reading and have a couple books on order from Aircraft Spruce)?

- Other helpful hints/advice?

Thank you.

Mike Westendorf
a69flyboy@yahoo.com

[D]

Hello Mike,

Wayne Hicks' notes are excellent and cover all of the bases:
http://www.maddyhome.com/canardpages/pages/waynehicks/chapter_25_process.htm

We used what has been dubbed "Cory Bird's 'resin wipe' technique" and PPG high build primer with great results.  Google "Cory Bird Symmetry" if you haven't seen his airplane.  Optically perfect.

Best of luck!

D