Sand & Fill

[Don]

Well, I am getting to the hard part.  What is the best light weight fill product and that is the easiest to sand?  Does it also have UV protection or is this a part of the paint process?

[Waiter]

I'm not sure if the technilogy has changed any since 1995, but this is the process I used, and will be using in a few weeks when I start cleaning up after a retract retrofit.

I use West System epoxi with the FAST hardner.  I mix standard Glass bubbles to make a nice white slurry.  If you use it like this, its a little hard to spread (curls up), and you'll also have pin holes.

 :lol: HEREs the Secret -  Get a 2 oz can of WEST Systems 410 micro filler.  After you've made your slurry filler as described above, mix 1/2 oz (volumn, not weight) of the 410 into the slurry, it will turn it a light tan color.  You may have to play with the mixture a little, If your slurry is curling when you squegee it, then use a little more of the 410. No more curling, no pin holes, and very easy to work and sand.  One or two of the 2 oz cans will probably do the whole airplane.


UV protection is part of the primer process. Your primer filler should offer UV protection.

Also getting ready to sand. Check out the web site www.iflyez.com

Waiter

[Charles Davis]

I hear a product called Superfill is great.  Check out Aircraft Spruce.

[Don]

Waiter, thanks for the input.  I have been monitoring your progress.  Hope you give details on your downdraft mod.

[Hank Clark]

Somebody tried using a V notched squeegie to apply filler.  The idea being to save a lot of sanding.  Once you have the shape, just fill in the remaining grooves.  The idea seems to work.

[rglos]

You may want to check out the systems at Superflight.

They have a filler/primer, two part that is non-hydroscopic. After I removed all the featherfill, I got in touch with the boys at Superflight and discussed what I was doing. They were very helpful.

The filler I bought was outstanding, easy to apply, sanded easy compared to Epoxy & Micro. It builds up well. You may not find it on the site but if you call, they will help. I later shot the rest of the plane with Imron directly over the superfill.

I you stop and think about, structurally, the weave in cloth is very much like the weave with fiberglass-both have to be filled.

http://www.superflite.com/Index.asp

[rglos]

You may want to check out the systems at Superflight.

They have a filler/primer, two part that is non-hydroscopic. After I removed all the featherfill, I got in touch with the boys at Superflight and discussed what I was doing. They were very helpful.

The filler I bought was outstanding, easy to apply, sanded easy compared to Epoxy & Micro. It builds up well. You may not find it on the site but if you call, they will help. I later shot the rest of the plane with Imron directly over the superfill.

I you stop and think about, structurally, the weave in cloth is very much like the weave with fiberglass-both have to be filled.

http://www.superflite.com/Index.asp

[rglos]

You may want to check out the systems at Superflight.

They have a filler/primer, two part that is non-hydroscopic. After I removed all the featherfill, I got in touch with the boys at Superflight and discussed what I was doing. They were very helpful.

The filler I bought was outstanding, easy to apply, sanded easy compared to Epoxy & Micro. It builds up well. You may not find it on the site but if you call, they will help. I later shot the rest of the plane with Imron directly over the superfill.

I you stop and think about, structurally, the weave in cloth is very much like the weave with fiberglass-both have to be filled.

http://www.superflite.com/Index.asp