Painting the Wings

I had a rotisserie left over from the RV7A project. It was originally designed to support the wing on both ends but it was modified to have two cantilever arms which extend about 6 feet through the rib lightning holes. There was an old variable speed gearmotor on the shelf so it was tacked on so now all I have to do is flip a switch to to put the wing in exactly the right position.  Also, I don't have to wait for one side to dry before I paint the other.  This is going to be a huge help in getting a good job on the wings.

Drive end.

Two brushed cross-coats of EkoFill UV protectant primer

After four sprayed coats of EkoFill primer on top of four brushed coats.

Ready for the white EkoPrime primer/sealer. I really like the EkoPrime product.  It can also be used on metal although I have not tried that yet.

Yellow Tail

Here is a daylight shot of the yellow stabilizer.

The stabilizer was painted in the horizontal position so it flowed out much better.

More Paint Progress

I painted the horizontal tail parts today.  The color is Federal Yellow. 

I applied white Ekoprime  undercoats to make the yellow color pop.

The fluorescent shop lighting makes the color look a little green. 

I will try to get a shot in natural light soon. Now its time to start on the wings which will also be yellow.

 Two cross coats of White EkoPrime sanded between coats.

Four cross coats of Federal yellow

Limerick

This photo reminds me of an old limerick:

There was a young man from Boston.

He drove a tiny baby Austin.

There was room for his ass and a gallon of gas.

His balls hung out and he lost them!

May just be the perspective of the photo but it shows how tiny the Skyote fuselage actually is.

Thankfully, Pete included enough room for all the vital body parts but just barely!

Paint Progress

Recent Fabric Painting Progress

Here are a few photos of painting from the past week. I am using Stewart Systems products.

All parts get two brushed cross-coats of Ekofill primer then three additional sprayed cross-coats all lightly sanded between each coat. 

Then three sprayed cross coats of Ekopoly Premium catalyzed urethane. For anyone considering using Stewart Systems products a word of advice. Study their excellent on-line videos carefully then do EXACTLY as they say. The application technique required is NOT like conventional paint. It is very easy to fall into old habits in the middle of painting!

If you do you WILL put on TOO MUCH paint. Ask me how I know. It is like trying to un-learn how to ride a bicycle. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks but it is really hard for the old dog. Actually, it is not difficult just different.

Also good lighting so you can see the work surface is VERY important. This proved to be very important when painting black. In retrospect, I would have removed the engine and landing gear and used a rotisserie for the fuse as I will be doing for the wings. Painting the bottom of the fuse was a real pain for an old guy 

Lastly, this paint system, like most, works best when the parts are in the horizontal position. I painted the vertical stab and rudder in the vertical position. They came out okay but I am sure they would have been a little better if painted in the horizontal. This paint flows nicely and a horizontal orientation helps that to happen.

All of the metal parts including cowling, boot cowl and struts have been painted black so it's time to break out the yellow for the wings and horizontal tail parts.

Paint Scheme

These were the first actual parts I painted using the Stewart Systems Ekopoly.

As I said, I fell into old habits and applied the paint too aggressively.

The gloss is good but more "texture" than I wanted.

I should have painted them in the horizontal position.

Ready for the trek from my hangar to my home shop.

Nice view of the fuse in primer ready to paint.

The shop light is in position on the floor to light up the belly which was painted first.

Still wet!

Next day, out of the paint booth.

Not great but passable at 10 feet!

Fuselage progress

I have been pushing to get the fuse ready for painting this coming week. Good weather is predicted for most of the week and I don't want to miss the opportunity.

 Applying trim tapes.

Working on the belly is no fun with bi-focals!

First brush coat of primer.

Three cross coats of primer, sanded between coats.

Ready to be taped out, then three more spray coats of primer before the top coats are applied.