Stripping and Painting

[jchronic]

Dave -

Once again, very sincere thanks for taking the time to provide this detailed followup info. I'm edging toward taking on the job myself. Although I realize there are distinct differences, as I noted I have a lot of experience with nasty preparation steps and materials and poly paints redoing boats. And since I mainly use the airplane for marine survey work from January through mid-June (a 'hobby job') and am otherwise retired, I have plenty of time.

Plus I have a great A&P/IA who let's me do most the work resulting from my annuals, and keeps me on the straight and narrow safety and regulatory-wise.
If I take the plunge, I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again-
Joe (aka Capt Ahab)

[SkyMac]

Hi Joe

Just thought I would put a few more notes down for you seeing your keen to have a go at this task like I am, hope they help.

Regards
Dave

[jchronic]

Sir, you are a gentleman, a scholar, and a credit to Aussie - U.S. relations!!

Joe

[jchronic]

Dave -

One more and I'll quit bugging you (for awhile): How did you protect the windshield/windows during the stripping process? Obviously don't want to get the stripper on them, but is masking tape/masking paper adequate, or is something more robust and solvent-resistant called for?

Thanks (again) -
Joe

[SkyMac]

Hi Joe

No probs just keep asking away. I used thick black plastic doubled over, it is used for under concrete slabs. Another item to use is aluminium coated paper or insulation foil used in houses under a metal roof or around the wall before they apply the outer skin of the house, this is quite thick foil paper.

Now what I would do is use a good quality aluminium tape (3M) and go around all the windows first paying very close attention to getting it up against the skin surrounding the window. Then apply the cover you decide to use and tape that over the window recovering the initial foil tape. I ended up covering the windows twice over as I didn't want to take the chance, and I spent a lot of time getting the edges right.

Up to you which one you use, which ever it is I would strongly recomend a double up.



Hope this helps

Dave

[hharney]

Joe

Here are a couple of photos of the window covering and such.......

[jchronic]

Much appreciate the pics, Herb. With those and Dave's words of advice, a lot of questions about how to go about the project have been answered. To some degree, painting is painting, even with poly paints. But stripping an airplane is clearly a lot more involved than stripping a boat.

By the way, I've gone back and read the thread about your makeover of your airplane a couple of times...it's full of invaluable information. Good show sharing that experience.

Joe