AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION
An Article Series
by Ron Alexander
PAINTING... Solving the Mystery
Part 2
By Ron Alexander
Painting an airplane to achieve an award winning finish can present a challenge. In the January issue I discussed the fact that you can paint an airplane yourself with quality results. The spraying equipment, facility needed, and safety aspects were presented in that article. This issue deals with the preparation of surfaces and the basics of the painting process.
As previously mentioned, preparation demands 90% of the time involved in painting your own airplane. Proper treatment of the component parts is both time consuming and essential. The most common surfaces encountered in aircraft painting are aluminum, steel, wood, and fiberglass.
PREPARATION OF SURFACES
Aluminum
Aluminum surfaces are treated differently depending upon whether the metal is new or used. Paint must be able to "grip" or adhere to the surface onto which it is applied. Most aluminum surfaces have a layer of pure aluminum on the surface called alclad that protects the metal from corrosion. It is very smooth and not favorable to paint adhesion. Therefore the surface must be adequately prepared by cleaning and slightly roughening to guarantee primer adhesion. This is accomplished by using a conversion coating such as alodine. This chemical process creates a ceramic layer over the aluminum that coats the surface and provides tooth adhesion. Used aluminum must have any primers, paints, or corrosion removed. Paint strippers are used to remove old paint. After stripping old paint the corrosion should be completely eliminated. Use fine sandpaper, Scotch Brite pads, or aluminum wool. Never use steel wool or a steel brush. After the corrosion is removed the old aluminum should be acid etched. This is simply a process of washing the aluminum with a product such as Poly Fiber’s E-2310 Acid Etch diluted with water. An acid etch removes oil and light corrosion while etching or roughening the surface to provide a firm primer bond. The part is then thoroughly rinsed. Next wash the surface with E-2300 Conversion Coating that inhibits corrosion and further enhances primer adhesion. After this step the part is rinsed and allowed to completely dry. Once again, new aluminum surfaces need only be treated with a conversion coating.
After the aluminum (new or old) has been properly cleaned and treated, it is then primed. I would recommend using a two-part epoxy primer. An epoxy primer will insure corrosion protection and also provide a bonding surface for most topcoat paints. Very often, polyurethane topcoats will lift or wrinkle primers other than epoxies much as a paint stripper would do. A primer is necessary to provide a bond between the metal and the final topcoat paint. The primer coat should be applied according to the manufacturers directions. Usually, two light coats will be applied. Heavy coats should be avoided.
Steel
Steel surfaces are much more susceptible to corrosion problems in the form of rust. This rust must be completely removed prior to priming the part. Of course, any old paints or primers will usually be stripped. Certainly, if you are going to paint over the existing topcoat you must still deal with any rust that might be present. Removal of old paints can be accomplished with a bead blaster or sand blaster. However, this must be done without pitting or damaging the metal. Using the proper amount of pressure in blasting is essential. Once the structure has been stripped and the rust eliminated, the metal must be protected within 1-2 hours. Be sure to have the primer and spray equipment ready before you begin blasting or cleaning. Rust will begin to form on a bare steel surface within a very short period of time. Just as with aluminum, after cleaning the structure prime it using an epoxy primer. Be sure to clean the surface with a surface cleaner just prior to priming.
Wood
Wooden surfaces are usually covered with fabric. They still must be properly prepared to prevent rotting problems from moisture. Usually the part will be dry sanded and then varnished using a two-part epoxy varnish. Solvents used in fabric covering systems will "lift" most varnishes other than epoxies. If you plan to paint directly over the wood itself, an epoxy varnish must be used.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass parts should be sanded smooth and primed using an epoxy primer. Of course, if you are building a composite airplane the surfaces must be filled and primed in the manner discussed in a previous article on composite construction.
As a general review, all surfaces must be cleaned, any corrosion removed, and then primed prior to painting. Epoxy primers come in a variety of colors. The most popular colors are green, yellow, and white. White colors are much easier to cover with final topcoats. It is your choice. Zinc chromate has been used for years as a primer. However, its popularity is decreasing with the advent of epoxies. Zinc chromate should not be used if you plan to apply polyurethane paint.
The elapsed time between priming and applying the topcoat will vary depending upon the brand of paint used. Different manufacturers use varying times. Usually, an epoxy primer should completely cure and harden prior to applying the topcoat. That process takes several days depending upon the temperature and humidity. Often, a full week is needed. The primer then needs to be scuff sanded to obtain the needed adhesion for the topcoat.
Sanding
Proper sanding is a very important step in acquiring a high quality finish. If you want a high gloss you will spend time sanding. Sanding is usually accomplished using wet/dry sandpaper and water. The grit of sandpaper used is dependent upon the surface and its roughness. Usually 180 grit all the way to 600 grit or higher sandpaper is used. Sanding actually flattens the surface of the object you are painting. It also removes any imperfections that may be present such as small pieces of dirt. You should use a sanding block when possible. Pneumatic orbital sanders can be used in larger areas. When holding a piece of sandpaper in your hand, fold it in thirds to maximize the use of the sandpaper. You can more efficiently use the paper this way. A straight back and forth movement is preferred over a circular movement. Sanding 45 degrees one direction and then 45 degrees in the other direction works well.
TOPCOAT PAINTS
You have a choice of the type of topcoat paint along with a large number of brand names. Enamel is a paint that is commonly used on aircraft surfaces. These paints are sprayed over epoxy primer after being thinned to proper consistency using enamel thinners. A light, mist coat is first sprayed on and allowed to dry for a few minutes until it is tacky to the touch. This is then followed by a full coat of enamel. One full coat may be sufficient or another may be sprayed if desired. The use of enamel is not as popular as it was in the past.
A second type of topcoat paint is acrylic lacquer. This paint has a low solid content that makes it more difficult to apply. Acrylic lacquer should be thinned using the proper thinner and then a very light tack coat applied. An additional 4-5 cross coats of paint will then have to be applied allowing about 30 minutes drying time between coats. (By the way, a cross-coat is defined as moving the spray gun north and south followed by east and west—one cross coat).
Polyurethane paint is probably the most popular choice for a topcoat today. It is very durable and provides a high gloss finish. It is also chemically resistant. These paints have a high solid content and they cure very slowly which means they continue to flow out for a long period of time. This flowing out process forms a very flat surface that gives the surface a high gloss look. Polyurethane enamels are mixed with a catalyst prior to use. They are then reduced to proper viscosity for spraying. A very light tack coat is first applied followed by one or two full coats. One problem inherent in polyurethanes is the thickness of the film applied. If the paint is applied too thick it may tend to crack over a period of time. This is especially true when applied over fabric. The fabric on an airplane will flex and move during flight. This movement coupled with the thickness of polyurethane paint can present a problem. Polyurethane paints designed for fabric airplanes are manufactured and should be used when painting over polyester fabrics.
The one major problem encountered when using polyurethane paints is its toxicity. Breathing the spray mist from polyurethanes may cause severe sickness or even death. With this in mind, you must use a forced air breathing system such as the HobbyAir system. You should also protect your skin and eyes.
If you are painting a fabric airplane, you can use a specially designed polyurethane topcoat, butyrate dope, or Poly-Tone. Butyrate dope and Poly-Fiber’s Poly-Tone are both very easy to apply because they are more viscous. Therefore, they are less likely to run when applied.
No matter which paint you choose a few fundamentals apply. First of all, the paint needs to be properly mixed. That means shaking the paint on a paint shaker within one week of application. After shaking the paint it should then be thoroughly stirred just prior to use. Secondly, the surfaces should be wiped down with a paint cleaning solvent using a clean rag. Then a tack rag should be used to remove any dust. Thirdly, the paint should be properly thinned by following the manufacturers directions. A viscosity cup can be used for the thinning procedure. These are small cups with a hole in the bottom. The cup is filled with paint and then the viscosity is determined by the amount of time, in seconds, required for the paint to flow through the hole until it begins to drip. The next step is to strain the paint through a mesh paint strainer. This should be done prior to placing the paint into the spray cup. If you are using a polyurethane paint, you should strain the paint prior to mixing the catalyst.
Mixing the catalyst in polyurethane paints should be done in accordance with the directions from the manufacturer. Usually, you should let the catalyst react with the base paint for at least 20 minutes prior to spraying. Once you have mixed the paint you will have approximately 5 hours before the chemical crosslinking begins and the mixture begins to thicken. With that in mind, only mix the amount of paint you will need for the job. If you mixed too much paint you can place it in a freezer (not with food) overnight, remove it and allow it to reach room temperature before spraying. The cold temperature delays the crosslinking process.
When applying the final color coats, always be sure the paint you are using has the same batch number. Slight differences in color can often be found in different batches of paint. One solution is to open all of the cans of paint you will be using and mix them together in a large container. They can then be poured back into the original containers after being mixed.
Other chemicals in addition to reducers that you may encounter are retarders and accelerators. A paint retarder very simply is a solvent that slows the drying time of the paint. It is added in proportion to the directions on the paint can. Retarders are generally used in high temperature or high humidity conditions. Accelerators have the opposite affect. They speed up the drying time. Accelerators may be required to help the drying process in cool temperatures.
PAINTING PROCESS
The final preparation of the aircraft involves protecting every component part that will not receive paint. This means the windshield, if installed, needs to be protected. pitot tubes, static ports, tires, etc. must all be covered. Be sure to use a good quality butcher paper to cover these items. Do not use newspaper—the print will often come off onto your airplane’s surface. The painting equipment and the paint facility were discussed in detail last month. A list of general tools and equipment is:
- Drop cloths to protect the floor.
- Plastic sheet
- Coffee cans
- Tack cloths
- Paint filters
- Stirring sticks
- Masking tape
- Fine-line masking tape
- Butcher paper or masking paper
- Clean rags
- Wet/dry sandpaper
- Sanding blocks
- Scotch-brite pads
- Orbital sander (optional)
- Single edge razors
- Plastic squeegee
- Soup ladle for dipping paint
- Scissors
- Viscosity cup
- Hand held agitator to use with pneumatic drill
Now let's discuss the actual process of painting. The most important aspect of learning how to paint can be summarized in three words—PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Do not practice on your airplane. Get several pieces of cardboard and learn how to properly set up the spray gun. Then practice the spraying technique on the cardboard. Next, spray pieces of metal lying flat on a surface. Then spray the metal pieces hanging vertically. When you feel really confident, buy a piece of stovepipe or a large diameter pvc pipe and paint it. Stand it vertically and paint the entire piece. When you can do this without major mistakes you are ready to begin on your airplane. If possible, always begin the painting process with a small control surface.
FIGURE 1 |
 |
The actual adjustment of a spray gun depends upon the equipment you are using. The manufacturer should provide you with a set of instructions on setting up the gun. You should use the type of spray gun nozzle recommended for the type of paint you will be spraying. The gun should be properly adjusted each time you spray. A test pattern should always be sprayed on a piece of cardboard before beginning to paint. The normal pattern for a spray gun will be fan shaped. To begin the actual application procedure, hold the spray gun approximately 8 inches from the surface you will be painting. Spreading your fingers as illustrated in Figure 1 will usually approximate this distance. This distance may vary somewhat depending upon whether you are using a HVLP system or a pressure spray gun. The spray gun should be far enough away so the paint does not run or sag when applied and close enough to lay on a wet coat. To prevent the paint from being uneven, it is imperative that the gun be held exactly perpendicular to the surface. If it is tilted the paint will be heavier on one side and lighter on the other. See Figure 2. The spray gun should then be moved parallel to the surface only the distance you can comfortably move your entire arm while keeping the movement exactly parallel. See Figure 3. If the gun is moved in an arc the material will be applied heavier in some places and lighter in others. You should squeeze the trigger of the gun just prior to beginning the paint stroke and release it just before it is completed. You then should move up or down approximately ½ fan width and begin the next pass. You must overlap the passes to achieve an even build-up. Each pass of the gun will usually apply the paint more thick in the middle with a tapering off on each end. Remember our definition of a cross-coat, one pass north and south followed by a pass east and west.
FIGURE 2 |
 |
Proper lighting is absolutely essential when painting. For best results try to position your lights 45 degrees to the surface being painted. By looking into the glare of a light you will detect heavy and light areas of material. Of course, heavy areas will often result in sags or runs. Paint the edges of the structure first. Edges often do not receive an adequate amount of paint. Painting them first will solve this problem. If at all possible, paint on a flat surface. Of course, that is not always feasible. Paint will sag or run much more easily on a vertical surface. Spraying in corners and around corners presents a problem. Practice in areas such as this to establish the proper technique. As a general rule, spray the corner first whether it is inside or outside then you can blend the paint in with subsequent strokes.
As I mentioned last month, it is much easier to paint your airplane prior to assembling it. Practically speaking many builders will assemble their airplane, test fly it, and then paint it. If you do paint your airplane while it is in one piece there is a definite sequence you should follow. First of all, you will want to paint ends and leading edges of surfaces. Paint the bottom of the airplane first by beginning at the tail. Spray from the tail control surfaces all the way up the fuselage to the engine then spray the underneath side of the wings. It is much easier if you can persuade another painter to help you. That person can paint at the same time you are painting with one of you staying slightly ahead of the other. Often it is impossible for one person to reach entirely across a wing. The trick of the entire process is to keep the surface wet all the time.
After spraying the underneath side of the airplane you then should spray the vertical stabilizer, the top of the tail surfaces, the top of the fuselage, and then the top of the wings. It is more difficult to paint the airplane when it is assembled. Overspray is the problem. You must keep overspray off the surfaces you have finished. I would recommend visiting a local paint shop and watching their techniques. There are a number of ways to do this and each painter has a trick or technique. When you paint the airplane unassembled the problems are minimized.
As a rule of thumb, a white coat of paint should be applied prior to final colors. This will provide better coverage with less material and also bring out a more brilliant color in the final coats. White primer will serve this purpose. Do not try to cover red paint with a lighter color. Red should always be the last coat sprayed.
FIGURE 3 |
 |
Once you have completed the base color you will then be ready for the trim colors. A sufficient amount of drying time should be allowed once again according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Usually at least 12 hours is needed. Some poly urethane manufacturers direct users to wait at least one week until the paint is more fully cured. After one week the area to be painted should be lightly sanded to provide tooth adhesion. Use the best grade of masking tape available. I would recommend 3M’s fine line tape that is designed for trim use. Remember, do not use newspaper to cover areas—only good Kraft paper. Apply the tapes and then use a small plastic squeegee to press down the edges of the tapes just prior to spraying. Pull the tapes off when the paint dries to the touch, usually 1-2 hours. When pulling the tapes off pull toward the new paint. Do not leave the tape on for a long period of time.
You will encounter problems. Runs and sags are perhaps the most common. These usually form as the result of improper spraying techniques, such as the gun too close to the surface, or the material is too thin. When you create a run or sags simply stop and let the paint dry. If it is a polyurethane you should let it dry several days. Then go back and sand out the run or sag and respray the area. An orange peel look is also a common problem. That usually results from the air pressure being too high in a pressure gun, the paint too viscous, or improper solvent. Blistering of the paint is a result of the surface not being properly primed or moisture being present on the surface. A coarse finish is another problem that occurs because the surface was not thoroughly cleaned.
The final step is the one everyone dislikes—clean-up. If you are going to preserve your spray gun you must clean it thoroughly. This means taking the gun apart and cleaning it with a solvent, either reducer or MEK. Remember, protect your hands from any solvent. After a complete cleaning some painters will actually leave the nozzle of the gun in a solvent until the next job. You also want to properly dispose of any waste.
Why are you waiting? It is time to buy that paint outfit and begin. I believe with proper equipment, a modest facility, and a lot of practice you can apply a high quality finish on your airplane. Take your time. You will take more time than a professional painter because it is your airplane. You can do it.
By Ron Alexander, © 1998. The author can
be emailed directly at ralexander@sportair.com
This article was first published in EAA Sport Aviation
magazine (February 1998).
The article represents the viewpoints of the author, and not necessarily those of Zenith
Aircraft Company.