We were having trouble finding usable original frames for the D-windows I wanted to install in the plane. I had the good fortune of meeting up with a professional sheet metal worker from a local MRO facility (Largest in the Great Lakes Area), who is also a CFI, AI, E-AB builder, and all around good guy. He produced these new frames from hand made press forms. You cannot beat a man at his trade! We'll install these soon.
Hand built Wood mold fixture and one of the D-Window frames.
Back to the Fuselage,,,, Finally got to some etch cleaning of the glare shield area, this is in preparation for painting the interior. There was some surface corrosion in the area inside the windshield actually, that has been conjectured was because of condensation that had existed there at times during the planes history. Used PPG DX533/503 on the area and it cleaned up great. Later we'll do the entire fuselage, but this is intended to get us ready to paint inside which will open up quite abit of reassembly that can be done. We're about 50% masked now for the interior paintwork to come.
End of evening, turn off the lights, relax and look at the progress,,,
What is your paint process? I am curious what prep, primer and finish coats you are using. Are you using the same process on the interior and exterior?
Robert
Kazoo120 » Sun May 12, 2013 12:24 pm
Robert so far for the interior, I first used Citristrip to remove the original paint. It took a number of applications and scrapings with a plastic scraper to get everything off, and then some laquer thinner as well. But the Citristrip is a great product with no fumes etc.
Then on the glare shield where there was some added surface corrosion, I used some DX533 acid etch cleaner and DX503 Alodine. Just on that limited area at this point. The mask job took about 12 man hours, but will reproduce the factory paint scheme for the interior (paint only what was painted at the factory)
I've sanded the interior metal with 600 paper, and then red Scotchbrite. that's as you see it now. I will wipe with a prep cleaner next, then prime with an epoxy primer (PPG DP40 or equiv.) and then paint with a PPG Polyurethane DCC single stage paint.
I haven't decided on the exterior paint process yet, I was planning to paint the ext. in silver, and that's a hard paint to do in a single stage product, so may use a basecoat/clearcoat system. I'm still researching what to do. I've been getting great advice from Jeff Tourt in the club here, he has quite extensive experience in paintwork, and I've admired his projects.
I've painted a number of racecars that only had to look good at 100ft/100mph,,,, however I want this resto to look great and hold up well, so I'm paying increased attention to the process!
Painted the interior this week. Came out very good, my grandmother could shoot PPG paint. On to the firewall this coming week. This is a turning point, we'll be re-assembling very soon.
Attended the HHH Fly-in in Parchment, Mi. today. Met up with the "Unofficial Local C120/140" group, among others. Was the most perfect day on the planet for flying here. Enjoyed it and is good motivation to keep things rolling!
We'll also be hosting the Kalamazoo, MI local EAA chapter for the June meeting. I consider this an honor and a priveledge to have the local group over, I admire their expertise/experience in what I am just beginning to explore. I'm looking forward to the group's visit.
Working to install the D-windows. Master Sheet Metal fabricator and friend Brian K. stopped out Thursday evening with a bag full of tools and announced that we'd be cutting the window openings out of the plane that evening. I asked him how he had the guts to just start free-hand cutting holes in the sides (which I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do), and it appears that if you cut holes in Multi-million $ Lear Jets every day for a living, you get pretty good at it! I'm very happy with the installations, and had wanted these added from first seeing them.
Continued to work to paint the firewall. More masking to close off he red we already had painted in the interior. Epoxy primed and painted silver, looks good.
And back to work on other items,,,, Master sheet metal tech Brian stopped out this week with the frames and plexi for the D-windows. He now has them in-place ready to seal and rivet-in! Young helper Greg spent 3 hours working on the lower windshield trim pieces. The previous installeer used an interesting mix of goop's 40+ years ago, when the windshild was last installed, took alot of work to clean up the pieces. And A&P Ray spent the evening going through the Cessna parts manual, getting hardware lists together for order.
Local EAA Chapter 221 to visit the shop this coming Wednesday,
And a co-worker pilot friend will fly my wife and I up to the Houghton/Blodgett Michigan 120/140 Association fly-in June 22nd, looking forward to that as it's time to pick interior panels etc,, will be a good time to get some input from club members!
Helper Greg cleaning windshield lower trim
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A&P Ray working on parts lists - very important activity.
Great evening with the local EAA chapter visiting the shop last Wednesday. I'd hate to guess the total years of experience that was in attendance. I had stuck the interior and doors back on for the visit, but have removed them now to continue the assembly. I'm currently installing the rudder pedal/brake assy but it's slow going to get the parking brake cables properly in place and working well, it's a rigging situation to get it right, but it's coming along.
Also rebuilt the primer and have it loosely in place. and running cables as possible.
Next item is to pick a firewall cover and get that glued in so that cables that run through can be installed. Will be visiting Taildragger Aviation this coming week to talk interior items!
Lower windshield pieces Cleco'd in place. They were cleaned, etched, alodined, epoxy primed, and painted red on the side seen from the cockpit. ready to rivet back in.
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Helper Greg hand painted the battery box with acid proof paint. Needs 3 coats. Stinks and dries very slowly....
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Staged for the EAA meeting
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Fabricated new brake hoses. Aeroquip 303, was easy to do. Proof tested to 3000 psi, ready to go.
