The Rebirth of Cessna 140 NC3771V

[8474]

WOW! is that ever shiny, great job. Whats your plan to keep it that way? Just wax? I'm going to be doing the same with mine. Due to some hangar rash I have to do some body filler on the leading edge of the wings and plan to paint or vinyl wrap the leading edge and then just do the cowl and 2 stripes down the side as the original was.

[6643]

If you wax it it won't be nearly that shiny. If you can, keep it dry and buff it once or twice a year.

[8474]

Ok, I thought that the wax would slow the oxidation process....

[6643]

It will, but anything you put on the metal will dull the shine.

[8233]

There is a new ceramic coating that guys have been putting on their polished airplane called John's 360. He has polished a panel, coated it and threw it out in a field to let the weather beat on it and it really prevented oxidation. It looks promising.

https://johns360coatings.com/product/10 ... t-coating/

https://johns360coatings.com/the-americ ... -coatings/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... e=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGiW8XoBnI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BRw2AYjrFI

[8474]

Sure does look promising, will have to consider that.

[6643]

I use a product called "Sharkhide metal protectant" for motorcycle parts.

[regular122]

I use a product called "Sharkhide metal protectant" for motorcycle parts.

John, would it reduce the shine or be something you would consider for the 140? Steve

[6643]

Pretty much anything you put on it is going to reduce it somewhat. the light has to pass through the substance then be reflected back through again. That said, Sharkhide is pretty pricey stuff. Doing a whole airplane might be a little steep.

[regular122]

24 July 2020 - Fuselage half done. Matt is doing great work on it. Doesn't even look like the same plane. As to the wings, all the Stewart's System supplies have arrived but I am still fighting the stripping of the control surfaces. They were primered in white and then painted white. Takes a layer to strip the paint and then another one to try to get the primer off which becomes gooey and unmanageable. Add to that the aluminum rib enforcement throughout the skins combined with lots of rivets. Paint just wants to stick to those folded and riveted areas. A heat gun helped. But I only have one aileron and the rudder done so far. One day at a time. Or one Friday at a time I suppose. Still, the plane is looking more like I want it to than more like it used to. That in itself is motivation. Steve

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