March 28, 1998
Basic construction is complete! The plane is rolled out into the
sunshine for the first time!!!
This is an exciting time in the project. It's starting to feel
like I'm nearly done. With any luck it will fly by June.
Finish
I using 1/2 oz glass cloth with epoxy resin thinned 20% or so with
denatured alcohol. The thinned resin goes on like water and soaks
in -- no sanding required. I apply a coat of 'slurried' primer over
this, primer mixed with microballoons. This mostly fills the weave
of the cloth. Over that I use automotive primer from a spray can.
This finish is time consuming, but you end up with a hard, durable
finish that will never wrinkle, sag or peel. I can leave the plane
in direct sunlight on the hottest day without worry. Dings and
minor damage can be repaired and repainted and the plane looks
like new -- without recovering the whole thing. It's worth
the extra time in my opinion.
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