| Waiex Painting & Polishing |
This section will follow the painting and polishing of YX-23. I have deceided to polish and paint. As you will notice
in some of the photos below there are tape lines and attachments that represent ideas on style and do not always
mean that the final result will look like the photo. You will see each step of the way and I will keep you informed of
every step in the progress, right up to completion. Areas that are not polished in the final Grade S polishing will be
painted.
in some of the photos below there are tape lines and attachments that represent ideas on style and do not always
mean that the final result will look like the photo. You will see each step of the way and I will keep you informed of
every step in the progress, right up to completion. Areas that are not polished in the final Grade S polishing will be
painted.
This page is under construction please have patience.
The first series of passes with Nuvite F9
Click on photo for larger view
All polishing done with Nuvite products
The photos above and left represent one pass of Nuvite F9 with a Mikita variable speed
polisher set at 600 rpm. I moved over the surface at the rate of about 3 seconds per
foot and applied a firm but not heavy pressure to the buffer. The buffer pad was
cleaned every 3-5 minutes of polishing. When there was black build up around rivets
etc. I cleaned the area with mineral spirits and dried it off with a clean cotton cloth prior
to continuing. The photo at left represents the surface condition after two F9 pass and
clean up. The time spent on these sections you see was about 5 hours of trial and error.
As I got used to the correct process to use my progress was much better.
polisher set at 600 rpm. I moved over the surface at the rate of about 3 seconds per
foot and applied a firm but not heavy pressure to the buffer. The buffer pad was
cleaned every 3-5 minutes of polishing. When there was black build up around rivets
etc. I cleaned the area with mineral spirits and dried it off with a clean cotton cloth prior
to continuing. The photo at left represents the surface condition after two F9 pass and
clean up. The time spent on these sections you see was about 5 hours of trial and error.
As I got used to the correct process to use my progress was much better.
FIBERGLASS PARTS
First series of passes with Nuvite F7
The photos above and at left are the results after two
passes with F9 and two Passes with F7. I have learned
that using to much polish increases the time required to
make a good compounding pass. The aircraft a pictured
at left has about 45 hours of polish time at this point
and still has Grade C and S to go prior to masking for
painting.
passes with F9 and two Passes with F7. I have learned
that using to much polish increases the time required to
make a good compounding pass. The aircraft a pictured
at left has about 45 hours of polish time at this point
and still has Grade C and S to go prior to masking for
painting.
First series of passes with Nuvite Grade C
PAINT AND POLISH COMPLETIONS
VINYL GRAPHICS
As you can see by the Photos at left, the polishing is
finally starting to provide results. Most of what you
see at left is the results of two passes with Nuvite
Grade C. I have learned that a slow speed of around
850 RPM and light pressure provides the best
results. I have also found that keeping the surface
clean (wiped with mineral spirits if residue remains
around rivets etc.) and using very small amounts
(finger print) about every 12-18 square inches
works good for me on this aircraft. I have only done
a few small test areas with Grade S however, these
areas show that it will be very easy and produce
outstanding results. I have done the Grade S areas
with a good quality car orbital polisher with the
inside of an old sweatshirt for the buffing pad and
SO FAR they have proven to do the job quite well.
finally starting to provide results. Most of what you
see at left is the results of two passes with Nuvite
Grade C. I have learned that a slow speed of around
850 RPM and light pressure provides the best
results. I have also found that keeping the surface
clean (wiped with mineral spirits if residue remains
around rivets etc.) and using very small amounts
(finger print) about every 12-18 square inches
works good for me on this aircraft. I have only done
a few small test areas with Grade S however, these
areas show that it will be very easy and produce
outstanding results. I have done the Grade S areas
with a good quality car orbital polisher with the
inside of an old sweatshirt for the buffing pad and
SO FAR they have proven to do the job quite well.
All painted surfaces were completed using Ranthane primers and finishes. The entire underside of the aircraft is painted in insignia white.
Painting was done by me with a Axis Citation 4 HVLP system, which included the fresh air system. The painting was done in a modified
carport. Metal surfaces were prepared with Pre-Kote. it is a non toxic paint preperation liqued and is used by the United States Air
Force. The Pre-Kote system was very easy to use and has worked great. This system is also Bio-degradable. I still need to polish the paint
out a little and apply the final wax. The whole process was very time consuming. However, it has been very rewarding to build and
complete the aircraft, engine, interior (completed by my wife), and paint myself. The vinyl graphics are on order however they say 6 to 8
weeks back order. Guess what, I am going to fly in the mean time.
Painting was done by me with a Axis Citation 4 HVLP system, which included the fresh air system. The painting was done in a modified
carport. Metal surfaces were prepared with Pre-Kote. it is a non toxic paint preperation liqued and is used by the United States Air
Force. The Pre-Kote system was very easy to use and has worked great. This system is also Bio-degradable. I still need to polish the paint
out a little and apply the final wax. The whole process was very time consuming. However, it has been very rewarding to build and
complete the aircraft, engine, interior (completed by my wife), and paint myself. The vinyl graphics are on order however they say 6 to 8
weeks back order. Guess what, I am going to fly in the mean time.