A question on clear coats

Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 5 of 5 known posts recovered

Randy · May 04, 2001 12:27 AM

Hi Folks,

I'm in the process of shooting clear on the current plane. I'm basically using a 50/50 mix of clear and thinner with a bit of retarder since it's been pretty humid here (read that raining). On average, how many clear coats do your shoot on a plane? I put on 4 medium coats and have been wet sanding it with some 1200 grit to smooth it out a bit before putting more clear on.

Randy

Steve Helmick · May 09, 2001 09:55 PM

#1 source

I think Windy says 2 quarts for a 20 pt. finish, or 1 quart for a "sport" finish. I wish somebody else had answered! See you at Roseburg! Steve

LNeumann · May 09, 2001 10:01 PM

#2 source

Windy's response on this is pretty accurate--2 quarts if you want a really good finish, 1 quart for an "average". The difference being you will sand a lot of it away to get that "perfect" finish.

What you need to remember is that you need to spray more on the edges of everything and along the rib lines. Spray these areas really well first, then go over everything. You put more on where you are going to sand more off. It doesn't do you any good to sand all the way through. But, then again, if you haven't sanded through in a couple of areas, you probably haven't sanded enough. Catch 22.

Leonard Neumann

Randy · May 10, 2001 12:12 AM

#3 source

Well, I ended up somewhere in the middle, I guess. Shot on about a quart and a half, unthinned, or about 3 quarts after thinning to spraying consistency.

Overall, it's not too bad. I just finished putting it all together tonight... and weighed it. Hmm, not too bad considering. It weighs about 68oz but is 740 square inches. Looks pretty cool. Hope to put the maiden flight on it this weekend if the weather cooperates. I prefer good conditions for the first flight.
Randy

Lt Col Tom McClain · May 10, 2001 08:04 AM

#4 source

Only the first coat according to Windy is done with a dry coat (50/50) of clear dope. After that the subsequent coats are thinned even more with the second and third coats being 60/40 and then 65/35. This gives you a nice even smooth laydown of clear with minimal weight gain. Try to keep the pressure on the gun under 25 lbs. I shout for around 20. I do not use more than one quart for a 35 to 40 size ship.

Tom McClain, Arlington VA