>Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 23:31:10 -0500
>Patrick wrote:
>
>> .......one of my relatives, who operates an auto body repair shop, just
>> installed a state of the art, temperature controlled spray booth....
>>
>>....The booth is computer controlled and can be programed to do about any
>> thing. I think it is capable of 150 f degrees.
>> I could use it for two days (on a weekend). There might be other builders
>> out there who have access to similar facilties, but haven't thought about
>> using them for post cure.....
>>
>> My question to you is should I use this facility to post cure, and if so
>> how do I do it ?
>>
>>
>Patrick,
>
>YES !!! You are very fortunate to have such a nice paint booth to your
>avail. I have always advocated this type facility for post curing.
>
>Here are my suggestions on post curing.
>
>If possible - post cure after micro-filling and sanding, but before
>painting. I have seen many older composite airplanes, develop surface
>imperfections and fabric weave "print-thru" due to filler shrinkage from
>baking in the sun over the years. If you post cure the micro-fill too,
>the majority of the filler will have been pre-shrunk. Before, painting
>you can "re-work" the surfaces - thus reducing or even eliminating
>filler shrinkage related surface irregularities that can occur later
>on. You can be as far along as the high build surfacer/primer stage if
>you like. But be prepared to rework any areas that exhibit post cure
>shrinkage.
>
>There is no need to completely assemble the airplane - the wings can
>stand alone. Position the main wings leading edge down with support
>under the winglet so the main wing chord is perpendicular to - but off
>the floor. A wing cradle comes in real handy for this. Position the
>canard leaded edge down too. The fuselage should have the canopy and
>cowlings securely in place.
>
>Do not preheat the oven. Raise the temperature gradually to 140-150F
>over a period of 3-4 hours. The more gradual - the better. Once the
>oven is up to temperature, allow it stay there for at least 6 hours and
>up to 12 hours. This allows time for everything to become completely
>heat soaked. The cool down cycle should be very gradual over a period
>of 4-8 hours in the oven. Do not shock cool by pulling it out of the
>oven into a cold wintery day. The airplane temperature should be within
>20F of the ambient temperature before removing from the oven.
>
>The whole process takes about a day. Place everything in the oven one
>morning - start the sequence - remove the next morning.
>
>Gary Hunter
>
>
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