----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl Pattinson" <carl@flyers.freeserve.co.uk>
Subject: Europa Paint (Not Poly Fiber)
> Anyone know if it is possible to use car cellulose paint (eg: Halfords) to
> touch up Europa paintwork.
>
> This was originally done using the factory supplied Aerodur 2 pack
> polyurethane paint.
>
> They are minor scratches and chips but would benefit from a touch up. Is
Carl, you can put cellulose on top of 2 pack paints but why bother. The
answer in your case would be to go to a colour match paint shop taking a
clean example of the colour on a hatch cover for example. They will re-tint
the paint supplied it if it cures a slightly different colour so do a test
piece. You can order their own 2 pack for serious resprays and for an extra
5 they will provide you with an aerosol of that colour with an air curing
agent for touch ups. Both will prove harder wearing than what you currently
have. There is a Colour Match shop in Banbury who are very helpful.
You may remember I am a fan of Gelcoat, now you are beginning to see why. It
would not need re-doing for 30 years and is only heavy if you ignore the
fact that half of what you put on comes off in the blocking down process.
Ofcourse repairs if you ever need them are easy since the entire depth of
material down to the structure is one colour with only one interface for
bond adhesion. In 30 years all painted Europas will be on their 6th respray
and will need 120 HP to get airborne. Whilst they get heavier with age and
keep costing lots of money to re-do, the gelcoated aircraft is slowly
getting lighter and need only be hard waxed on the odd occasion to keep the
superior finish looking good. I don't own shares in Gelcoat companies, but
when a tried and tested dedicated specialist aviation product designed for
composite aircraft with that kind of track record can be bought for the
price of Europa paint why experiment? The truth will out and my customers
and friends will remain one and the same.
|