Painting Inspection Covers

[Dan1940Chief]

I replaced all the ratty old inspection covers yesterday so now my white bird has the silver measles.

What's the easiest way to paint these without a spray gun, booth, and another $10k investment?

Do they need to be primed? If so, will hardware store Rustoleum do the trick?

[kyleb]

I replaced all the ratty old inspection covers yesterday so now my white bird has the silver measles.

What's the easiest way to paint these without a spray gun, booth, and another $10k investment?

Do they need to be primed? If so, will hardware store Rustoleum do the trick?

If you're looking for a reasonable match and the rest of the airplane isn't Oshkosh award winning quality, here's what you do:

Scuff 'em with a scotchbrite pad, wipe them with naptha or a similar low residue solvent, then spray them with whatever you want. If you can find something in a rattle can that's a good match, good for you. This approach will be good for 10 years, at which time you can do it again.

If the paint has to match exactly, last a million years, etc, then take the inspection plates to a local auto body place with a matching paint sample, and they can handle it for you. You'll also need to work with them to match the sheen of the paint - semi-gloss, gloss, etc.

My guess is that your happy place is closer to the first answer than the second.

[Dan1940Chief]

I replaced all the ratty old inspection covers yesterday so now my white bird has the silver measles.

What's the easiest way to paint these without a spray gun, booth, and another $10k investment?

Do they need to be primed? If so, will hardware store Rustoleum do the trick?

If you're looking for a reasonable match and the rest of the airplane isn't Oshkosh award winning quality, here's what you do:

Scuff 'em with a scotchbrite pad, wipe them with naptha or a similar low residue solvent, then spray them with whatever you want. If you can find something in a rattle can that's a good match, good for you. This approach will be good for 10 years, at which time you can do it again.

If the paint has to match exactly, last a million years, etc, then take the inspection plates to a local auto body place with a matching paint sample, and they can handle it for you. You'll also need to work with them to match the sheen of the paint - semi-gloss, gloss, etc.

My guess is that your happy place is closer to the first answer than the second.

DING! DING DING!

We have a winner!!



This Chief will not be visiting Oskosh for awards anytime soon.



Thanks!!

[Champ Dreamer]

You could also take the paint sample to the Aviation Paint Department of your local Home Depot or Lowes.
They can computer match and sell you a quart of oil based enamel for a 10th what the auto place will want (for much better paint of course).

Brian Walker
'46 7AC, coming along well, about cover fuselage

[Dan1940Chief]

You could also take the paint sample to the Aviation Paint Department of your local Home Depot or Lowes.
They can computer match and sell you a quart of oil based enamel for a 10th what the auto place will want (for much better paint of course).

Brian Walker
'46 7AC, coming along well, about cover fuselage

I experimented with Rustoleum white primer this weekend. Looks great! I will spray a top coat (also Rustoleum) on top and it should match the current "refrigerator white" scheme quite nicely.

My next big project will be paiting over the huge N number on the sides of the fuselage.

[jc pacquin]

A fellow in Mayville, N.Y. painted his entire Aeronca with Rustoleum bright yellow after he recovered it. (ceconite) It looks very good! I THINK its called sunburst. I've used rustoleum alot over the years, great paint! As for BIG N numbers, I like the little ones, just forward of the elevators, in case a low pass is in order. JP

[Dan1940Chief]

A fellow in Mayville, N.Y. painted his entire Aeronca with Rustoleum bright yellow after he recovered it. (ceconite) It looks very good! I THINK its called sunburst. I've used rustoleum alot over the years, great paint! As for BIG N numbers, I like the little ones, just forward of the elevators, in case a low pass is in order. JP

Interesting -- wouldn't that void the STC, though?



I agree on the low pass -- there's a reason we have low power and slow forward speeds!

[Paul Agaliotis]

No it wouldn't. A paint job is considered preventative maintenance, provided the surfaces are not balanced. A pilot can sign it off as the owner.
Paul

[MikeB]

I'm not sure how much 'flex' (if any) is built into Rustoleum paint. It might not matter if it's based in a warm area but, generally most enamel type paints will crack and ring worm in the colder climates.

Mike

[jc pacquin]

LOTS of "things" go on at small airports, especially ones up your way (western Penna & Western N.Y. Like no license but flying for 15 years (former airline pilot) without one (super cub) J3 cub with aeronca wings (experimental) flys GREAT! Looks good!Aircraft flying out of license but carefully maintained, and on and on. More low flying up that way also which I used to really enjoy. Too many towers now and too many nosey people desperate to turn you in. The Stearman was GOOD for buzzing! Wind it up to 120, come thru just over the roof , pull up and LEAVE! 2nd pass is when hystrical neighbor calls police. Aeronca,not much buzzing fun, too quiet. Not sure about the flexing of Rustoleum. The aircraft I mentioned is still ok. (3 years) I know Imron is NO GOOD on fabric aircraft. Many painted it when it first came out and had to do it over.There is a certain segment that really ignores the FAA due to their location (boonies) and their disposition.! JP

[Captgrumps]

Quiet Aeronca's have an advantaage during warm weather--for doing the swimming pool patrol..Ever see a a neighbor or sociallite run for a towel? An OF in a Champ is harmless but they don't know it. We call it fun in the country. City folks miss all the fun..

Doug--OF's forever

[WWhunter]

Paul,
You stated that a pilot can sign off a paint job. Does that mean I can repaint my entire Champ "legally" myself? I guess it doesn't matter I was going to do it anyways. The previous owner kept it outside on floats most of the time and bird s#it left stains in one of the trim colors. Looks fine from a distance but up close there are dark spots all over. I was thinking of a light sanding and a light coat over the plane would do it.
WW

[Paul Agaliotis]

WW,
As long as you don't start taking a bunch of stuff off. An owner can paint the airplane as PM. I'll look up the reg.
It's located in FAR Part 43, Appendix A item (c)(9).
Paul

[Red(neck) Barron]

Scuff 'm and spray 'm.

Won't give you a pro job but that is for when you recover.

Muriatic acid will clean and etch the metel with a Scotch brite pad but be VERY careful with that stuff. Rubber gloves, long sleeves, eye protection and don't breathe it. Properly preped metel will help the paint adhere through the flexings of the covers.