Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:42 am
All,
I spent many hours reading internet postings, manufacturer's data sheets, and talking to EAA members. I spent many hours thinking about the subject. I changed my mind numerous times. Finally, with parts piling up, I said "time's up, do something". At that point, my intended process had evolved to:
(1) Wipe down with acetone
(2) Part A, Wash with Dawn dishwashing detergent
(3) Part B, Wash with Dawn dishwashing detergent while lightly scuffing surface with gray scotchbrite pads
(4) Blow dry with air gun
(5) Paint with three light coats of Marhyde (or, is it Mar-hyde?)
(6) Let dry and harden for 24 hours
Before I got to this point I had considered many other options:
- Do nothing (i.e., rely on Alclad)
- MEK for cleaning
- Alumiprep and Alodine
- Tempo Zinc Chromate
- Tempo Zinc Oxide
- Epoxy Primer
- AFS
- Rustoleum Primer
- Topcoat/No Topcoat
- other...
The selection reduced to two problems I could not resolve:
(1) The chemical toxicity of all of these substances is a significant concern for me. I have two small kids in the house and don't feel comfortable with lots of industrial-strength chemicals around, in the air, the yard, etc.
(2) The main reason for applying these coatings is to prevent corrosion. Unfortunately, I could find very little info documenting their long-term performance in this area.
So, how does one perform a tradeoff between performance, hazard, and ease-of-use if performance data is not available? I don't know. So I chose the method/product that seemed easy to use, is only slightly deadly if used properly, and is on Van's list in Section 5 of the instructions.
Peter, sorry, I didn't really mean to imply that I hated the process, I meant that it was much less enjoyable for me than the metal work. I think I'm just a bad painter. Nevertheless, everything came out looking pretty nice when done, and it REALLY LOOKS GREAT RIVETED TOGETHER!! (my basement now looks like a Boeing airplane factory!)
P.S. Given the importance of corrosion prevention, and given the lack of solid performance data on the wide variety of approaches available to the amateur builder, I would like to propose that the EAA commission a technical study of this subject. I suggest they hire a suitable expert in the field and have him/her spend a year or so evaluating the complete range of candidate processes practical for the home builder. Then tell us how the various approaches compare with respect to (1) corrosion prevention performance, (2) safety/toxicity, (3) cost, and (4) ease-of-use.
I spent many hours reading internet postings, manufacturer's data sheets, and talking to EAA members. I spent many hours thinking about the subject. I changed my mind numerous times. Finally, with parts piling up, I said "time's up, do something". At that point, my intended process had evolved to:
(1) Wipe down with acetone
(2) Part A, Wash with Dawn dishwashing detergent
(3) Part B, Wash with Dawn dishwashing detergent while lightly scuffing surface with gray scotchbrite pads
(4) Blow dry with air gun
(5) Paint with three light coats of Marhyde (or, is it Mar-hyde?)
(6) Let dry and harden for 24 hours
Before I got to this point I had considered many other options:
- Do nothing (i.e., rely on Alclad)
- MEK for cleaning
- Alumiprep and Alodine
- Tempo Zinc Chromate
- Tempo Zinc Oxide
- Epoxy Primer
- AFS
- Rustoleum Primer
- Topcoat/No Topcoat
- other...
The selection reduced to two problems I could not resolve:
(1) The chemical toxicity of all of these substances is a significant concern for me. I have two small kids in the house and don't feel comfortable with lots of industrial-strength chemicals around, in the air, the yard, etc.
(2) The main reason for applying these coatings is to prevent corrosion. Unfortunately, I could find very little info documenting their long-term performance in this area.
So, how does one perform a tradeoff between performance, hazard, and ease-of-use if performance data is not available? I don't know. So I chose the method/product that seemed easy to use, is only slightly deadly if used properly, and is on Van's list in Section 5 of the instructions.
Peter, sorry, I didn't really mean to imply that I hated the process, I meant that it was much less enjoyable for me than the metal work. I think I'm just a bad painter. Nevertheless, everything came out looking pretty nice when done, and it REALLY LOOKS GREAT RIVETED TOGETHER!! (my basement now looks like a Boeing airplane factory!)
P.S. Given the importance of corrosion prevention, and given the lack of solid performance data on the wide variety of approaches available to the amateur builder, I would like to propose that the EAA commission a technical study of this subject. I suggest they hire a suitable expert in the field and have him/her spend a year or so evaluating the complete range of candidate processes practical for the home builder. Then tell us how the various approaches compare with respect to (1) corrosion prevention performance, (2) safety/toxicity, (3) cost, and (4) ease-of-use.