CF-CLR update

[Robert Lees]

Re: CF-CLR update

The guy in the hangar next to mine used a soda blaster from Harbor freight and it did a BEAUTIFUL job cleaning them up. He gave each rib a light dusting of a self etching primer before assembly.
I would do a soda blast instead of putting up with all the mess and cleaning of a stripper. The soda is non-toxic (except to your grass, DON'T use it on your lawn! Changes the Ph so much it kills the grass.) I thought his looked so good I went out and bought one.

Hank

If using soda blasting, make sure you wash off the excess soda very thoroughly with water and let dry. Otherwise the acid part of the etch prime will simply neutralise the alkali of the soda, and not key into the substrate.

Guess how I found this out? The paint part of the etch prime just fell off!

{Edit: Nice blog!}

[Scott]

Re: CF-CLR update

I'm in process of replacing the four wing spars on my 1941 BC12-65. Thanks for taking the time to blog on your restoration. It addressed some of the questions I have. One task I've been hung up on for awhile now is getting the ribs cleaned up. You mentioned soaking the ribs. What solvent are you using and what are you using for trays to place the ribs in?

i purchased a length if heating duct, galvanize steel. opened and flattened it out, then bent up 4 sides using the edge of my work bench, to make a tray and sealed the corners with PRC. I just used varsol and added some laquer thinner, put a rib or two in an cover with a piece of poly. straight laquer thinner is faster but it evaporates faster and fumes are aproblem.

[Scott]

Re: CF-CLR update

soda blasting would not take off the glue/masking tape of which there were several layers on my ribs. it also is not really abrasive enough to remove surface corrosion well. I used aluminium oxide which did a nice job but only after first removing the tape and glue with solvent.

[Scott]

Re: CF-CLR update

here's a photo of the cleaned ribs

[blakecarl]

Re: CF-CLR update

Thanks for the suggestions and Scott for providing details.

No excuses for me not getting my ribs cleaned up.

[Scott]

Re: CF-CLR update

Long tray made from 6" HVAC duct
(just seemed to be an inexpensive source of material)