Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

[8708]

Does anyone have any experience with the Stits wet-look versus satin finishes? I am trying to decide which to use on my Tcraft. I am going to use the glacier white color with Pontiac red stripes.
I spoke with the folks at Polyfiber about both. They say the wet look will always have that look and not fade over time. The only difference is to repair the wet look finish you have to sand it first to get down to the base coat. The satin finish can be prepared for repairs simply by using MEK.
I would love to hear from anyone that has experience with the wet-look finish.
Jay
Midland, TX

[N96337]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

I've been using PolyFiber (Stitts) for 20+ years, and have had both Aerothane and Polytone finishes. Normally I use Aerothane, as it's so tough. Everyone always points to repairs, but I've never really seen where it's such a big deal to repair either one. The other thing is, how many repairs do you actually make to fabric??? It would be one thing if I was having to repair it every day, but even in ag flying, and "bush" flying, it just wasn't that much of a factor.
The biggest consideration for the two different finishes, is application. The Aerothane requires a fresh air breathing system, while the Polytone requires the use of a common respirator. The Aerothane is a bit tougher finish, as far as chemical resistant. Polytone can be made to look just as shiny as anything, if buffed and waxed..but it takes a bit of work.
Good luck!!
JH

[Norm G]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

Polytone, the satin look is suppose to be easier to spray. One thing, if you want to use Polytone on sheet metal, spray the two part epoxy primer then while the primer is still wet spray the Polytone. The color will chemically bond to the wet primer and color will match the fabric area.

[mulwyk]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

Norm:
OK, so if I don't want to poison myself with urethane and I don't want to spray polytone into wet epoxy...What's the alternative? Enamel?

Bob

[Norm G]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

I have used both systems. The Poly-tone is much easier to spray, won't run or sag the way aero-thane can if your not carefull.

If your plane is going to be kept outside, I would opt for the aero-thane, it's more resistant to things like bird droppings and a lot easier to clean the dirt and grime off that shiny surface. Poly-tone on the other hand looks more like the original satin finish.

As for painting over wet primer, just shoot the poly-tone 1st coat before the the primer sets up, then apply the cover coats later just as you would over the fabric area.

I'm going to use poly-tone this time around on my 1941 BC12. The plane before this was my 7AC, Aeronca Champ and I did that one in aero-thane.

Norm G

[N96337]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

Norm:
OK, so if I don't want to poison myself with urethane and I don't want to spray polytone into wet epoxy...What's the alternative? Enamel?

Bob

Bob, you can't use enamel over PolyFiber's fabric anymore on a certified aircraft. Your choices are limited to either Aerothane, or Polytone. All the systems include specified topcoats now.
As far as Polytone, it's not that tough to get it to shine, and the finish isn't by any means "fragile". The Fairchild 71 that I used to travel with, had (at that time) 20+ year old Polytone, and had been waxed once a year, and it was nice and shiny and not a problem to keep up.
On the other hand, Aerothane isn't that tough to shoot. ANY topcoat will run if you don't follow the procedures to apply it. In my mind, the biggest drawback of the Aerothane (and any other polyurethane, with only one or two exceptions) is the health hazards and the necessary precautions to keep from getting exposed to the isocyanide in the catalyst. If you're set up to use it, it's not that big of a deal, and it's not really that big of a deal to get set up... just costs a few hundred dollars more. Now that I have my setup, I use it no matter what I shoot, and it's really nice to be able to taste my food at night and not have any headaches!
JH

[mulwyk]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

Polytone into wet epoxy...are we talking about a fabric finish?

For some reason, I was thinking I could use Polytone on the fabric (without wet epoxy primer) and then use good old enamel on the metal parts.

But now my understanding is this; On the Fabric you can use either Polytone (with wet epoxy?) or Aerothane (with epoxy?) On the Metal you can use Polytone shot into wet epoxy primer, or use Aerothane...but no enamel. Is that correct?

Bob

[3Dreaming]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

For some reason, I was thinking I could use Polytone on the fabric (without wet epoxy primer) and then use good old enamel on the metal parts.

Bob

That statement is correct. You can put either Aerothane or Polytone over the Polyspray on the fabric. No other special primers.
For the metal parts you can spray Polytone into the wet epoxy primer, Aerothane over epoxy primer, or enamel over your favorite primer. Tom

[Norm G]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

No No No. Poly-tone over epoxy metal primer on the metal parts, nose cowl, engine cowling, that sort of thing. No epoxy primer on fabric.

[N96337]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

Sorry Bob, that was my misread .... you and the others are correct...you can shoot anything you want onto the metal surfaces.
JH

[mulwyk]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

OK...in the "old" days we would cover with Grade A or Ceconite finished with dope. The metal bits were zinc chromate primered and finished with enamel.

Assuming I want to stay away from the Aerothane stuff, The Polyfiber system, for me, would be just like Ceconite only finished with Polytone instead of dope. And the metal parts could still be finished with enamel only I'd use epoxy primer instead of zinc chromate.

Is that a fair summary?


Bob

[high time cub]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

These are antiques.....curious, why not use ceconite and dope?

[mulwyk]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

Yes! Why not?

Does anyone still use Ceconite/dope?

Bob

[Dick Huish]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

YES. Even tho Butyrate gives me a headache. Dick

[mulwyk]

Re: Polyfiber wet-look versus satin finish?

What's the downside to Ceconite/dope? Cost of materials? Labor? Weight?

Seems like most folks are recovering with the Polyfiber. Why?

Bob Gustafson