Another approach to my aluminum sheet

[mhorowit]

Previously you suffered thru me fretting and worrying about how to handle the corrosion on the aluminum sheet found in my ailerons. We talked about removing corrosion, cleaning, alodining and priming. HOWEVER...

If you look at the aluminum currently inplace, I'm wondering if it's just as it came from the supplier, that whatever coating it came with was good enough.

If that's the case, and I don't have to go thru (see para 1), then I might as well just say 'screw it', order the sheet, use the old as a template and stop futzing around.

All hinges on if what I'm seeing is correct.

Is whatever protects the aluminum as it comes from Dillsburg all I really need?
- Mike

[Bobdog]

Re: Another approach to my aluminum sheet

Mike, I'd just order a 2' X 4' piece of .020 2024 Alclad from Aircraft Spruce, and use you old ones for a pattern. (Be sure to put some radius in the corners.) Then give them a LIGHT coat of epoxy primer, and nail/screw them in place. I made the same parts just a couple of weeks ago, and it's no big deal. Bob

[mhorowit]

Re: Another approach to my aluminum sheet

Mike, I'd just order a 2' X 4' piece of .020 2024 Alclad from Aircraft Spruce, and use you old ones for a pattern. (Be sure to put some radius in the corners.) Then give them a LIGHT coat of epoxy primer, and nail/screw them in place. I made the same parts just a couple of weeks ago, and it's no big deal. Bob

Do you think Rustoleum primer would do as well? These pieces of metal form the leading edge of the aileron and will not be exposed to adhesive, except by accident - Mike

[Bobdog]

Re: Another approach to my aluminum sheet

Gee Mike, I thought you were just making the triangle shaped pieces behind the center hinge. If you're going to make new leading edges, thats a lot bigger job. You will have to preform the leading edge fairings. For this you'll have to find a sheetmetal shop that can form them for you, or you can build a press brake and form them yourself using a 3/4" tube to form the radius. However, no matter what parts you are making, you can use zink chromate primer (spray can) on the inside portion of the part and use epoxy / or leave it bare on the out side portion of the part. When you brush on the fist coat of poly brush on the the metal, it will lift one part primers. Check the Poly Fiber manual for the correct procedure .

[mhorowit]

Re: Another approach to my aluminum sheet

Gee Mike, I thought you were just making the triangle shaped pieces behind the center hinge. If you're going to make new leading edges, thats a lot bigger job. You will have to preform the leading edge fairings. For this you'll have to find a sheetmetal shop that can form them for you, or you can build a press brake and form them yourself using a 3/4" tube to form the radius. However, no matter what parts you are making, you can use zink chromate primer (spray can) on the inside portion of the part and use epoxy / or leave it bare on the out side portion of the part. When you brush on the fist coat of poly brush on the the metal, it will lift one part primers. Check the Poly Fiber manual for the correct procedure .

Bobdog - it's still in the air. I'm looking at the work + cost required to remove corrosion, clean, alodine,prime vice simply bending a new part and adding a simple spray of ZCr. - Mike