Prime & paint? Or Powdercoat?

[Buell Powell]

Re: Prime & paint? Or Powdercoat?

I think the only fuselages that I have seen were that were powder coated were at the Taylorcraft factory when they were at La Grange . I never really checked into it but thought they looked really nice. After reading this thread I don't think I will consider using it .THANKS! This forum is a great source for information.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Prime & paint? Or Powdercoat?

Factory , certified? Hmmmmm very interesting.

[PT13Pilot]

Re: Prime & paint? Or Powdercoat?

There's a good case against it right there! The factory used it!!!
I can see it now.......5 years later.....

AD 2012-05-14 "to preclude fuselage tubing failure due to excessive hidden corrosion caused by powdercoating.......to comply with AD replace fuselage with new factory unit with epoxy primer!"
:doh:

[Buell Powell]

Re: Prime & paint? Or Powdercoat?

I'm concerned that the next emergency AD might be on the landing gear. The factory web-site states that they will focus on building them in December.This time with landing gear ready to ship and no one else at all building them.

[robbie]

Re: Prime & paint? Or Powdercoat?

Come on Univair, wag-Aero, Airframe,get started on the gears, get your paper work in order.
Buell's right,if the factory wants to start making them, here we go again with an AD.

[jdoran]

Re: Prime & paint? Or Powdercoat?

Here's a twist on the paint versus powdercoat question:

What about blasting the tubing clean on a fuselage, then having it hot dip galvanized?

The company I work for makes flatbed trailers that they send out for galvanizing. It's amazing how effective the coating is at preventing corrosion.
Has it ever been tried on aircraft frames?

[Robert Lees]

Re: Prime & paint? Or Powdercoat?

I would venture to suggest that neither powdercoating nor hot dip galvanising would meet with FAA approval, unless an STC or 337 is submitted.

Neither process was used when the original TCDS was approved.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Prime & paint? Or Powdercoat?

The hot dip "aluminizing" was used once in a while on Taylorcraft exhaust systems on the F-19 & F-21 during the Feris era. The problem was repairing it if it got cracked, had to balst all that coating off first.