Dark or Light?

[mulwyk]

Maybe someone will know the answer to this:

A couple weeks ago I was telling some EAA guys about my Taylorcraft project. I was telling them how my cowl is in such rough shape, (lumpy, stop drilled, and sporting several old repairs) that I didn't think I'd ever get it looking good again. Then one of the EAA old-timers pops up and says "Don't worry about it. Just fix her up as best you can and then paint it white. The white color will hide any minor imperfections!"

OK fine. So just a week after that I'm telling this Other Guy about my project and how the cowl is all beat up but I'm gonna give it my best and then paint it white. But HE SAYS "No, no don't paint it white. Paint it black or some other dark color. The darker colors will hide minor imperfections!"

So, which is it? Dark or Light? Or maybe it doesn't matter?

[flyguy]

Re: Dark or Light?

I think you are correct; it doesn't matter.

Personally I would never paint an airplane a dark color. (trim being the exception) It is just impractical for something that is out in the sun a lot. The surface of a dark plane or car will get so hot you cannot touch it in the summer whereas a white one will remain near OAT.
All the dark colors fade and oxidize much worse in the sun than the lighter ones.
Having said that I just painted a 74 Z28 Camaro a dark copper because it was easier to paint it the original color, but it spends most of it's time under a cover in the garage and is driven only when temperatures are cool and comfortable.
Darryl

[M Towsley]

Re: Dark or Light?

Bob,

My first BC-12D was white and I didn't realize it for months that I had some minor hail damage all along the top of the cowl. You had to look in the right light while sitting in it to see it, otherwise, it wasn't obvious.

[Pearson]

Re: Dark or Light?

White will hide minor dents and dings, while black will accentuate them.

[hangarb7]

Re: Dark or Light?

My TC is white. The cowl is ruff but out in the bright sun, from eight feet, it looks pretty good and I get compliments all the time.

Now if the "dark" gent really meant dull, primer black, I guess that hides a lot.

Go with white.

Jack
N44057

[Ryan]

Re: Dark or Light?

Our Pacer is painted light ivory and brown. I agree that the lighter color hid most imperfections, and made our plane a good "ten foot" plane. During the engine rebuild I banged some of the dents out, and filled others with the poly fiber putty, and it looks great, the light ivory seems to hide minor imperfections well. They stick out a little more on the brown, and the brown does fade easier. Sure does hide the oil on the belly from the old leaky enfine though!

Ryan

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Dark or Light?

As long as it is not glossy it will not reflect and show the roughness.