1946 BC12D upgrade to F19

[Tom Rupe]

I foolishly told my friend I would do the grunge work to restore his airplane, while an IA watched over me. That was before I found out he wanted to convert it to an F19. Don't ask.

The airplane has been disassembled with fabric removed for four years, but still has all the pieces. I think.

I have moved the wings to my shop and would like some advise on what mesh of glass beads to use in order to blast the rust and paint off the steel parts with out doing them any damage.

I have built 2 metal airplanes, but this is my first attempt at tube and fabric restoration. I will probably have lots more questions.

Tom Rupe

[Mark Julicher]

Re: 1946 BC12D upgrade to F19

Tom,
I was told by my local abrasives guy that about #10 glass works equivalent to #5 blast sand which is a good place to start. According to the local expert, you should keep the pressure below 80 psi or it just turns the glass into dust.
Hope that helps.
Glass bead is a lot more $$ than sand, I hope your buddy has deep pockets.

[Tom Rupe]

Re: 1946 BC12D upgrade to F19

Been away for a few days, how does #10 glass comare to mesh sizes they sell at McMaster Carr?

thanks

[Mark Julicher]

Re: 1946 BC12D upgrade to F19

Tom,
I don't know how to compare with mesh sizes. I never tried.
The local sales guy said #10 compared favorably with #5 blast sand which is fairly small... smaller than "Play Sand" from Home Despot.

[Pearson]

Re: 1946 BC12D upgrade to F19

Tom,

My suggestion is to get all the welding required by the Harer STC completed before you blast the fuselage. If you do the blasting first, you will have to put some sort of primer on to prevent rust. Then when you weld, you will be removing primer in those areas. If you do the welding first, then blast, you will only have to prime once.

[tim]

Re: 1946 BC12D upgrade to F19

use sugar sand been there done that and cheap paint rustolum paint

[Tom Rupe]

Re: 1946 BC12D upgrade to F19

The welding has already been done to the fuselage, but I intend to make sure before blasting. I'm going to try some 80 grit glass from Harbor Freight to see how that works. Sugar sand?

[Tom Rupe]

Re: 1946 BC12D upgrade to F19

Tried the 80 grit glass blasting media in my vaccuum blaster and it worked pretty well. Slow on paint though. I don't have much paint to worry about, just the wing attach points and lift strut attach. Should work fine on the fuslege frame.