Stewarts System question

[Garry Crookham]

Has anyone used the Stewarts single part EkoPrimer primer? Any opinions on duarability compared to Stits/Poly Fiber epoxy primer?

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Garry Crookham
Tulsa

[flyguy]

Re: Stewarts System question

Generally speaking, the main advantage of epoxy (I am assuming you are talking about for the airframe) is that it resists the effects of the solvents in the fabric coatings.
Darryl

[Pearson]

Re: Stewarts System question

Gary,

Darryl is correct that epoxy is good for resisting the solvents used in most fabric covering processes. But with the Stewart system the solvent is water. So you don't need the primer to resist powerful solvents that are used in other covering processes. If you are going to use the Stewart process, I would go with their products from start to finish. Mixing products from different processes is like flying your plane outside of it's envelope. You become the test pilot. If you are seeking more protection against rust of your airframe, I would talk to the Stewart people about your concerns. They may suggest putting a top coat on the airframe after you have primed.

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Stewarts System question

Darryl and Richard,

Thanks for the responses. I’ve been using Stits/Poly Fiber for the last 40 years and have obtained excellent results and especially like the epoxy primer. Several years ago I shot a coat of Stits epoxy primer on one of my dirt bikes skid plates and have been amazed at the durability of the primer as it has been exposed to the dirt, mud, rocks, sand, water, and general abuse.

However having studied the Stewarts System I think the water-borne products are now probably the way to go due to being less hazardous, and I like the idea of a single component primer.
The literature for the primer states:
“Stewart Systems Primer Sealer is a high quality, single component primer, not requiring any catalyzing agent. Performance obtained is equal or superior to that of two-component, catalyzed epoxy systems. PRIMER SEALER offers good coverage, excellent durability, and ease of application, as well as being a low VOC and EPA compliant coating”.


I’m ready to cover a set of Taylorcraft gear legs and tail surfaces and was hoping that someone on the forum had used the primer and could give me an opinion. Stewart also has a water-borne two component epoxy primer available. I’ve ordered a quart of each primer and will probably use the two component epoxy primer on the gear legs and the single component on the tail surfaces.

Richard, I agree that different processes should not be mixed and all of the covering STC's do not allow mixing.

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Garry Crookham
Tulsa

[Pearson]

Re: Stewarts System question

Garry,

Well now you have ME wondering! If their single component primer is "equal or superior" to a two part epoxy primer, why do they also offer their own two part product. I remember someone here on the forum saying they had used Stewarts and liked it. Maybe they will reply to your post soon and answer your question. I will be eager to hear your opinion of both of Stewarts primers after you have used them.

[Ray36048]

Re: Stewarts System question

The Poly Fiber primer is great stuff. After finishing primer on some aircraft parts I had some left over. I went into my back yard and quickly hand wire brushed our rusty well head cap. I then painted it with the primer using a brush. That was 20 years ago and it still looks great with no rust.

[Hal]

Re: Stewarts System question

I talked with Stewarts about this. They said that epoxy primer was fine.
Hal

[N96337]

Re: Stewarts System question

You'll be happy with the durability of either one. I prefer the 2 part usually, but the one part is awesome stuff as well!
John

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Stewarts System question

Thanks John, that's what I was hoping to hear.


Garry

[N96337]

Re: Stewarts System question

The main thing to remember Garry, is to mix it exactly like it's supposed to be mixed. It doesn't lend itself well to "TLAR" (That Looks About Right) mixing.
John