N 96872

[3Dreaming]

Re: N 96872

Below you can see the yellow vinyl mask from Aerographics. All of the numbers were cut out by them. My job was just peel and stick.

I laid out checker boards using mask like that before. It worked pretty well, but Poly Tone tended to lift the edges a little.

[TimHicks]

Re: N 96872

I'm using Stewart Systems and the vinyl mask works about as near perfect as I could imagine.
I pulled off the exterior of the mask with the paint wet.
But I couldn't get the interior parts of the mask off without touching the wet paint. So I left them until the paint dried. See pic attached.
The good news is that, the next morning, the interior parts of the mask came off perfectly after the paint was dry. The lines are straight and sharp.
Having learned this, when I paint the 24" numbers on the wing, I'll leave everything on until the paint is dry.

[N96337]

Re: N 96872

If you can, definitely pull the mask with wet paint. That way if it by chance does lift any paint, it will still flow back on and adhere. Always try to pull the mask off over itself. Stewarts' is way more friendly with masking, but you still shouldn't take any chances.
John

[Ryan]

Re: N 96872

Looking good Tim! Keep up the good work

[TimHicks]

Re: N 96872

I ran the new C85 for the first time this past weekend.
It started right up and ran great.

Actually, as soon as it first started up, a lot of oil started running out of the back of the instrument panel. I had a bad connection in the oil pressure line.

After fixing that, it restarted easily and ran great. There is a small amount of oil seeping from somewhere around the rear case. I haven't really figured out where that is coming from.

Amazingly, the carb doesn't leak at all. (Just got overhauled by Mike's Fuel Metering in Tulsa).

The tachometer didn't show anything. I disconnected the end from the instrument and verified that it was turning when the engine was running. But it looks like the inner cable is just too short.

[TimHicks]

Re: N 96872

With the tail installed. New SS flying wires.
Leather (Naugahyde) patches at the rudder cable exits.
TCraft decal.
Engine cowling installed with the C85.
I charged the brakes with hydraulic fluid the other day.

[TimHicks]

Re: N 96872

Test fit both wings at the same time for the first time.
Connected the fuel lines to the wing tanks. Connected the ailerons and cables.
Gonna move the fuselage out to the airport this coming weekend to make room in the garage to cover the wings.

[TimHicks]

Re: N 96872

A new Tach cable with a longer inner-cable solved the problem (the tach was showing zero when the engine was running). The tachometer works fine now.

And changing a gasket between the oil-screen housing and the back-case solved my oil leak.

[Robert Lees]

Re: N 96872

Your last photo (in the group of 4) needs a couple of corrections:

First of all, the numerous aircraft hanging from the roof have rather droopy propellers, please get them fixed or replaced soonest.

Secondly: your hangar manager needs a good sacking; he forgot the walls.

Lastly: your hangar manager needs to get a few more beers inside him before he has to consider how to taxy out!



Looking good Tim!

[N96337]

Re: N 96872

That looks great, Tim! Nice job!

[TimHicks]

Re: N 96872

Thanks, John and Rob. John, I wanted to let you know that I appreciate your advice about removing the paint masks while the paint is wet. I mentioned previously that, on the wings, I would wait until dry. But after your post, I decided that I should follow the voice of experience and go back to removing while wet.

Rob, the droopy fan blades are exemplary of all of the house maintenance that has been neglected for the last 3 years while I've been immersed in the restoration of 96872. I'm sure that everyone who has gone through this process knows what I'm talking about.

Notice also on the tachometer that the redline is marked at 2300. I bought a new tachometer when I started this project and was proud to have it delivered with the redline painted on the card. Then, mid-project, I bought the C85. So now I need to send the tachometer somewhere to have the card replaced with a redline at 2575 or whatever it is for the C85.

[TimHicks]

Re: N 96872

Yesterday, we moved the fuselage out to the airport. Although we moved it with the rudder and elevators removed, once we arrived at the hangar, I hung the control surfaces.
Now I start the covering process on the wings.

[TimHicks]

Re: N 96872

I got the new tachometer back with the new redline at 2575rpm.
I've finished ribstitching the first (port) wing. I'm putting finishing tapes on now.
This time of year is my favorite for flying. It kills me to be grounded for another autumn.
But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Cover and paint the wings. Then bring them out to the airport and mate them with the fuse.
Final assembly stuff. Then fly! I've got a test pilot lined up for the first taxi and flight tests.

[Robert Lees]

Re: N 96872

Good progress, Tim, carry on with the reports!

[TimHicks]

Re: N 96872

Here's a picture to go with my last report. You can see my starboard wing, uncovered in the background.
It's ready to cover. Once I finish the finish tapes and put the first UV coat on the port wing, I'll take it off of the rotator jig and put the Stbd wing on.
Then I cover that wing and get it up to first UV coat.
Then the rotator goes into the paint room (which is on the other side of the door in the upper right part of the picture) and I paint the wings one at a time.

p.s. there is another 6' wide door on the other end of the paint booth for getting the big parts in and out.