Ernest Christley <echristley@nc.rr.com> wrote:

 > > > The epoxy is advertised as a fuel tank liner.  Could it be used for the actual layups of the tank sides and baffles? < < < Hi Ernest,

No, I doubt that you'd want to use this as a laminating epoxy.... first off, I don't know what its structural characteristics are, second, it would be really tough to see air bubbles and other possible problems with the layups with an opaque pigmented epoxy, and finally, it's a pretty viscous material... getting adequate wet-outs would be a real chore.  Lancair has been supplying Jeffco 1307LV as its structural resin for a number of years, it has been well tested and is factory approved with 2 different hardeners... 3102 (15 minute) & 3156 (30 minute).  I personally use Jeffco 3179 (45 minute) hardener during the heat of summer and especially for large layups... it has superior structural characteristics compared to both of the factory-approved hardeners, and is a much lower viscosity material, which makes wet-outs happen a bit quicker.

Anyway, the method of application that most of my Lancair pals use with the 9700 tank sealer is to squeegee on the first coat to fill pinholes, then roll on the second.  The stuff smells bad, but thumbs its figurative nose at gasoline.  It definitely works well.  Lots of folks also paint the floor of the fuselage and the upward-facing surfaces of the gear wells as a barrier against possible damage from hydraulic fluid spills.

  <Marv>