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I have been trying to decide whether to leave the plane in primer till
after the test flight, or paint it first and risk having to "retouch"
things.  What are the experiences out there?  I know that logic would say
test everything completely first, but then everything would have to be
taken apart again to paint.  Also, pressurization testing requires the door
seal, etc, which requires the door frame to be painted, etc, etc.  Also,
wouldn't all the control surfaces have to be rebalanced?  Or is that
minimal - since a lot of the heavy coat of primer that I would leave for
the test flight would then get sanded away?

Seems painting it before first flight (at least all the control surfaces so
they wouldn't have to be taken off again) would make sense.  Don't know
about everyone else, but I have a lot of trouble getting the ailerons and
flaps mounted with the wings off the plane and upside down - can't imagine
the problems once it's put together.

Also - is it necessary to keep the hinge access cutouts so small? or can
they be covered with leading edge tape without risk of jamming?

Thanks,  

Gary Wolf (IV-P)