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Here's a question for you materials engineering types out there... the
Lancair cowls (and LNC2 header tanks) are provided with gel-coat exterior
surfaces, and yet it appears that the structure is actually fabricated with
epoxy layups.   I am assuming that it is a common practice to use polyester
or vinylester gel coats for surface finish and then to build structure with
epoxy?

The reason I'm asking is I've created a little mold with which I'm going to
fabricate the interior covers for some Hartwell latches (access panels
which are located on the fuselage structure in the cabin area) to keep the
panels weatherproof.  Needless to say, these things are relatively small
and will be visible from under the latches, so I'll need to finish (paint)
them either before or after installation.  It would be much easier to
simply gel coat them in a bright white and eliminate that finishing step.
And yes, my molds have a glass-like glossy surface on them, so I won't need
to do anything else if I gel coat.  I still want to do the structure with
epoxy layups... I'm assuming this is ok...  what say you?

   <Marv>


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