From: Sky2high@aol.com
Message-ID: <72ba9093.361ade7c@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 23:22:36 EDT
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Subject: Flying in Primer - Pros and Cons
Mime-Version: 1.0

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My 320 was certified 6/96 with the WLS epoxy primer (Lancair recommended).  It
was flown for 14 months before being painted.  During that time I made
extensive modifications to the cowling (opening and closing air holes), wing
tip (trim closed out) and underwing covers (changes to pitot and xpdr
antenna).  N-numbers were sprayed on thru a mask with Krylon.  So.....

Pros:
1. Modifications can be done without concern for re-painting or blending in
paint.
2. WLS is an epoxy-type primer, impervious to fuel, oil or other contaminents
and is easily cleaned and prepped for painting.
3. Krylon easily used for N-numbers, can be washed off with MEK or Acetone.
4. Plane has military/stealth look in WLS gray primer.

Cons:
1. After you have been flying your creation, you must stop, disassamble it,
prep for paint, paint it, reassemble it, rebalance control surfaces, re-weigh
it, etc. (maybe this should be in the "Pro" list)
2. WLS primer produces prodigous amounts of surface static electricity during
flight.  Just wiping my hand over the skin would lift the hair on my arm.
Loran which worked on the ground would cease to operate in the air.
3. Krylon caused a swelling under the paint (where the foot-high N-numbers
were) which seemed to disappear after  3 or 4 months.
4. Plane looks much better with paint.

Scott Krueger
N92EX