Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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Where is it OK to leave aluminum "naked"?
I'm starting to think about how I will finish-out my 750. I understand that the 6061-T6 is very corrosion resistant and doesn't require any protection if kept in a reasonably dry, salt-free environment (like my hangar!) . (I am, however, apply Cortec to mating surfaces.)I'm thinking I may want to spray the interior of the cabin with primer and the main exterior color for simplicity. I would like to put a lightweight carpet over the floor and back of the baggage area, secured with Velcro (that's the way Cessna did my 206). Since that's 6061, would NO paint in the interior area covered by carpet be OK?
What about the floorboard/heel support area? Is it OK to leave that bare - seems like any paint would just get scratched up quickly? Thought I might put some Velcro secured carpet in that area, too. I am planning to use some epoxy primer - it would be pretty durable on a floorboard, but is ANY coating really necessary if you're going to carpet the area anyway?
I "assume" it's OK to leave bellcranks, etc., bare? On the exterior, I assume I'll paint the rudder brackets and other miscellaneous small aluminum parts along with the fuselage. What about the main landing gear? It's 4027 aluminum - does it need paint? I kind of like the appearance of bare, brushed aluminum - would it be a mistake to leave it "naked" or if I want the bare look and it HAS to be coated - is it possible to just shoot a clear coat?
Any advice/observations/experiences appreciated!
Regards,
John
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robert Pelland on
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John,
You might want to look a little closer at your 750 plans, because the aluminum that is called for in the main landing gear, is 6061-T6, and not 4027.
Robert
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Permalink Reply by John Austin on
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Sorry ... mixing the terminology up! But 6061-T6 is AMS 4027, isn't it? ("AMS 4027" is printed on the gear leg). AMS 4027 is the ?alloy? and 6061-T6 is the ?specification?. (maybe it's the other way around ... beats me!) Sooo, back to my question ... does the (6061-T6) main gear need any sort of coating or protection?
Regards,
John
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More info: I did a little "Googling" last p.m. From what I gather, some clear coat finishes may yellow with time and UV. Supposedly one of the "best" coatings is Nyalic (mentioned on a Navion website) - used to be available from Eastwood, but supposedly only available from "professional applicatiors" now. I also found "ProtectaClear" - a self-leveling protectant that sounds great, but I haven't found any independent reviews ... looks promising.
John
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Permalink Reply by Allan / Zenair Australia on
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Hi John
I have not put any type paint or coating on the main gear of my 601 XLB
And I have over 300 hrs and the plane is hangared it still looks as good as the day I put it on
Cheers
Allan
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Permalink Reply by Samuel McNair on
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I put brush on Rhino liner on the floor boards of my first 801. I also put in drain plugs so I could rinse it out after playing in the dirt. It was relatively cheap, easy to apply, tough as woodpecker lips- I couldn't put a mark on it, just enough grip to be able to get in and out without risk of a slip when wet, dampened sound and vibration very well, brought it up to seams at vertical edges so that could keep moisture out of there too.
Going to use it this AC to also line under the seat area where battery sits - just in case.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Shutze on
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Nice
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