I painted my Sonex with a high pigment density automotive/industrial paint.
The high density pigment part was supposed to give good coverage in a single application, which it did.
Preparation included undercoating with DeSoto 51X349 and wiping down with 100% Isopropanol before painting.
Just 2 years later the paint is lifting on the rivets (solid rivet build) and separating on at least one metal join.
What Have I done wrong?
I have been thinking about what you describe…I know my thinking might be scary!…but here are my thoughts. ‘High density pigment’ is what I question, only because that implys, to me, a thicker less thin paint. Being thicker, in my mind, might keep the actual paint fron getting into tighter spaces and adhering in there, like rivet heads, and at metal joints. Normal vibration, heating, cooling cycles might loosen the paint as you indicate.. Also, sometimes alcohol wont remove contaminants of things that cant be disolved with alcohol. When I paint metal things, not my plane by the way, I use a petrolium solvent to remove any oil like substances from the surfaces, then go over again with alcohol. I dont do much painting, but that is the method i use, and the instrument panel of Sir PD after 8 years next month, is still fully in place. Just my non-painter thoughts! Let us know what you think about my thoughts!
What of “plasticiser” - I added this to the cowling paint to accomodate the fibreglass movement but never thought to add it to the fuselage/over metal paint???
I don’t think the paint was “thicker” - it just claimed to have a higher density of colouring pigment per ml.
The paint manufacturers application and preparation instructions were followed to the letter - after spraying, it looked great.
The flaking only effects the aesthetics - she still flies like a rocket.
Skippy, what type of paint did you use (epoxy, urethane, etc.)?
Acrylic
Hello again! not sure I have any experience with plasticcizer(?), so maybe some one with further info can help on that!