[NSRCA-discussion] gel coat ??

[Lance Van Nostrand]

Steve,
I agree with Chris.  The addition of a gel coat layer is nothing but dead weight.  Pretty, but of no structural purpose.  Manufacturers have stopped doing this and instead prime in the mold to fill the weave.  We use PPG automotive primer that laquer thinner will not damage.  In addition, our core structure is not affected.  If this plane is a PL or ZN kit or one with foam core the lacquer will destroy it.  Sadly, paint thinner will too (so will CA).  These are not really repaintable, but since they ding so easily, they are best just tossed after a season or two if you are concerned with cosmetics.  make sure the fuse is actually built to last before putting solvents on it.

--Lance

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Steven Maxwell 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 9:30 AM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] gel coat ??


   Thanks Chris that was my thinking, I was going to originally sand it all but that's very time consuming and lacquer gums up sandpaper very bad. My main concern was I didn't want to hurt the fiberglass, carbon, and epoxy on the fuse. If the "gelcoat" is an enamel or polyu, the lacquer thinner won't do much to it. More testing and then I'll run with it. By the way cotton balls work great for this they suck up alot of paint and are cheap.

  Steven Maxwell


    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Chris Moon 
    To: patternrules at earthlink.net;NSRCA Mailing List
    Sent: 3/25/2007 10:07:14 AM 
    Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] gel coat ??


    Steve:
        Most fuses don't have an actual gel coat but just a coat of primer which the thinner might attack.  A true gel coat is tough like a normal resin coat and should be ok against thinner but I have never seen a model fuse with a true gel coat.  I would lightly wipe off what you can of the lustercoat with the thinner and wet sand the rest.

    Chris

    Steven Maxwell wrote: 

      Will laquer thinner attack gelcoat? The test I have done show it takes very little gelcoat off. Reason for asking is I'm about to strip a plane that is painted with Topflight Lustrekote and repaint with PPG.

      thanks
      Steven Maxwell

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