Restoring paint
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Big Pistons Forever
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Restoring paint
My little Grumman AA1B was repainted in the late 1990's (scuff and paint) with solid blue wings and tail. The aircraft is hangered now but spent a lot of time outdoors and the wing and tail paint is very faded with blotchy whitish discoloured patches. I would like to try buffing a shine but am not sure what products and methods work best. Any advice would be appreciated.
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black hole
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Re: Restoring paint
If the paint is only faded; buffing is worth the effort. Go to your local auto paint suppier an buy a good power buffer and polishing compound. The store will sell you the best they have. Pay the price! Its cheep as compaired to a paint job. About 2 days you can have a new plane.
If the paint is peeling: well....
BH
If the paint is peeling: well....
BH
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Tiredoldcoot
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- Joined: Thu May 17, 2012 2:24 pm
Re: Restoring paint
BPF:
A few years back ( ok back around 94) there was a Truck similar to the Snap-on truck that went around to the dealerships. Company was called Car-Brite. They carry a rubbing compound in gallon containers. No abrasive in it and ya mix it with water. I used it in a spray bottle. A soft towel and a quick hand rub and the paint cames right back up! Even with Dupont Imron paint!
I also used a polishing compound from them, same thing, just hand rubbed, Not hard and came up faster then that Turtle wax stuff!
I just did it in about 1 foot square sections.
The name escapes me, (of the polishing compound and polish) but it was very effective. Time consuming but did a great job on the old paint.
Personally, and other may feel free to differ, I would never touch an aircraft with a power polishers/buffer! I have had to replace whole sections of skin caused by the owner using a power polisher, an abrasive rubbing compound and taking the heads off the rivets!!
But your aircraft, you call!
A few years back ( ok back around 94) there was a Truck similar to the Snap-on truck that went around to the dealerships. Company was called Car-Brite. They carry a rubbing compound in gallon containers. No abrasive in it and ya mix it with water. I used it in a spray bottle. A soft towel and a quick hand rub and the paint cames right back up! Even with Dupont Imron paint!
I also used a polishing compound from them, same thing, just hand rubbed, Not hard and came up faster then that Turtle wax stuff!
I just did it in about 1 foot square sections.
The name escapes me, (of the polishing compound and polish) but it was very effective. Time consuming but did a great job on the old paint.
Personally, and other may feel free to differ, I would never touch an aircraft with a power polishers/buffer! I have had to replace whole sections of skin caused by the owner using a power polisher, an abrasive rubbing compound and taking the heads off the rivets!!
But your aircraft, you call!
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Tiger Moth
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- Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:32 am
Re: Restoring paint
I've used PEEK polish to take the oxidation off the paint. It's available in quart cans at Goulet Aircraft supply, and probably other places.
3M makes a rubbing compound called Perfect-It, it's sold at Acklands. I can't remember what # it was, but it came in a magenta bottle. It's a pretty good product, and when applied with a cheap automotive buffer (think princess auto or crappy tire) worked really well. It didn't appear to have a negative effect on acrylic or lexan windows either.
Follow up the rubbing compound with some mothers or maguires wax and you are set!
3M makes a rubbing compound called Perfect-It, it's sold at Acklands. I can't remember what # it was, but it came in a magenta bottle. It's a pretty good product, and when applied with a cheap automotive buffer (think princess auto or crappy tire) worked really well. It didn't appear to have a negative effect on acrylic or lexan windows either.
Follow up the rubbing compound with some mothers or maguires wax and you are set!
