richardgerardi

I am about to cover the Astro's fuse and was planning on painting the fire wall and cokpit. Should I cover it first and than paint those parts or the opposite. I saw one where it was painted first and the monokote did not stick well and in fact peeled of the painted areas. Thanks

Ram Jet

If in doubt mask the surrounding areas. Now you've got me nervous. I am building a wing and before I cover it I was going to spray the entire frame with Midwest clear Aero Gloss. E-mail to Monocote for me I guess.

Bill

outdoorhunting

Mono-kote doesn't like to stick to paint !! I've tried &tried &tried & tried & tried & well you get the idea. It don't work very well..

Ram Jet

I just got an E-mail from Rick B. at Hobbico and he recommends Balsarite for a sealer for wood prior to covering. He said it was developed specifically for that application. He referred me to Tower Hobbies for the Balsarite. Can I assume Balsarite applied over previously painted surfaces would solve the problem? I'm staying with Econocoat and will add Balsarite to the process.

Regards,
Bill

DaveB

When I built my "Hog" I painted the cockpit and firewall areas first being careful not to get paint on the exterior of the fuselage. I covered the plane with Solartex which adhered o.k. but not great to the paint (Krylon rattle can from Walmart). The covering around the cockpit area was secured well by making coaming from windshield washer fluid tubing. I cut the tubing to size, split it and glued to the edges of the cockpit opening. Looks good and holds good. If memory serves the glue was RC56 canopy glue.

DaveB

richardgerardi

She is done and ready for first flight, thanks for the comments

chashint

The problem is that when you apply heat to the paint it melts or bubbles off the structure.
Putting Balsarite on top of paint will not fix this issue.
Fuel proof the firewall with epoxy, cover, then paint.