I am building a new Flight Box and would like ot know what kind of paint to use. Does it have to be Glow fuel Proof? Will a Spray enamel or oil based paint work? Please advise, and as always, THANKS

Yes, you should use fuel proof paint, as it's hard not to get some fuel on your flight box from time to time. Any polyurethane paint from the hardware store should do fine.

Rustoleum in the spray cans will also work well, just be sure to let it cure for at least two days before exposing it to glow fuel. Rod

I got lazy last time I built a flight box and MONOKOTED it - balsarite first, then the scraps of Moneykote - almost all of it has stayed on too

Jerry

I used Krylon Spray on mine. It worked well, I figure it's probably about the same as the Rustoleum.

Mike

Got a buddy that painted his with an inverted tip, flouresent red marking paint.
Haven't seen him in a while so I don't know how well it lasted but you sure could see it on the flightline!

Mike

They are right about the Rustoleum. Just be sure and let it cure a couple days. It's a whole lot cheaper than fuel proof paint. And more durable I think.

Or you can stain it and clear coat with polyurethane.

I wanna see pictures of the monokoted flight box

Darn, if I had a digital camera, you would be looking at one right now

I'll try and get a photo of mine - not this weekend, but maybe next ....

Jerry

I just painted mine with whatever color I had and then coated the whole thing with 15 minute epoxy thinned with IPA.

I varnished mine, and it's held up great aginst spills and such (even where the fuel tank is held). It also looks very nice with the wood finish.

Latex house paint works awesome. I heard it was fuel proof. I had some left over from painting my living room. That was 10 years ago. It has stood up to raw 30 % heli fuel. Just let it "cure " for a few days.
good luck
Brian

Goldwing,

Two months ago I built a Master Chief MKII and painted using Minwax oil-based polyurethane. It came out very nice and drew a lot of attention in the field.

If the wood used for your box is good (i.e. ply or birch wood), you may try the following:

-1- Minwax pre-paint conditioner (1 coating)
-2- Minwax oil-based paint ( 2 coatings, depending how much
color you want) I used the Natural color. Beautiful!

-3- Minwax Glossy Polyurethane ( 3 coatings; let each coating
dry overnight and sanding between each coating using
#320 or #400 sandpaper).

The glossy polyurethane is fuel-proofing up to 15% nitro. This is what I was told. I believe this finish will serve you for years of
flying.

All these materials are available at Home Depot. Bring a piece of wood and trial painting using different selections of color and how see they come out. Same color paint will look different on different wood.

Any questions, drop me an email. Good luck!

Richard