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Paint in Composite Wing Hinge lines..how to remove??

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Paint in Composite Wing Hinge lines..how to remove??

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Old 04-14-2013 | 05:11 AM
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Default Paint in Composite Wing Hinge lines..how to remove??

Hello Experts, Ineed your wisdom!

Irecently had an all-composite jet painted. When Igot it it was gelcoat white, and I had it primered and painted with PPG. My problem is, now, after painting, the paint settled in the "live" hinge lines that were cut by the fatory and now I have two issues:

1. The control surfaces are stiff.
2. The paint will eventually crack and peel from these hi-flex areas.

Question:What is the best way to carefully and accurately remove the paint from these areas?My idea was to set up a jig and use a straight edge and a Dremel tool with the router base to rout the paint out. However, I'm hesitant to get a Dremel tool so close to this wing, for fear of damage. Is there a better, SMARTERway?

Thanks in advance!!
Old 04-14-2013 | 06:08 AM
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Default RE: Paint in Composite Wing Hinge lines..how to remove??

I would 600 wet sand it away. Very carefully.

If it is very thick use 400. And don't use that guy again.
Steve
Old 04-14-2013 | 07:12 PM
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Default RE: Paint in Composite Wing Hinge lines..how to remove??

You might try a triangle file with a fine tooth to it. And carefully file out the paint but dont cut into the kevlar/nylon hinge material. This is typically how you manually create live hinges in a diy kevlar live hinge layup.
Old 04-14-2013 | 07:25 PM
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Default RE: Paint in Composite Wing Hinge lines..how to remove??

dbsonic has got it right.  Clean it out with a triangle file.

Old 04-15-2013 | 03:12 AM
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Default RE: Paint in Composite Wing Hinge lines..how to remove??

Thanks for the great ideas! I like the triangle file idea....
Old 04-15-2013 | 04:39 AM
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Default RE: Paint in Composite Wing Hinge lines..how to remove??

You might want to scribe a line before hitting it with the file.

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