I am planning on covering my plane with Sig Koverall and want to know whether or not Automotive paint is really ok to use or not. I was reading the S T I T S website, and they said that auto paint always cracks and peels after you put it on, thus ruining your model.

PLEASE, someone tell me whether or not this is true, as I have read on this forum that alot of guys use auto paint on their planes. They can't ALL be messing it up, can they?

Aaron

Patriot:

Generally speaking, the acrylic auto paints are fuelproof. as are most of the polyurethanes.

Whatever paint you use, fuelproof or not, all it takes is a fuelproof clear coat to make it work fine.

you want to stay with the airraft lacquers on fabric because of the flexibility. A lot of the various enamels will check or crack.

You can do a quick test for fuelproof, bearing in mind that many become more fuelproof as they age. Many of the ordinary Krylon sprays are fine after they age a week, but the day after you shoot them you can wipe the paint off with fuel as a solvent.

It comes down to shooting test panels, test them as they age.

Or just clearcoat the whole thing and don't worry about it.

Bill.

Patriot, Automotive paint on a fabric surface will require a flex additive. I learned this the hard way by trimming a plane covered with 21st Century Fabric, with Automotive paint. It cracked like crazy because the fabric is so flexible over open areas. With Ultracote, I've never had a problem though.........RS

Patriot1970, if your definition of auto paint is paint purchased at an auto body supply and is applied with a spray gun and not the auto paint in spray cans sold at parts stores you should be all right. Just tell the paint jobber what your doing and they should be able to get you setup. I have painted countless fabric covered models with PPG with excellent results. Gets a little expensive but it's about the most durable paint you'll ever need on a model. No problems with cracking, chipping or peeling and methanol, nitro or gas seem effect it.
2 Piece