I need some help quickly before I fuelproof my firewall on a kit I have built.

I want the firewall black. I have the epoxy and black dope but want to know if I should.......

1. Paint it black first, with dope, then apply the epoxy?

2. Mix a little black dope with the epoxy?

3. Apply the dope after the epoxy.

Please let me hear from you.

Thanks,

Jimmy

I don't even use epoxy with dope. I clear dope everything usually about 3 coats, and then go black dope about the same. The dope last indefinately. The oldest finish is 8yrs, and holding strong. That is the oldest because that's the oldest plane I have that I used dope on, on the other planes the dope literally outlasted the planes(. I don't use epoxy if I don't have to, it's weight that you really don't have to add. Just an opinion here.
On areas that I have color-doped over epoxy the dope never seems to last. If you have clear dope just use that, I would, have, and do. Good luck.

I have had good success by applying black dope first, usually a
couple of coats are needed. Then apply epoxy thinned with denatured alcohol (available at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc).
I usually thin with about 1/4 alcohol and 3/4 epoxy. Be sure and
mix the epoxy thoroughly before thinning with the alcohol.
I found it sets quicker if you do. Note: if you are using thin epoxy,
you may want to add less alcohol. I look for a consistency like
clear dope out of the bottle. Good luck!

Will go by Commache's way!

I like useing epoxy thinned with alcohol for fuel proffing... I use it on the nose and engine bearers of my profile fun flys before I cover them.

I have been using some automotive restoration paint called POR, it stands for Paint Over Rust. It works good with gas models but I haven't tried it with glow fuel. It comes in black and grey. Its expensive and the can doesn't last forever..but if you are using it on vehicles and have some you don't want going bad..it is an alternative .

I have had good luck with the polyurethane paints, 3 coats and you are good to go. I have also used black luster coat.

Dru.

I have mixed Testors enamel into thinned epoxy with fine results as well.

Now that you mention it, I do recall people tinting epoxies in different ways.

If anyone wants really black (or white) tinted epoxy, buy a 1 oz bottle of TAP paste from Aircraft Spruce. As you mix the epoxy, add just a small dab of the pigment and you will get black black black epoxy! It's really cheap, and the stuff lasts for years (my bottle is at least 8 years old). [link=http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/epoxyPigments.php]Aircraft Spruce[/link]

To really fuel proof the firewall, I suggest this; Mix whichever epoxy you wish to use and brush or glob it over the bare wood. THEN take your "money-kote" heat gun and start blowing the fuel proof aera with fairly warm to hot air.

The epoxy will run GIN-THIN all over. Stop and brush around. Try this several times until you are satisfied with the job. The hot epoxy will soak into the wood, every little slit, crack, etc and you will wind up with a fine fuel-proofing. If you need to paint, don't use dope over epoxy. It will lift off as it shrinks so much. Poly urethane generally works fairly well.

Now, in all these years I never ever thought about painting first. You may be on to something here. I will try that as soon as I get a round-to-it! [8D]

Good luck.

'Color' it with a Sharpie brand marker!