Mark,

Dennis and I both are using the DBC base coats. We always wet sand the tape lines with 600 or 1000 grit. You have to be EXTREMELY carefull to make sure you don't sand with too heavy a hand.


DR

Guys, Thanks a bunch for all your advice. I have figured out how to successfully do the basecoat. I managed to do the fuse of the bearcat without any sags or runs. My main problem was having to put the clearcoat on too thick to get rid of the orange peel look and consequently getting consistent sags and runs plus it takes much longer to dry and I keep getting lots of insects in the clear. My plan is to do a test piece on some cardboard or maybee the old bearcat wing which I still have. When you say 200%, I take it to mean that if I was using 1oz of clear coat and activator, I would then mix 2oz of reducer to get 200%? Just trying to get my ratios straight as I dont have much experience with mixing the PPG line. Also, do you all reccomend sanding the base coat if a significant amount of time has passed since the application of the basecoat. If so, what grit do I use? Does it have to be completely wetsanded or do I just need to scuff it up some?
One last question I have is that when I bought the paint, I did not know that a flex agent was needed for painting areas that are flexible like the fabric covered control surfaces on the bearcat. What are the specifications of the flex agent i.e. manufacturer, compatability , mixing ration etc?
Thanks for all your help.
Evan Q.
PS Im using a medium sized HVLP gun with a 4 oz cup that has a nice 4" fan.

Evan,

I would lightly scuff the whole airplane WET with 600 grit. THe PPG guys say that if the basecoat has been sprayed for longer than 24 hours then the clear can delaminate. Remember that these guys are thinking about finishes on cars that are out in the weather all the time, they are also not taking into consideeration that our airplanes.....like it or not.... may not live as long as their paint does.

The ratio you quoted is right for the clearcoat. 1 oz of mixed clearcoat (clear and catalyst) to 2 oz of reducer.

Evan,

Time has always elapsed between base coat colors as well as base coat to clear coat. As David said, I always lightly wet sand the tape lines with 600-1000 grit. I also scuff the entire base coat with red scotch pad. I have never had a problem with paint adhesion using this procedure. I also have not had occasion to use the flex agent, so I cannot advise on that. You have your ratios figured correctly.

Let us know how it works out.

Dennis

David,

Why don't you quit sitting in front of that computer and go to work!

WORK !!!! What's that?????????????? I dropped that word for my vocabulary 11/02/2001
Dennis, maybe you should get back to work too.

Bob'o

The word "WORK" better still be in your vocabulary. As in you also need to get off of the computer and "WORK" on your airplane. You need to hurry up and get it finished so I can fly it.


Doug Arnold
Austin Gang

But Dennis.....I have to get myself into the groove before next week. I HAVE to be relaxed and rested up so I can fly like a big dog next weekend!

Besides that we are bidding a job today and I learned a long time ago that you do NOT send your price out until 10 minutes before bid time or every other jack leg around will know what it is. So......that means I get to goof off.....SO THERE! Get to work on your Bobcat!

DR

Guys, does anybody know the difference between the 2021 and the 2002 clearcoat?
Im about to the point of clearcoating the bearcat and I have a enough clearcoat but it is 2002. Will it work the same as the 2021 with reducing of 200%?
Thanks in advance
Evan Q.
PS> any of you austin guys going to bomber field in sept?