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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Don Jenkins on October 10, 2013, 06:38:41 AM

Title: Method of painting flaps and elevators
Post by: Don Jenkins on October 10, 2013, 06:38:41 AM

I am working on a Vector 40 and this is the first plane that I will not install the flaps and elevators until they are painted.  What method do you guys use to hold the flaps and elevators while spraying with primer/color/clear?  Any tips would be appreciated.

Don

Title: Re: Method of painting flaps and elevators
Post by: Paul Wood on October 10, 2013, 07:50:05 AM

Don,

I use a piece of 2X4 to hold each part to be painted.  A separate piece for each part.  I drill holes in the 2X4 spaced to match the hinge holes in the part. (I use Robart hinges).  I use pieces of coat hanger wire about 8 inches long inserted into the holes in the 2X4 and into the hinge holes in the part.  You can move each assembly to and from the paint table to keep overspray from getting on other parts.  If you use slot type hinges, you can use thin pieces of plywood or sheet metal taped to the edges of the 2X4 and inserted into the hinges slots.  Hope this makes sense.  Easier to do than to explain.

Paul

Title: Re: Method of painting flaps and elevators
Post by: MarcusCordeiro on October 10, 2013, 09:50:23 AM

Great advice Paul.
i can use it!!

Marcus

Title: Re: Method of painting flaps and elevators
Post by: John Christensen on October 10, 2013, 11:46:19 AM

I draw a straight line on a piece of wood and mark the center of the hinge slots on the line. Old #11 blades work just fine to hold a flap or elevator. Just pound in the #11 blades at the spots marked for the hinge slots making sure that the blades are parallel to each other. Just tap the blades, they will break if hit too hard. Once done it is easy to remove the blades.

Title: Re: Method of painting flaps and elevators
Post by: Tim Wescott on October 10, 2013, 12:32:47 PM

I do what Paul and John do, but using strips of tin can.  If you use something lighter than a 2x4 make sure it doesn't get blown over when you spray.

Title: Re: Method of painting flaps and elevators
Post by: Allan Perret on October 10, 2013, 01:19:51 PM

you can find these by doing "Advanced Search" in the Paint & Finishing section for "parts holder"


http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=18607.0


http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=28736.0


http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=16941.0

Title: Re: Method of painting flaps and elevators
Post by: Don Jenkins on October 11, 2013, 06:33:34 AM

Thank you gentlemen for outstanding tips!!

Don

Title: Re: Method of painting flaps and elevators
Post by: RknRusty on November 11, 2013, 08:03:14 PM

Quote from: Don Jenkins on October 11, 2013, 06:33:34 AM

Thank you gentlemen for outstanding tips!!

Don

Plus 1 on that. I used the exacto blade in the hinge slot method yesterday for spraying primer on my flaps. Thanks for the idea. I used to try and hang it from a wire and chase it around with the spray can. This works much better and I didn't paint my left hand.

Rusty