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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: 55chevr on March 08, 2014, 09:34:15 AM

Title: Starfire
Post by: 55chevr on March 08, 2014, 09:34:15 AM

I am finishing an old project Starfire that was built from plans and never completed.  The plane was originally built for a 4 stroke.  I converted it to electric with a Cobra motor I had.  I thought it would be a good idea to add air inlets for cooling.  Fortunately, Randy Smith has the carbon fiber landing gear and wheel pants for the Starfire which I was able to get from him.  Just have some concerns about balance with the electric conversion. Will work that out as I get every put together.

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: Avaiojet on March 08, 2014, 09:58:50 AM

Chev,

You're getting busy. Nice to see that!

I don't know what the Starfire looks like, but nice scoops.

Got a photo of a finished Starfire?

Charles

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: 55chevr on March 30, 2014, 03:02:20 PM

A lot of progress on the Starfire.   Nitrate dope , carbon fiber, sanding sealer.  A lot of sanding.  I got the correct carbon fiber gear from Randy Smith.  Since this is electric, it is ready to fly as is.  If the weather ever gets good enough to fly.

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: Avaiojet on March 30, 2014, 03:12:38 PM

Chev,

Shapping up!

Sanding is a killer but it's worth it.

Looks good!

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: 55chevr on April 19, 2014, 01:36:12 PM

I had to build a paint stand to continue.   Starfire is in color.  Needs clear coat and some sanding/polishing.

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: 55chevr on April 19, 2014, 01:40:33 PM

I put clear coat on the flaps and elevators on Wednesday.  Using Clear Diamond Finish.  3 days late and still not hard.  It will allow finger prints  to press into finish.  Just how long will it take before it can be handled?

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: EddyR on April 19, 2014, 05:15:07 PM

What did you thin it with. Mine dries in 6 hours y1

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: 55chevr on April 19, 2014, 06:39:58 PM

I used acetone ... I now see where xylene is recommended.  It is hardening slowly.  I think that the acetone is slowing the process.  I may just lightly top coat with xylene thinned clear. Give it another day or so as it is hardening

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: EddyR on April 22, 2014, 06:01:40 AM

I used DulaColor lacquer thinner. $15 gallon at auto parts stores. I use it foe all dope also.
Ed y1

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: 55chevr on April 22, 2014, 02:41:31 PM

Used Xylene on the bottom coat and it hardened in a couple of hours.  Ran like all hell thinned 60/40. I will try 70/30 tomorrow.  I will sand the runs down and top coat.  The KBS is a strong finish.

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: Avaiojet on April 23, 2014, 01:58:23 PM

In all the years I've been painting, the only thing I ever thinned with acetone was resin.  n~

Your model is shaping up!

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: Dennis Toth on April 23, 2014, 04:51:15 PM

I used the KSB diamond clear on the nose and some film repair areas on my YakYak bipe, applied with the foam brush (that they included in the trim kit $19.50). The humidity was in the mid 60% and temp around 72F. It worked just like Mike G said it would, leveled no brush marks. I did not thin, took about two days to cure out hard. The test will be in the flying to see how it holds up to 7% fuel. You might take a heat gun and just warm the surface a bit to kick it off.

Best,       Dennis

Title: Re: Starfire
Post by: 55chevr on April 23, 2014, 05:36:50 PM

The first KBS coat did solidify ... I boosted the garage heat to 75* for a day and it set up right.   I applied second coat to bottom surfaces and got the desired hardening using Xylene.   I did a bit of touch up on a flap and got alligator skin ... frustrating stuff to use but I will figure it out.  I will try brushing with no thinner next.