A poll on non-dope, water based, fuel proof products.

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

I have read several threads on different forums and one person will say that a product is fuel proof and the next person will say it isn't.  I am totally dizzy trying to figure it out so I have set up this poll to get at least a majority answer!  You will see the poll results after you vote and you can only vote once.  Have fun and hopefully this will settle the matter for me and others that must move away from dopes and other products that have heavy fumes, etc.

[kenneth cook]

     I'm not sure if its the cost or the availability of the Minwax products which people elect to use. I can comment on Nelson Hobby paints which are very durable and fuel proof. I've used these products for over 6 years now and I'm very satisified with them. Nelson paints are designed for the hobbyist and are available in all Monokote and Ultracote colors. They have virtually no smell and water clean up and with a little practice you can achieve a very nice finish. The primer is a 3 part epoxy system using alcohol as the thinner sands very nicely. I can't comment on the cost of the Minwax products but I can say you get a lot of material for your money with the Nelson paints. Ken

[RandySmith]

NONE of those are  fuel proof

[Dennis Moritz]

Ken's models and Dan Banjok's Nelson painted Foxberg keep shining and looking good. Their planes have been fittingly used and abused for years.

[Matt Colan]

I read up on the Nelson water based paints, and they claim that those paints are fuel resistant up to 50% nitro!!  What would you guys use as a clearcoat for that stuff?

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

I simply can not get paint mailed to me and even if I could, the cost would be prohibitive.  I am sure there are others that are in the same boat I am.  I need to use what I can get locally, or waite (perhaps months) to get to the big city and then to the only hobby shop which is on the far side of the city!  Minimum 2 hour drive.  If I can use a locally bought product, ie. Minwax, Varathane or Rustoleum....I'm going to use it!

[Randy Powell]

Interestingly, I have had two part polyurethane clear mailed to me. It's as or more fuel resistant that just about any paint you can name.

[don Burke]

I read up on the Nelson water based paints, and they claim that those paints are fuel resistant up to 50% nitro!!  What would you guys use as a clearcoat for that stuff?

I'd use the Nelson clear.  I've used the Nelson paints, they are fuel resistant if their "cross-linker" is used.  Water cleanup and thinning is neato!

[Bradley Walker]

NONE of those are  fuel proof

Correct.

[Andrew Borgogna]

Can't talk on the products listed, but I do know for a fact that Vista exterior water base house paint is fuel proof up to at least 10%.  I add the caveat because "fuel proof" is not a "yes" or "no" answer.  Rustoleum is fuel proof up to 15% but if you hit it with 25% nitro the paint will peel off like it was hit by paint remover.  I painted a 1/3 scale plane with the Vista paint and it stood up very well.  I recommend exterior latex paint because it is UV stabilized, interior is not.
Andy

[W.D. Roland]

The oil based Minwax is good up to about 10% nitro.

Slow to dry and somewhat heavy.

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

So can we say that by concensus...MINWAX POLYURETHANE is the "clear" winner?  I wished we had heard from a few more out there, but oh well.

[Bob Reeves]

Read the cans in the store. If it says it is alcohol safe after drying it will be somewhat fuel proof. Once went to Home Depot and bought a can of every clear urethane they had. Came home and did the tests, the ones that said they were alcohol resistant were good, the ones that didn't failed.