Author Topic: Refinishing Crosswinds II (Read 10838 times)

Will Hinton · « **on:** October 22, 2010, 01:04:19 PM »

Hey All,
When the building season creeps up on us here in NW Ohio, I usually wonder what new ship to build. However, the last two winters have seen me lose interest in building a new stunter for various reasons. I got involved in a scale ship - hard to switch to that, I must admit, and the last stunt ship, my Ephesian twin boomer, flies okay but pulls too hard for my scrawny wrist and I simply can't square it easily enough in spite of trying to trim most of the tension out of it. (Anyone want a super cheap twin boomer with 750 squares?)
I have two great flying ships, my two Crosswinds, one on a PA65 and the other a PA75, so why build a new stunt ship anyway? Besides, I've only burned four gallons in the last two seasons, so why build at all!?
Well, I need to rebuild the fire and shuck this crazy schedule that has not allowed me the flying time and one incentive to do that will be a different ship. But what?
GOT THE ANSWER! I'll refinish the number two Crosswinds. The $$kote job is the worst I ever did and it's a few hundred years old, or so - so refinish it is the answer. After all, it is already a proven flier, has the line tension I like, which is light but steady all over the circle, and there won't be the tendency to want to finish it fast.
I removed the 75 and pipe and weighed it sans LG and cowl and it weighs 40 oz. See pictures one and two.
Then I stripped the $$kote and sanded on the fuse until it is level finished with the grain still filled. Why remove it all and then put it back on? (You'll tell me I'll save weight if I do that, but I really wonder at all that theory. I seriously don't think it will cost me more than half an ounce.
The plane as you see it in pictures three and four is 34 oz.
I plan on a white base with a patriotic scheme, ala Derick's and Scott Condon's airplanes. They both are responsible for inspiring me to this. I've taken the canopy and rudder off as I never really liked the outlines anyway - plan on a clear canopy with pilot's and totally new rudder outline.
I'll be interested to see how close to the 63 oz final weight of the original plane I can come with this.
I'll keep you posted of the progress.
Blessings,
Will
Okay, it tells me the file is too large, so I'll post pictures in a new post.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2010, 01:06:59 PM »

Picture one here is another of the old finish, the rest in this one is the stripped down version.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2010, 01:12:02 PM »

One more

john e. holliday · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2010, 04:57:09 PM »

Looks like a lot of work, but, it beats building a whole new airplane. Keep us posted. Now when is book four going to be started with the new families in the not so wild west?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2010, 12:14:20 AM »

I don't know. I've always found refinishing a plane as much work as building the thing from scratch. But Will makes a good point. He knows this one is a good flier.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2010, 01:59:03 PM »

Hi Randy,
I'm sure what you've found is typical, but we have to remember - your planes start out gorgeous so need more work to undo the original finish. Mine are the ones the rest of the pilots make me set them out away from the pits so they don't have to look at them!

I plan to do a good finish this time, mainly so Roger Wildman will stop hollering at me!
Will

john e. holliday · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2010, 07:57:09 AM »

Hey Will, tell Roger to stuff a sock in it.

I have seen pics of your planes and there is no room behind the brush for them. Mine are there already.

Allen Goff · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2010, 08:13:18 AM »

Will, when we have our annual get-together this winter you can show it off to Roger, hum? Look'en good.
By the way, the Saito gas 4 stroke for the scale ship is a great find, I'm loven it.

blessings

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2010, 08:33:42 AM »

Will,
What are you using to refinish?...Monokote, Ultracote, etc.

Good thread!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2010, 04:06:10 PM »

Crist - and others, I'll Monokote the flying surfaces and paint the fuse. This is my most successful approach yet for fuel proof and light. I plan to go with my old tried and true Krylon colors airbrushed on the fuse, using Monokote trim sheets for the trim colors everywhere, then cover the fuse with Nason two-part automotive clear. Depending on the weight at that time, I may attempt a clear coat on the wings just to better secure the trim sheet trim strips. I've found that, even after double sealing the edges, they start to release after several hundred flights, especially around the leading edges, etc. The jury is still out on that.
As soon as my new trim sealing iron arrives I'm ready to Monokote the trailing edges of the wings and stab as well as the LE for the flaps and elevators. When that's done, I'll post some pics of the process. Then I plan to seal the hinge lines with Monokote, as I've done in the past. The main difference here will be that the seals are UNDER the main wing and stab coverings.
I'm trying to do this without removing the hinges, so this should be interesting.
Thanks, all, for the interest. More to come.

Mike McHenry · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2010, 07:44:34 PM »

Will,
Looking forward to seeing the finished product. It will definetly be worth the effort if you can keep the weight the same or better. The plane flies good enough to be worth the effort. Also, finished book 3. Really enjoyed the series, too bad it came to an end! Look forward to seeing you soon!
Mike

John Sunderland · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2010, 10:02:24 PM »

WILL! I have your Jim Lee syringe....sorry guy. Send me your addy, I will mail it. Hiya Mikey!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2010, 08:20:21 PM »

Mike, thanks much, but I'm thinking the series will likely continue after I finish the current work - there's already a first chapter going through my pea-brain, so.......?? I don't think I'm capable of leaving these characters now after much thought.
Whatca building this season?
Will

john e. holliday · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2010, 03:34:03 PM »

Quote from: Mike McHenry on October 25, 2010, 07:44:34 PM

Will,
Looking forward to seeing the finished product. It will definetly be worth the effort if you can keep the weight the same or better. The plane flies good enough to be worth the effort. Also, finished book 3. Really enjoyed the series, too bad it came to an end! Look forward to seeing you soon!
Mike

How can it come to an end when there are two new families and a new railroad.

Mike McHenry · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2010, 05:45:19 AM »

Hiya John! Building anything new for next season?

Will, haven't had much time to work on anything. I am trying to finish a Zero profile and then move on to a new classic. Between my son having to have 2 surgeries on his legs and my daughter's activities, building time is pretty scarce.

Glad you are thinking about continuing the series! Looking forward to seeing where you go with it.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2010, 06:31:15 AM »

Wow Mike, the leg thing is really working on that young man, huh? I'll be much in prayer for the success of the surgeries! He's awfully young to have to go through that. I know you'll take good care of him, though, so keep us posted on his progress.
Blessings,
Will

Mike McHenry · « **Reply #16 on:** October 29, 2010, 04:50:16 AM »

Thanks for the prayers Will. Thankfully the procedures aren't that invasive, but any surdery is still surgery. The plan is to have him ready to play in the spring, but if not, he should be ready to condition during summer for soccer and practice kicking for football. I will keep you posted. His first surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, unless they pull a huge upset tonight in the sectional football game, then we reschedule. So who knows???

Allen Goff · « **Reply #17 on:** October 29, 2010, 07:22:27 PM »

I AM GOING TO CHECK ON THE FOOTBALL SCORES TONIGHT, UPSETS HAPPEN, THAT'S WHY WE PLAY THE GAME HUM?
WE'LL BE PRAYING FOR HIM ALSO. BY SOME CHANCE IS THE SCHELBORN CLINIC DOING THE SURGERY? kEEP US INFORMED.

BLESSINGS.
ALLEN

Mike McHenry · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2010, 07:22:55 AM »

Thanks Allen,

Well, the upset happened, 24-21. He contributed a 32yd FG and 3 xtra points. So at least one more week of football. Now on to the rechedule process. We are having Methodist Sports Medicine take care of him. We as a family have has real good success with this group, plus his doc is a specialist with his issues.

Take care,
Mike

John Sunderland · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2010, 08:53:37 PM »

Quote from: Mike McHenry on October 28, 2010, 05:45:19 AM

Hiya John! Building anything new for next season?

Will, haven't had much time to work on anything. I am trying to finish a Zero profile and then move on to a new classic. Between my son having to have 2 surgeries on his legs and my daughter's activities, building time is pretty scarce.

Glad you are thinking about continuing the series! Looking forward to seeing where you go with it.

Yup....the secret weapon!

gearing up the shop right now.

Mike McHenry · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2010, 11:19:47 AM »

Let's see....open top, SS 396 or 454? Or are we changing models???

Will Hinton · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2010, 11:53:35 AM »

It just may be that it's so secret even John doesn't know the full story yet!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #22 on:** November 03, 2010, 08:50:28 AM »

As I plan out my color scheme I have questions regarding spraying two-part auto clear over Monokote. I plan to use some self made decals I just finished printing out on the wings, and I don't trust them to stay without a coating of some kind over them.
Has anyone sprayed over $$kote before, and if so, how did it last? I'm not crazy about the weight possibilities, but haven't made up my mind yet as to whether I'll use these or not. I hope for at least another 500 flights on this airframe, so whatever I do has to hold up.
Thanks guys,
Will

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #23 on:** November 03, 2010, 10:44:47 AM »

Quote from: Will Hinton on November 03, 2010, 08:50:28 AM

As I plan out my color scheme I have questions regarding spraying two-part auto clear over Monokote. I plan to use some self made decals I just finished printing out on the wings, and I don't trust them to stay without a coating of some kind over them.
Has anyone sprayed over $$kote before, and if so, how did it last? I'm not crazy about the weight possibilities, but haven't made up my mind yet as to whether I'll use these or not. I hope for at least another 500 flights on this airframe, so whatever I do has to hold up.
Thanks guys,
Will

Contact Allen Brickhaus.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #24 on:** November 11, 2010, 06:11:11 PM »

Bet you guys thought I'd burned the project, huh? Life has been a zoo here, but I finally got back to the project - have the fuse' ready for blocking coat and the horizontal empenage MonoKoted and the hinge-line sealed with $$kote.
I finally, after all these years of using iron on coverings, bought a trim seal iron and I love it. Where has my head been? DON'T ANSWER THAT!!!!
I also have the new rudder built & covered, I like the shape a whole bunch better. Truth be told, I never did like the other rudder shape after I built the second Crosswind! I won't bother attaching it until I'm done covering. It's late, so I'll approach the wings tomorrow.
Allen B got back to me concerning the part about spraying clear coats on $$Kote, so it looks like a go for that part of the finish. Great scott I hate the thought of the weight, but if I use the trim I want, it has to happen. I doubt if my 62 ounce previous weight will be met, but we'll see. I took a quarter ounce off the cowling by stripping it, land-o-goshen, how did I get THAT much finish on a little cowling?!?!

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #25 on:** November 11, 2010, 08:45:17 PM »

Hey Will, you could always go electric and forget about the clear coat!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2010, 09:12:04 AM »

Quote from: Crist Rigotti on November 11, 2010, 08:45:17 PM

Hey Will, you could always go electric and forget about the clear coat!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #27 on:** November 12, 2010, 10:41:09 AM »

Quote from: Will Hinton on November 12, 2010, 09:12:04 AM

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

LOL!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2010, 02:21:54 PM »

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2010, 03:59:32 PM »

Have a good one Will.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #30 on:** November 16, 2010, 01:20:02 PM »

I now have the $$Kote on, am trying to decide what to use for fillets, my standard Sig Epoxylite or micro-balloons and epoxy. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Doing the hinge lines went really well, and that was an area I was sort of dreading. Turned out to not be a problem at all with the trim sealing iron.
I'll get some pics and weights posted soon, been busy with speaking engagements with the holidays getting closer.
Will

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #31 on:** November 21, 2010, 07:32:35 AM »

Keep chugging along Will, Hope to re-join you & the rest of the crew on the field next summer

Will Hinton · « **Reply #32 on:** November 21, 2010, 03:25:18 PM »

Thanks Denny,
I sure hope you do, we missed ya this year! I'm about ready for blocking coat on the fuse'. I might even have one day home this week to work on it!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #33 on:** December 02, 2010, 11:20:26 AM »

I'm starting to get a little more time at home now, so should be able to get more done. That is, if I quit doing stupid things to it! I had to remove the canopy this AM because I "somehow" applied a large blurb of RC56 that I missed seeing. It was really ugly showing up on the inside of the canopy for about an inch! I'm not a perfectionist, but that had to go! It's re-applied now, waiting for the RC56 to cure out so I can put the Epoxylite rim around it.
After that, I will paint the rim white and then start the trim scheme. It ain't gonna be front row by any means, but it sure looks better than before. (At least at this point.)

Randy Powell · « **Reply #34 on:** December 02, 2010, 12:22:04 PM »

Pictures?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #35 on:** December 02, 2010, 04:17:22 PM »

Shortly. Gotta finish spraying the fillet around the canopy after it cures first, then I'll shoot some. Probably tomorrow.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #36 on:** December 05, 2010, 06:03:09 PM »

Well, "tomorrow" took longer to get here than I figured on, but here's the ship ready for trim. Maybe I should just leave it this way and rename it Casper?
I have to send one picture per reply as my files are way too big for some reason. maybe because I used Photoshop to correct the lighting?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #37 on:** December 05, 2010, 06:05:08 PM »

Cockpit - my old Olympus doesn't do such a good job on details, but there are instruments in there.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #38 on:** December 05, 2010, 06:06:49 PM »

And finally the right front quarter view.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #39 on:** December 05, 2010, 07:17:30 PM »

That is looking great. When you get done can I send you a couple of mine for finishing.

OOps, forgot about the appearance points, wouldn't get them if you did that for me.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #40 on:** December 05, 2010, 08:04:16 PM »

Thanks Doc. Problem is, if you send me a ship, I have a zillion other projects ahead of yours! (Finish the scale Tri-Pacer, semi-scale Pawnee, a guitar or twelve, etc.) Oh, and another book or so!
You get the picture.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #41 on:** December 05, 2010, 09:43:16 PM »

Looks good Will, keep going!

Mike McHenry · « **Reply #42 on:** December 06, 2010, 07:49:40 AM »

I like the changes!! Looking forward to seeing it with color.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #43 on:** December 10, 2010, 12:06:04 PM »

Ooooookay; here it is in color, ready for some repairs to the white and then clear where needed for the decals and fuse'. This will be one picture per reply. I love the Monokote trim sheets, they allow me to be as creative or non-creative as I like without the possibility of pulling the substrate off with masking tape.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #44 on:** December 10, 2010, 12:07:47 PM »

Next.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #45 on:** December 10, 2010, 12:10:11 PM »

And again.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #46 on:** December 10, 2010, 12:12:25 PM »

Sigh...

Will Hinton · « **Reply #47 on:** December 10, 2010, 12:14:04 PM »

The last for this point.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #48 on:** December 10, 2010, 12:23:31 PM »

Well, it's certainly patriotic. How much weight did you save?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #49 on:** December 10, 2010, 02:04:01 PM »

Not sure yet, Randy, I neglected to weigh it before breaking out the tape to get it ready for clear - hopefully tomorrow. I'll weigh it as soon as I take the tape off. I love your positive attitude in asking how much weight I SAVED! (I sure hope you're right, but it was actually fairly light for a TP to begin with.)