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Pete's RV-8 Web Site
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Date: 5-31-2009
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Number of Hours: 0.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Primer - Part 1
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One of the most frustrating decisions I had to make on my RV-8 project was in regards to priming of the interior airframe components. After reading Van's comments on the subject, I began researching builder sites on the web and quickly determined that there are as many opinions as builders and about as many different processes and materials. The solutions range from very little priming to extreme measures beginning with scotchbrite treatment, washing, alodine baths and final priming. There are numerous choices lying between these extremes and all kinds of materials being used including two-part epoxies, self-etching primers, water based or water borne materials, rattle can alternatives, etc.
In any event, I have made the decision to limit the priming of interior airframe components. Here is how I came to my decision. First, the RV-8 must only last for my personal flying lifetime. Since none of my sons are aviators (the aircraft won't be handed down) so given my current age, the bird must last about 20-25 years (positive thinking here!). The aircraft will not be in a salt air or overly damp environment and will be hangared. The 1977 Piper Archer currently owned is largely unprimed inside and has no significant corrosion to date. I have had the opportunity to see unprimed interior components of a few 1930-1940 warbirds and they have withstood the ravages of time, weather, critters and people fairly well.
My priming to date has been limited to components specifically called out for priming such as the horizontal rear spar reinforcement bars, horizontal forward spar splice angles, etc. I prime any and all non-alclad components unless already powder coated and any components that may have been scratched during manufacturing or the preparation and assembly process. I plan to prime any low points in the airframe where water might accumulate. Well, that's my current philosophy and I am sticking to it... unless I change my mind.
Cont'd
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Empennage Components
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