paint/prep black metal window/door trim

[g36]

what suggestions do others have for type of paint, painting and prep of the black metal pieces around the front windshields and other window and door frames on the f32 and other trojans.

[Danny Bailey]

The only permanent solution I saw during my 36 years involved with maintenance of military aircraft was the transition from aluminum aircraft structures to carbon fiber composite structures. Aluminum in the presence of moisture and salt is going to corrode. All paints are somewhat porous. The moisture and salt go through the pores, cause the formation of aluminum oxide beneath the paint and push the paint off the metal. Paint may actually amplify the corrosion by keeping the corrosive agents trapped against the surface of the aluminum. My last boat had an un-painted aluminum windshield frame, and it had very little corrosion damage.
The method to repair surface corrosion on aircraft skins was to remove all the damage down to clean, shiny metal using sanders, flapper wheels, 'bright boy' polishing wheels, etc; scrubbing the area with scotchbrite, soap and water until water would not bead; then applying alodine to seal the surface and give the paint something to stick to. This type of repair may last 6 months, maybe longer.
I use rubber based latex paint for painting the trim on my F-36. It does a better job of keeping the moisture off the surface than hard paints. I wire brush the surface to remove all the oxide I can, wash it good with soap and water to remove the salt, dry the area, and then paint.

[g36]

thanks for the reply. luckily i am in fresh water and the boat has never been in anything but. so i dont have any corrosion just some paint that is flaking in areas and i would like to get it back nice and shiny.

[TADTOOMUCH]

My boat a 1978 Trojan F-32 was repainted top to bottom including the black trim with Imron paint. Very expensive and difficult process unless you can put the whole boat in a paint booth and controlled environment but it looks great and will last another 30 years.

[rossjo]

... I use rubber based latex paint for painting the trim on my F-36. It does a better job of keeping the moisture off the surface than hard paints. I wire brush the surface to remove all the oxide I can, wash it good with soap and water to remove the salt, dry the area, and then paint.

Interesting - what rubber based paint did you use?

[Dan Faith]

I purchased an F32 last year and I am looking to do the same thing this spring. I also have an airplane that I had repainted 11 years ago with Imron and it looks as good as the day it was painted. The key on all aluminum is prep. I will take it down to bare metal etch it with white vinigar (do not touch the surface after etching) Zinc chromate the surface then use a two part epoxy paint.

[TADTOOMUCH]

I'm a pilot as well, what kind of plane do you have? Single, twin?

[Dan Faith]

I have a single engine Bonanza. What do you fly?

[Danny Bailey]

Ross,
Any exterior latex house paint is rubber based.....the brand doesn't matter as long as it's a quality paint.