[Dutkoski]

Yep, and mine was black

[DarthAnal]

Hello, John.

I was rummaging around my home office this afternoon, and found my stash of Arrow books, notably the Arrowheads book on the Arrow. Page 176 has views of the mains arrangement as well as the nose gear. Not sure if have a copy of the book.

If you don't, I can get a scan taken from my copy and send it to you.

[Dutkoski]

Well, after pretty much recovering from the cancer and radiation treatments and feeling better all the time, two weeks ago I came down with a really good case of shingles. The rash went from the center of my chest, under my arm and across my back. Bloody amazing, huh. So, slowly recovering from that too.

Anyway, finally got the worktable cleared off and this afternoon, managed to apply all the .75 mm wide panel tape on the left wing plug.

After supper, applied the first of two coats of DuraTec Sanding Primer. Later tonight, the second coat will be applied and I'll let that cure overnight. Tomorrow, the top surface will have the primer applied.

So, next week, the surfaces will be wet sanded too 320 grit finish.

[HAL9KPCM]

If it wasn't for bad luck, you would have no luck at all eh? Hopefully that's the last of the woes. Nice to see you back at it again.

[DarthAnal]

My wife went through a bout of shingles when we were going to a couples conference. Not a good weekend for her.

Take time for yourself and heal up fully. The trick is to keep from going stir-crazy.

Me? Working from home , getting some kits for building later, and not finding time to work on the various project in the basement.

[Dutkoski]

The two coats of sanding primer cured nicely, so started the fun task of fine sanding the surface to reveal the panel line tape. The first detail turned out nice with crisp panel lines once the chart tape was pealed away.
You can see the faint chart tape below the revealed panel. You must be very careful at this stage not to sand the tape away, outherwise, you have to re-apply the tape and re-prime the area.
I start sanding with 180 or 220 grit dry sanding, then once the chart tape is removed, a final light sanding with 320 wet sanding. Then a light buffing to really smooth out the surface.

[Dutkoski]

Wow, April 30th was the last time I worked on this, time certainly slips by when other planes, house projects, making hundreds of sanding tools, two large sheds needed building and oh yes, this bloody pandemic. Well, I hope everyone is behaving themselves and are staying healthy.

So, on Tuesday, I put the right wing master plug on the work table with the intention of applying a second coat of sanding primer. Unfortunately, the Duratec primer had gone bad, the 1/2 quart was rock solid. So, on Wednesday, out to Composites Canada and picked up a fresh can. Applied a coat to both sides. On Thursday evening, the wet sanding started, messy as always, but at least, no dust.

So, Thursday and Friday, I got the top surface of the wing sanded to 320 grit and the panel line tape removed. The results were very good, nice crisp panel lines and no chipping.

This afternoon, I did the inboard portion of the lower wing surface. Took only three hours and one can of good European beer ( for elbow lubrication ) to get this section finished. This evening, I’ll get the outer section done.

For those curious, the process is pretty simple, yet labour intensive. After the primer has cured hard, you start with 180 grit wet sand paper using a block sander. You sand down the surface until the panel line tape begins to show. Then, you switch to 220 grit wet sand paper and repeat the sanding to expose the top surface of the panel tape. When the whole panel line is exposed, use a razor knife to lift the tape and gently pull the tape away. Finally, block sand the entire surface to 320 grit.
If you are going to apply a finish to the product, you would again, wet sand the surface to 400 grit and then 600 grit. Afterwards, buffing with compound to whatever high gloss finish you want in the mould.
Since the Arrow model will be painted afterwards, 320 grit will be sufficent.

[cicopo]

Nice to see you back at it & thanks for explaining the prime / sand / panel line process.

[RC_MAN]

I agree

[Myzee]

Agree X 2