Starting the paint job

Last Saturday we flew our RV-12 to Summerville, SC to meet up with Jim and family for lunch and gave Jim a ride. Jessie wanted a ride also, but with the problems of the engine giving false indications and alarms going off, I did not feel good about taking her up and having to explain the horn blaring in her ear. We are getting a handle on the problem and will get it fixed hopefully after the paint job is complete. We started on the paint job on Monday and removed wings, rudder, canopy, flaperons and various other parts in preparation for the paint job. On Wednesday we did most of the etch and alodine treatment. This requires an application of an acid etch and then a rinse with water, then an application of alodine followed by a water rinse. This is then allowed to dry overnight before the primer can be sprayed on.


This shows the fuselage left tilted tail down overnight for draining any moisture out.


All the parts hanging in the paint booth, ready for primer and paint.


Don van den Berg, a JAARS member, appying primer. One wing is done and here he is spraying some small parts.


This is a primer/filler being applied to the fiberglass pieces.