Epoxy primer arrived

Finally the P05 Strontium Chromate epoxy primer arrived (base, hardener and thinner) + the aluminium cleaner DERINOXALU. I will have to re-can the base because it is in a rather difficult to handle 5L can.

Priming

Purchased a net at Biltema and put in on the primer table. Heard from Van's, the new parts will be here in a couple of days.

More primer

The wash primer, WG 6650 from Monopol, turns out to be one layer of several. Got in contact with the factory and the procedure for airplanes is:

• Clean with acid solution and water
• Apply WG 6650 Wash primer, one thin layer (10-15 micrometer dry)
• Apply P 05 Strontium Chromate Epoxy primer
• Top cote(s)

On the inside P 05 Strontium Chromate Epoxy is enough (no need for the wash primer). Air France and Eurocopter use this method and these products. The wash primer is used for other applications also (cars, trucks, boats), but with different epoxy primers on top depending on the application.

But, my RV is not going to fly several hours a day, seven days a week, year after year, and it is not going to fly shuttle traffic to oil installations in the North Sea year after year. On the other hand, my airport extends out into the sea, and according to technicians working there, it is a very corrosive environment. Tomorrow I am going to hear about price and availability of P 05, will se how it goes.

Still waiting for the new parts, it has been very quite from Van's.

Set up the primer booth more properly with a separate compressed air line with pressure regulator and water removal, purchased at Biltema. Built a primer table (235X53X75), only lack the chicken net. If the P 05 Strontium Chromate Epoxy is going to be used I will also need some more substantial ventilation than door/window, at least a fan.

The WG 6650 wash primer contains Zinc Oxide and some phosphates of some kind.

Small problems

Did some mistakes on the front spar of the HS. Three of the holes connecting the spar and HS-410 were too close to the edge (1-2 mm max). Also two of the holes for the rib was drilled in the wrong positions resulting in edge problem. Although not neccesary according to more experienced people than me (including Van's), I decided to re-do the front spar. I am now waiting for new parts.

The priming problem has come back. It turns out that Zinc Chromate is not a legal substance anymore due to toxic reasons, and therefore is nowhere to get hold of. Right now etch primer from a local shop specializing in aluminium constructions is something to be investigated.

The storage room to be used for priming is painted white to get it as light as possible.

Tools arrived, more on primers

The tools from Averytools arrived today. These tools were efficiently and orderly packed, and the delivery went smooth, recommended!

Regarding primer, the epoxy option seems to be better and better. Stewart Systems uses Aeropicardie as an exclusive importer to Europe. Stewart Systems use a water based formulae, much less toxic than epoxy. An European importer seemed OK, but the prices will increase by at least 45% going through him compared with ordering directly from the USA. A quote for primers for the empennage only was 393 € ! I think that with 393 €, I can get enough epoxy primer for several RVs.

A very simple but hopefully functional drill press was bought at Biltema for 200 Kr (25€).