I like latex for the simplicity and no toxic chemicals on application. Latex can provide a fairly good finish using rolling techniques. The finish can rival a good polytone finish but it would be tough to get a finish similar to a professional aerothane finish using my method.
I start applying the fabric using Stewart systems contact cement. There are a lot of youtube videos on this so I don’t think further explanation is necessary. ASAP (aircraft sales and parts) used to supply 3M contact cement with their application process and as far as I can tell it is the same product.
Once the fabric is applied as needed and shrunk to the proper temperature then it is time to apply paint. I start with Kilz primer thinned with blue windshield washer fluid. The thinning allows the primer to soak through the fabric for a good bond. I dry sand between coats using a 400 to 600 sandpaper. This gives the smoothest base possible for your final applications.
(Kilz primer is water based and used to cover smoke damage after a fire. It is a great sealer and covers the blue glue well. I believe Zensor 123 is a similar product but I have not used it.)
The latex (exterior house paint) is then applied using a small closed cell white 4inch roller. The paint is again thinned about 20% with blue windshield washer fluid. I find that it is best to apply the paint with the surface flat because at this thinning it is possible to get runs if you are not careful. A light sanding between coats keeps the finish as smooth as possible. Again please remember you are not going to get a show grade finish but you should be able to obtain a very good finish with very little bumps (orange peal) if you are careful. I have seen the finish come up with fewer imperfections than a poor polyfibre finish.
Leave the finish cure for a couple of weeks and you can use a good wax to seal.
One site recommended using a clear aerothane over the latex to give a great shine. DO NOT DO IT. I tried some aerothane on the gearlegs and ended up with some major cracking in less than 6months. Without the clear coat the plane looks like the day I rolled it out of my garage.
You will note the plane has a grey coat on it. I used some black paint in the Kilz to give it a bit of a filler look. I do not know if this makes any difference to the UV protection. In terms of UV protection Latex has been shown to provide good protection on its own in various tests. I recently read that the protection is only to prevent the paint from chalking and it made me stop and think for a second. I guess the final proof will be in 5 to 10 years with a punch tester. My plane was a factory built plane from the SkyStar era and the polyspray step was left out of the finishing process. It spent a lot of it’s life as a ramp plane and the fabric lasted about 10 years. I do not know when it became unsafe to fly but I have posted videos of how the fabric would rip easily if pulled.
I have seen Latex finishes where the application was with a regular roller and the finish was horrid. It looked like a stipple ceiling. Certainly the type of finish to give latex a bad name.
Types of paint. The Buzzard used Behr exterior semi gloss and I am quite happy with the finish. I find the Red to be a little nicer than the white and I am not sure if I thinned one better than the other, or if the pigment gave a better finish. I guess that is why this is experimental.
I was in Lowes and they have a product called Valspar Semi Gloss. They have painted a rubber ball and use it to demonstrate the holing power and flexibility of the product. They have also painted some siding with this product and after 5years of people scratching it with keys and coins it is still holding up quite well.
I have decided that this is the product I will be using on the Model IV.
This brings up another interesting point. Is Latex appropriate for your project? It you are putting together a simple low cost plane then latex may be the answer, but if you are looking at doing a show stopper with glass panel and all then you may want to go with an approved finish. Also I am sure the resale of latex will be much less than an approved finish but I don’t plan on selling this plane anytime soon.
Latex can be done in my attached garage as could Stewarts but not polyFibre.
If I had the room to spray latex I am sure I could get an even better result but the white rollers do provide a fairly good finish.
One last thought, when someone asks you the type of finish, use the term “an experimental water based finish” Latex has a bad rap and you will note this to be true as we listen the naysayers chime in on this thread.
Thanks, Norm. It looks good! I worked my way through college in a cancer research lab, so you can imagine how I feel about messing with nasty solvents!
Larry
Your welcome. I did try some silver paint that was a latex. It was a Martha Stewart decorator paint and like Marta did not play well with others. It came out ok but I would not recommend it. This new Valspar looks very good and as I get some on the Fox I will post some photos. BTW this is the finished Buzzard.
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Re: latex paint
