Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> RV10-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

MauleDriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:40 am Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

As I prepare to seal up the baggage area floor, I keep looking at the 

steps and trying to figure out the best way to handle prepping them 

before permanently installing them.  As far as installation, my current 

plan is to drill small guide holes in the fuselage skin and the baggage 

floor so that if I ever have to remove the step, I can drill holes to 

access the bolts.  I decided against installing access hatches in the 

baggage floor.



I've seen the 'perfectly good airplane' treatment with nickel plating 

and powder coating as I recall.  Very nice but I wonder if how much was 

powder coated and how it still fit in the hole if it was entirely 

coated.  Vans just has you mount it and presumably paint it with the 

fuselage.  I worry about the steel on steel contact in light of exposure 

to moisture and a light, scratched coat of primer.  I worry about the 

interior where it should stay dry but  any moisture would be trapped.



Any thoughts on corrosion proofing and paint appreciated.



Bill Watson

40605

Eric_Kallio

Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 149
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:57 am Post subject: Re: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

Bill, I had the same concern with mine, especially in the humidity of southern Louisiana. I prepped my steps with sand paper starting very course and finishing with somewhere around a 100 grit. Then I primed the steps and let them set for a day or 2 to get a good cure time. When I went to install them I touched up the primer before securing them. For the inside I sanded as far as I could reach and then  poured primer in to the end and slowly spun it until the interior was primed. Perhaps this was a bit overboard but I really worry about corrosion down here and have primed everything. As I am not too far ahead of you I have no feedback to provide you for effectiveness of my method, but I am confident. Hope this helps.



Eric Kallio

40518 Fuel system

CJohnston(at)popsound.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:43 am Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

Hey there - 



I actually had the steps zinc coated, then powdercoated.  The

powdercoating guys said that the zinc coating does well to prevent

corrosion, and also helps the powdercoating to stick.  The zinc coating

is over the whole part, and the powdercoating is only done to the part

that hangs in the breeze.  I had them mask off the tube that slides into

the fuse.  The zinc coating didn't add any (perceivable) thickness, and

didn't hamper the install of the step.  Worked pretty well.  time will

tell!



cj

#40410

airplaning

www.perfectlygoodairplane.net

--

rnewman(at)lutron.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:55 am Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

Bill,   I just recently installed my steps and was on verge of posting

some information regarding these.     I will have photos to share

tomorrow.



I decided I was not satisfied with the use of a 3/16" bolt thru the

hollow tube as the means of securing the step,  it seemes that over time

the bolt hole will ellongate and there will be movement of the step.   

The fundamental issue seemed to me that the hollow tube and support

structure do not actually provide any real clamping force to prevent

tube rotation.   ( as you torque the bolt the tube/ weldment will just

deform)

    Therefore,   what I decided to do was make a solid bushing to press

into the tube leg that supports the tube wall where the bolt passes

thru.      I turned a set of bushings out of 1"  x 1.5" aluminum stock. 

  I turned the diameter to match the interior diameter of the step tube

and drilled a 1/4" clearance hole for the bolt to pass thru.    Now the

bolt torque has a solid structure to actually provide clamping force on

the weldment/tube combination.       

     I'll post pictures tomorrow.



Now as for corrision proofing,   I've elected to have my steps chrome

plated.   I had this done up to the point where the tube passes thru the

weldment.    From there on I painted the steel tubes with the same epoxy

primer I've used on the rest of the airplane.  ( Deft   44g-11).



Bob Newman

TCW Technologies

scottmschmidt(at)yahoo.co
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:52 am Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

What I did for the step was to simply cut access holes in my baggage compartment so I could take the steps on and off.  I just manufactured a simple cover with nutplates.  Then you don't have to worry about the step right now.  You can do this at anytime as well.  The carpet kit covers this area and you never even know.  

Plus, when I take the plane to Reno I can remove the steps and hope for 200 knots more speed to compete with the NXT's.  



I had my steps ceramic coated when I did my exhaust.  They aren't real shiny but it has really held up nicely. They informed me that the ceramic coating had a tensile strength of 30ksi which should prevent any cracking as they bend when people get on and off them. 



http://www.scottandranae.smugmug.com/gallery/400885/1/15988904/Medium



Scott Schmidt



---

indigoonlatigo(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:34 am Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

Scott,

  

 Have you tried to put the bold in the receiver when the side wall panels are on. I can't remember, but I think the bolt was too long to fit without either making an additional hole in the floor(Behind those side panels) or also having the side panels removable with screws and nutplates.

  

 John G. 409

 [quote]  Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:49:07 -0800

From: scottmschmidt(at)yahoo.com

Subject: Re: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com



   .ExternalClass DIV {;}    What I did for the step was to simply cut access holes in my baggage compartment so I could take the steps on and off.  I just manufactured a simple cover with nutplates.  Then you don't have to worry about the step right now.  You can do this at anytime as well.  The carpet kit covers this area and you never even know.  

Plus, when I take the plane to Reno I can remove the steps and hope for 200 knots more speed to compete with the NXT's.  



I had my steps ceramic coated when I did my exhaust.  They aren't real shiny but it has really held up nicely. They informed me that the ceramic coating had a tensile strength of 30ksi which should prevent any cracking as they bend when people get on and off them. 



http://www.scottandranae.smugmug.com/gallery/400885/1/15988904/Medium



Scott Schmidt



 



 ---

scottmschmidt(at)yahoo.co
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:19 am Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

I have no issues taking the bolt on and off through the one access hole shown in the picture.  I don't have any additional holes.  It is hard to remember but the bolt I believe goes from the top down.  It is not something I want to do alot, but I could have both steps off in 20 minutes I would guess.  

 

Scott Schmidt

N104XP

---

drfred(at)suddenlinkmail.
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:39 am Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

I had mine chromed.  Looks good.  I was worried about the fit into the 

sleeve after the chrome was put on, but it slid right in.  I did fill 

the inside of the step with primer.  After I rinsed out all the rust and 

debris from the chrome plating job.  Cost about $150. 



Dr Fred

40515.

MauleDriver wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 As I prepare to seal up the baggage area floor, I keep looking at the 

 steps and trying to figure out the best way to handle prepping them 

 before permanently installing them.  As far as installation, my 

 current plan is to drill small guide holes in the fuselage skin and 

 the baggage floor so that if I ever have to remove the step, I can 

 drill holes to access the bolts.  I decided against installing access 

 hatches in the baggage floor.



 I've seen the 'perfectly good airplane' treatment with nickel plating 

 and powder coating as I recall.  Very nice but I wonder if how much 

 was powder coated and how it still fit in the hole if it was entirely 

 coated.  Vans just has you mount it and presumably paint it with the 

 fuselage.  I worry about the steel on steel contact in light of 

 exposure to moisture and a light, scratched coat of primer.  I worry 

 about the interior where it should stay dry but  any moisture would be 

 trapped.



 Any thoughts on corrosion proofing and paint appreciated.



 Bill Watson

 40605

MauleDriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:42 pm Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

Bob, you didn't happen to turn a few extra bushings did you? 



Bob Newman wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Bill,   I just recently installed my steps and was on verge of posting

 some information regarding these.     I will have photos to share

 tomorrow.



 I decided I was not satisfied with the use of a 3/16" bolt thru the

 hollow tube as the means of securing the step,  it seemes that over time

 the bolt hole will ellongate and there will be movement of the step.   

 The fundamental issue seemed to me that the hollow tube and support

 structure do not actually provide any real clamping force to prevent

 tube rotation.   ( as you torque the bolt the tube/ weldment will just

 deform)

     Therefore,   what I decided to do was make a solid bushing to press

 into the tube leg that supports the tube wall where the bolt passes

 thru.      I turned a set of bushings out of 1"  x 1.5" aluminum stock. 

   I turned the diameter to match the interior diameter of the step tube

 and drilled a 1/4" clearance hole for the bolt to pass thru.    Now the

 bolt torque has a solid structure to actually provide clamping force on

 the weldment/tube combination.       

      I'll post pictures tomorrow.



 Now as for corrision proofing,   I've elected to have my steps chrome

 plated.   I had this done up to the point where the tube passes thru the

 weldment.    From there on I painted the steel tubes with the same epoxy

 primer I've used on the rest of the airplane.  ( Deft   44g-11).



 Bob Newman

 TCW Technologies

Deems Davis

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 925

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

I was also concerned about the single AN3 bolt that attaches the steps. 

I had noticed and received reports that some early flyers had 

experienced the step loosening up on them. you can't put much torque on 

an AN3 bolt. So if thing loosen up after some use there's not a lot of 

extra torque to be applied. Also a drill bit makes a slightly triangular 

hole anyway.  I didn't have the idea, skills or equipment to machine a 

bushing , which is an ideal solution, so I drilled the holes out and 

replaced them with an AN4 bolt. Seems to provide a more solid attachment 

IMO.



Deems Davis # 406

'Its all done....Its just not put together'

http://deemsrv10.com/

n223rv(at)wolflakeairport
Guest

Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:04 am Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

I installed the bolts upside down for this very reason, and drilled a 1/2'' hole in the bottom of the fuse and filled it with a hole plug.  In the baggage floor I installed two of the same access panels used on the wings for the stall mechanism.



I ended up chrome plating my steps, the sure do look purdy and hopefully will be durable.  If not, at least it won't be too hard to swap them out.

-Mike



--

jesse(at)saintaviation.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:21 pm Post subject: Painting and corrosion proofing the steps

You can put the bolt in from the bottom without having to remove the

sidewalls.  You just need a little bit bigger hole in the belly skin so

the bolt head will fit through.



do not archive



Jesse Saint

Saint Aviation, Inc.

jesse(at)saintaviation.com

www.saintaviation.com

352-427-0285



John Gonzalez wrote:

[quote]

 Scott,



 Have you tried to put the bold in the receiver when the side wall panels

 are on. I can't remember, but I think the bolt was too long to fit without

 either making an additional hole in the floor(Behind those side panels) or

 also having the side panels removable with screws and nutplates.



 John G. 409

 Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:49:07 -0800From: scottmschmidt(at)yahoo.comSubject:

 Re: Painting and corrosion proofing the stepsTo:

 rv10-list(at)matronics.com



 What I did for the step was to simply cut access holes in my baggage

 compartment so I could take the steps on and off.  I just manufactured a

 simple cover with nutplates.  Then you don't have to worry about the step

 right now.  You can do this at anytime as well.  The carpet kit covers

 this area and you never even know.  Plus, when I take the plane to Reno I

 can remove the steps and hope for 200 knots more speed to compete with the

 NXT's.  I had my steps ceramic coated when I did my exhaust.  They aren't

 real shiny but it has really held up nicely. They informed me that the

 ceramic coating had a tensile strength of 30ksi which should prevent any

 cracking as they bend when people get on and off them.

 http://www.scottandranae.smugmug.com/gallery/400885/1/15988904/MediumScott

 Schmidt



 ---

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> RV10-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum