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instrument panel color

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brentbidus(at)juno.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

Anyone have any thoughts on best colors or colors to avoid when painting

the instrument panel?  My airplane is red and yellow but don't want

problems with glare.  Thanks,



Brent Bidus

Classic 4/912

Colorado Springs CO

kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

Flat black would be the best.  Really any color that is not shiny ( no

gloss) will do fine.  My fox is red and I have a flat black panel.  Attached

is a photo.



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n981ms(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

First time I saw a white  panel I thought it was the greatest thing.  Later read that what you want to stand out are the white markings on the gauges so that a dark panel is preferred.  Made sense to me so I had mine powder coated a textured dark grey.  I love it.  They powdercoated the panel front back and inside the map box.  A drop down for throttle quadrant and the control sticks all for 35 bucks.  I think it was the best deal I got on any thing for the whole plane.

   

  Maxwell

  



Brent E Bidus <brentbidus(at)juno.com> wrote:

  [quote]--> Kitfox-List message posted by: Brent E Bidus 



Anyone have any thoughts on best colors or colors to avoid when painting

the instrument panel? My airplane is red and yellow but don't want

problems          Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles.

[url=http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48246/*http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/;_ylc=X3oDMTE5cDF2bXZzBF9TAzk3MTA3MDc2BHNlYwNtYWlsdGFncwRzbGsDZ3JlZW4tY2VudGVy]Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.[/url] [quote][b]

smokey_bear_40220(at)yaho
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

My feeling when it comes to the instrument panel is

that you want to see the instruments, not the panel. 

Pretty panels are ok for show, but harder to fly with.



You might look at the stone simulated paints at the

hardware store.  Something with a lower glare and nice

look that hides blemishes.  Easy to spray on too. 

Just a thought.  I used a medium gray and like how my

panel came out.  Attached is a small pic of it.  Large

pic available.



Kurt Schrader

S-5/NSI turbo

Florida and Panama

==================================================

--- Brent E Bidus <brentbidus(at)juno.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Anyone have any thoughts on best colors or colors to

 avoid when painting

 the instrument panel?  My airplane is red and yellow

 but don't want problems with glare.  Thanks,

 

 Brent Bidus

 Classic 4/912

 Colorado Springs CO


	




Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect.  Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us. http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7

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nail13zg(at)centurytel.ne
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:49 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

Brent,

  

 my  model 5 is red and yellow as well.  Panel is dark grey and charcoal

  

 Trey

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henrysfork1(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  I used a Hammer Mill grey enamel. It goes with about any color with no  glare in direct sun and shows no finger prints or dirt. You can also easily read  the gauges and such.

  

 Dee Young

 Model II

 East Idaho

  

 Do not archive

 [quote]   ---

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:26 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

Lucky Lindy used brushed aluminium....  I would use flat black... The

flatter and blacker the better.



I saw the Spirit of St Louis in the museum of air and space a couple of

years ago.  I wouldn't want to fly that plane for ten minutes let alone

across the ocean!

Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

clemwehner(at)sbcglobal.n
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

Here's another alternative finish for the instrument panel. I covered my

panel with a thin wood veneer, then stained it a dark mahogany color,

then varnished it. My KF is red and the wood grain panel looks rich and

nostalgic of early airplanes. 



I got the veneer at a wood supply shop and I picked through the stack

until I found the grain that I wanted. It had an adhesive backing that

stuck like crazy to the aluminum (cleaned well). It has not shown any

signs of loosening in 10 years. 



Clem Wehner

KFIV-912

Lawton, OK

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Anyone have any thoughts on best colors or colors to avoid

 when painting

 the instrument panel?  My airplane is red and yellow but don't want

 problems with glare.  Thanks,

 

 Brent Bidus

 Classic 4/912

 Colorado Springs CO

kitfox555(at)sbcglobal.ne
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

On mine I used a counter top laminate ,thin not to heavy also put it on floor to match all in flat wood grain finish  got it from Home Depot $12.00 



kirk hull <kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com> wrote:   [quote]Flat black would be the best. Really any color that is not shiny ( no

gloss) will do fine. My fox is red and I have a flat black panel. Attached

is a photo.



--

jose_m_toro(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:03 am Post subject: instrument panel color

I'm still constructing, but my panel will be yellow.  Instead of a gloss finish, I intend to have a satin finish.  To attain that, I will be using a base coat with hardener using a 6 to 1 ratio.

  

 Jose

 ---

kerrjohna(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:26 am Post subject: instrument panel color

would like the large version of the picture for my scrapbook. Thanks

 John Kerr

 Classic IV/912ul, 758.9 hours as of this morning.  a lot of smoke in the western skies.

 [quote]-------------- Original message -------------- 

From: kurt schrader <smokey_bear_40220(at)yahoo.com> 

 	  Quote: 	
		   My feeling when it comes to the instrument panel is 

 that you want to see the instruments, not the panel. 

 Pretty panels are ok for show, but harder to fly with. 

 You might look at the stone simulated paints at the 

 hardware store. Something with a lower glare and nice 

 look that hides blemishes. Easy to spray on too. 

 Just a thought. I used a medium gray and like how my 

 panel came out. Attached is a small pic of it. Large 

 pic available. 

 Kurt Schrader 

 S-5/NSI turbo 

 Florida and Panama 

 ================================================== 

 --- Brent E Bidus wrote: 

 > Anyone have any thoughts on best colors or c  olors  to 

 > avoid when painting 

 > the instrument panel? My airplane is red and yellow 

 > but don't want problems with glare. Thanks, 

 > 

 > Brent Bidus 

 > Classic 4/912 

 > Colorado Springs CO 

 Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and 

 lay it on us. http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7

brentbidus(at)juno.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 3:53 pm Post subject: instrument panel color

Thanks to all who responded with pictures and suggestions.  I  appreciate the insights.  

  

 Brent

  

 On Thu, 19 Jul 2007 06:56:18 -0700 (PDT) "Jose M. Toro" <jose_m_toro(at)yahoo.com (jose_m_toro(at)yahoo.com)> writes:

 [quote]      I'm    still constructing, but my panel will be yellow.  Instead of a gloss    finish, I intend to have a satin finish.  To attain that, I    will be using a base coat with hardener using a 6 to 1 ratio.

    

   Jose

   -----    Original Message ----

From: jerry evans    <kitfox555(at)sbcglobal.net>

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Sent:    Wednesday, July 18, 2007 11:55:21 PM

Subject: RE: instrument    panel color



On mine I used a counter top laminate ,thin not to heavy    also put it on floor to match all in flat wood grain finish  got it    from Home Depot $12.00 



kirk hull    <kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com> wrote:    [quote]Flat      black would be the best. Really any color that is not shiny ( no

gloss)      will do fine. My fox is red and I have a flat black panel. Attached

is a      photo.



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n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:31 am Post subject: Re: instrument panel color

Mine is clear anodized, I like the looks. For night flying it's not good,

because I flood light the panel and there is a lot of reflected light at 

night.



Jeff

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Rhino

Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 56
Location: Xenia, Ohio

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:13 am Post subject: Re: instrument panel color

I'm planning on light grey with black lettering.

occom

Joined: 26 Aug 2006
Posts: 404

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:49 am Post subject: instrument panel color

Mine is Cub yellow in day VFR it doesn't appear to have been a problem for 

anyone. I'll have to wait and see.



Dave Goddard- Mod IV 1050/582

do not archive

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Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:05 am Post subject: instrument panel color

For your best night viewing use flat black paint/anodizing on the panel

itself and light it with red LEDs.  This recipe will allow your pupils to

open and allow you to see more of what's going on outside your plane.



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:39 am Post subject: Re: instrument panel color

My honest opinion is that flood lighting a panel is simply a poor choice. 

No matter how well you do it, you'll have glare from everywhere when 

it's dark out, the bubble doors reflect light, the windshield reflects light,

light clothing reflects light, maps reflect, it's all very annoying. Jump into 

the average car at night and they're a thousandfold better for instrument

lighting.



The plane I'm now building (ch801) I intend to use only internally lighted

instruments.



Regards,

Jeff

barry(at)pgtc.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:39 am Post subject: instrument panel color

Good choice, maybe a little toward medium gray.



Barry West



do not archive



---

barry(at)pgtc.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:40 am Post subject: instrument panel color

and use powder coating.



BW



do not archive



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