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Removing metal scratches on Rudder

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reinkings(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:50 am Post subject: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

Just finished riveting the rudder together.   Being a newbie builder, 

even being careful, have all kinds of very thin scratches on the skin 

surfaces.   Is this deadly?  Is there some way to buff them out and 

(lastly) quick instructions on how to do that?

Thanks, gang,   John Reinking (starting 601XL)

ifly4fun2(at)sbcglobal.ne
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:36 am Post subject: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

John,

I would say its not deadly but some attention may be necessary.  Can you catch the scratch with a

fingernail? If so it is probably worth taking out.  I had some rather deep scratches perpendicular

to the aluminum grain on my rudder spar and I used 400grit alum oxide paper to get them out. 

Since it was is the spar I went with the grain also.  If they aree minor scratches you may get

them out with some (MAROON 7447 3M Scotchbrite Pads).  Whatever you choose to use make sure it is

not iron (ferrous) based material.  Silicon or Aluminum Oxide is the choice of content.



Art    

--- John Reinking <reinkings(at)comcast.net> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Just finished riveting the rudder together.   Being a newbie builder, 

 even being careful, have all kinds of very thin scratches on the skin 

 surfaces.   Is this deadly?  Is there some way to buff them out and 

 (lastly) quick instructions on how to do that?

 Thanks, gang,   John Reinking (starting 601XL)

ifly4fun2(at)sbcglobal.ne
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:36 am Post subject: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

John,

I would say its not deadly but some attention may be necessary.  Can you catch the scratch with a

fingernail? If so it is probably worth taking out.  I had some rather deep scratches perpendicular

to the aluminum grain on my rudder spar and I used 400grit alum oxide paper to get them out. 

Since it was is the spar I went with the grain also.  If they aree minor scratches you may get

them out with some (MAROON 7447 3M Scotchbrite Pads).  Whatever you choose to use make sure it is

not iron (ferrous) based material.  Silicon or Aluminum Oxide is the choice of content.



Art    

--- John Reinking <reinkings(at)comcast.net> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Just finished riveting the rudder together.   Being a newbie builder, 

 even being careful, have all kinds of very thin scratches on the skin 

 surfaces.   Is this deadly?  Is there some way to buff them out and 

 (lastly) quick instructions on how to do that?

 Thanks, gang,   John Reinking (starting 601XL)

shilcom

Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 63

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:45 am Post subject: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

If you are going to paint, then wait till painting  time.  If you can feel the scratch with your fingernail, then work on it  with red scotchbrite pad and if that doesn't do it start with 250 grit emry  paper and get courser as needed.  I but scotch brite will get it out.   bob U. 

 [quote]   ---

kmccune

Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 577
Location: Wisconsin, USA

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

Sorry for sticking my nose in your post reinkings(at)comcast.net, but what if your buffing most of the skin, instead of painting?



Kevin

_________________
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"Real freedom is the sustained act of being an individual." WW - 2009

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Dorothy McCune

zodierocket(at)hsfx.ca
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

If your nail is stuck in it then mild buffing is in order, but since it

is on the skin I would not worry too much, the properties of 6061 will

allow it to stay resistant to corrosion. If you are buffing your plane

then it will come out. If your painting then a small amount of putty

will remove all trace. Once again this is for a skin in which we have a

scratch that we are not worried about becoming a crack. If this was a

spar then all trace would need to be removed.



Mark Townsend  Alma, Ontario

Zodiac 601XL C-GOXL, CH701 just started

www.ch601.org / www.ch701.com / www.Osprey2.com



--

kmccune

Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 577
Location: Wisconsin, USA

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

Thanks Mark,

 I was thinking it was more of a problem then that. 

Kevin

reinkings(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:14 am Post subject: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

Thanks for your ideas gentlemen.   We are considering a polished metal 

but have not ruled out painting.   I do realize that scratches 

sufficient to be easily felt or if on a location that cannot tolerate it 

(and must be replaced) but wasn't sure about these soft surface 

scratches.  John/Woodinville, WA

shilcom

Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 63

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:44 am Post subject: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

If your buffing or polishing you've got a lot of  work ahead of you.  The basic premise is that you will have to sand, using  course enough paper to remove and feather out the scratch, then begin to sand  and polish using successively finer paper and polishing compound untill you get  back to the polish desired.  I've done it many times, mostly on plexiglass,  but also on aluminum and have the kits to do it.  Bob U. 

 [quote]   ---

planecrazydld(at)yahoo.co
Guest

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject: Removing metal scratches on Rudder

I would caution that some areas of skin are more subject to the effects of sonic fatigue than others. The input stimulations can be proprllor pulses, engine exhaust reports, high frequency air buffeting, and anyplace that goes resonant as a result of applied sonic pressures. These possible locations need to have any "sharp bottomed" scratch burnished out (then filled, if desired).



ZodieRocket <zodierocket(at)hsfx.ca> wrote:[quote] --> Zenith-List message posted by: "ZodieRocket" 



If your nail is stuck in it then mild buffing is in order, but since it

is on the skin I would not worry too much, the properties of 6061 will

allow it to stay resistant to corrosion. If you are buffing your plane

then it will come out. If your painting then a small amount of putty

will remove all trace. Once again this is for a  skin in which we have a

scratch that we are not worried about becoming a crack. If this was a

spar then all trace would need to be removed.



Mark Townsend  Alma, Ontario

Zodiac 601XL C-GOXL, CH701 just started

www.ch601.org / www.ch701.com / www.Osprey2.com



--

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