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how do you stop RUST on gear, etc.
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:34 pm
by davevramp
What is the best way to stop or slow down rust? What paint or treatment or snake oil do you use? Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Dave
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:43 pm
by c170b53
What component are you trying to stop from rusting / corroding and where has it got ahead of you? Material selection, surface protection and moisture elimination is the only way to slow down the process. As an example, material selection; carbon fibre wing tips and plain carbon steel cad plate screws will corrode in a couple of months after installation. Alum clad titanium screws last forever in contact with carbon fibre. Surface protection; epoxy primer and I use ACF 50 for seams and cracks. Reducing expoosure to moisture is the toughest and in my case the most expensive method as I park my aircraft in a heated hangar.
struts and gear legs
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:14 pm
by davevramp
What I am trying to stop is rust on gear legs and struts (c-140). There is all ways a few red tings coming through the white paint.
Dave
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:42 pm
by GAHorn
Nicks and scratches from gravel/sand/etc. on the leading edges of landing gear legs are going to happen to unprotected surfaces. The only way to prevent rust to exposed steel after the paint as been scratched is to touch up the paint, or protect it from abrasion
One method some use is clear abrasion tape. (legality of that is another matter I won't go into, but it's a simple fix if you don't mind yellowing tape on the legs.)
The real, permanent/persistent answer is: Wipe down your aircraft after every flight with a rag soaked in WD-40. Never allow your airplane to accumulate moisture and subsequent exposure to the elements. Touch up paint. ( I used the little touch-up bottles of Auto-Color found at autoparts stores, Wallymart (yeech) and AutoZone. It comes in a small bottle with a brush.)
Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:16 am
by Robert Eilers
George,
Are you atlking about wiping down the entire airplane with WD40 (as if washing it), or just the leading edges?
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 5:47 am
by GAHorn
I was actually thinking about his gear legs... but.... I really have done this...
... I've used a cheap garden sprayer to spray my aircraft's belly w/WD-40 and then taken a soft brush and scrubbed it and then rinsed it off with a hose and dried it with old towels. Makes the belly-cleaning episode a lot easier.
I buy WD40 in gallon cans.
(Of course, never use soap on my once-polished/now patina finished airplane. I only use WD40 as a solution in water.)