In a message dated 11/18/2004 3:02:33 AM Eastern Standard Time,
europa-list-digest@matronics.com writes:
> I would like to know what others have done with regard to walls and
> >doors for the interior. I been told by a local Long EZ builder that
> >the proper way to go is with Zolitone. I can only find it being sold
> >by the gallon for $55.00. I don't need a whole gallon. Has anyone used
Hi Jeff,
I did my interior with silver-grey Zolatone and it looks great! No priming is
needed on fiberglass according to the manufacturer. It took a gallon, plus
about a pint to do the entire cockpit and baggage area including the roof,
footwells, overhead console panel, "D" panel and seat pans. I do not intend to
paint my doors with the Zolatone, but rather a matching gloss finish light grey
acrylic enamel since they are handled so often. The thinking here is the gloss
finish will be easier to keep clean of fingerprints and such.
Painting with Zolatone is more akin to splattering than spraying. It's a
messy proposition at best. I used an HVLP spray gun at 35 PSI with a 2.4 mm tip
applying two coats, one fairly heavy and the other fairly light. The first
"cover coat" is sprayed from about 12" - 15" away. The second "speckle coat" is
sprayed from about 24" away in short bursts. The beauty of this stuff covers
minor surface imperfections completely and so you don't need to get too carried
away with the bondo. If you miss a spot or realize a thin spot after you spray
it is easy to blend in an area. Edges like where the CM meets the inner skin of
the fuselage should be floated in with lightweight bondo if you don't want
the edge to show, however. Although mine isn't flying yet I have been in and out
of the cockpit dozens of times working on things in the back (ok sometimes
sitting in it making airplane noises too) and no scuffing is apparent. From what
I've experienced let the Zolatone dry for at least 3-4 days before removing
masking tape or the edges will peel. Also, be sure you get all the mold release
off the interior fuselage and in particular the CM.
You're welcome to come take a look at mine if you want or contact me off list
and I'll send you some pictures.
John Wigney over in the Charlotte area painted his interior with something
---From a home improvement store and his looks great too, but I don't recall
what
he used. I do remember him saying it was considerably cheaper than Zolatone.
Regards,
John Lawton
Dunlap, TN
A-245 (wet sanding my bottom (fuselage, that is))
|