PPG primer and paint specs and source

[Maverick]

Hi. Does anyone know the specs on the PPG paint that is used on the Kitfox? Which version of primer and/or paint should be used and any ideas on how much is needed to complete the initial covering?

[Maverick]

Never mind this post. I was able to find a phone number and called. PPG doesn't sell aerospace paints to the general public. Seems there is no supplier for retail, only to companies that by in volume.

[jmodguy]

Your best bet is to have a friend that owns a paint shop...

[Esser]

Look up Endura Manufacturing. They have a fabric urethane line. It’s what’s on my plane. Super high quality product that competes with PPG. They have 40,000 colours and can match anything.

[aviator79]

I believe the paint is PPG Desothane 8800, and that you can buy it through Kitfox. John McBean showed me a 8-10" rubber play ball coated in the stuff, and it was amazing how flexible it was. You could put a 1" deep, 3" diameter dimple in the ball without any hint of the paint wanting to crease or crack.

I didn't request pricing at the time, so you'll have to contact Kitfox to see, but I think it's more than $500/gallon. :eek:

[efwd]

How much airplane does 1 gallon cover? I only bought quarts of various colors and had to buy more once or twice so.. I didn't pay attention.
Eddie

[avidflyer]

Poly fiber (poly tone) is only about $100 per gallon, and it's made for fabric, and has a very proven history. Easy to paint, won't kill you with it's fumes. What am I missing. JImChuk

[efwd]

I agree. My poly tone could be applied by a three year old and it looks great. Ive repaired some that got over spray and you can't tell. What is missing? Gloss. Sure there are products and techniques (more $$) to get gloss out of it but its not like the PPG or Endura. I have a color chip of Endura that I got from Oshkosh. It was a business card they handed out. Man, its pretty.
Eddie

[aviator79]

How much airplane does 1 gallon cover?...Eddie

The Polyfiber manual says that a Kitfox will take 8.5 gallons Poly-tone, 5 gallons of Aero-thane, or 3.5 gallons of Ranthane. So I'd assume 4 +/- 1 gallon for PPG. I see that Skygeek sells PPG Desothane by the quart for $215. :eek::eek:.

[HighWing]

Poly fiber (poly tone) is only about $100 per gallon,..

It had been about 15 years since covering my first Kitfox before painting my second and was.surprised by the cost of paint. A friend told me about $2000.

I totally agree with Jim. I remember once flying to a build center to visit the "West Desert Fly-in". The build center built Rans kit planes and used an automotive paint with elasticizer. Several big bare spots on some airplanes.where the paint cracked and pealed. Sorry, but in my mind it sort of is like auto conversion engines.

[aviator79]

I agree. My poly tone could be applied by a three year old and it looks great. Ive repaired some that got over spray and you can't tell. What is missing? Gloss. Sure there are products and techniques (more $$) to get gloss out of it but its not like the PPG or Endura. I have a color chip of Endura that I got from Oshkosh. It was a business card they handed out. Man, its pretty.
Eddie

To gloss, I'd add durability, and chemical resistance. The Poly Fiber manual does a pretty good job describing the tradeoffs. I sprayed a light coat of Poly-tone white under my Aero-thane orange to ensure color consistency. I used a mild paint cleaning solvent between coats, and it took the Poly-Tone off of some of the high spots. Fuel will stain it readily if you don't keep it waxed.

If you're really pinching pennies in your build, or you plan to operate your plane such that you anticipate making fabric repairs often, Poly-Tone is the obvious choice. Otherwise, the urethanes hold up better. I'm more interested in what advantages PPG offers over Aero-thane and Ranthane, which are formulated for fabric, plenty glossy, and cost less than half as much. I suppose color selection is one advantage.

[AirFox]

I bought 4 gallons of Aerothane for my SS7 and only used 2.5. Could have done it in 2 gallons if I was a better painter.

[Maverick]

I believe the paint is PPG Desothane 8800, and that you can buy it through Kitfox. John McBean showed me a 8-10" rubber play ball coated in the stuff, and it was amazing how flexible it was. You could put a 1" deep, 3" diameter dimple in the ball without any hint of the paint wanting to crease or crack.

I didn't request pricing at the time, so you'll have to contact Kitfox to see, but I think it's more than $500/gallon. :eek:

I am checking with Debra about this. John told me that it takes less coats with PPG and in the long run is less costly. I've used PolyFiber products before and am comfortable with them but, if fewer coats are necessary then it should be lighter and take less time to complete however; I do consider PolyFiber less detrimental to your health than the Desothane, at least after looking at the MSDS of both. If the factory built planes are using Desothane then I think it's worth consideration.

[avidflyer]

As far as fewer coats being lighter, I'm not sure. I think it will depend a lot on how much of either one evaporates off. If nothing evaporates, it won't loose any weight, were as if 75% evaporates then that gallon will end up only weighing 1/4 of what it started off as. Also, if nothing evaporated, that would help it cover in less coats. (hypothetically speaking) Not arguing, just thinking out loud. JImChuk

[Jfquebec]

15942
I paint mine last week with aerothane
Very gloss...im very happy with the result

[efwd]

JFQUEBEC, Are you putting the Maple Leaf on that plane?
Eddie

[DesertFox4]

I like the invasion stripes. Looks good jean-francois.

[Jfquebec]

I made some paint sheme with the ww2 rcaf roundel but it's look better with star and bar

[jmodguy]

Single stage polyurethane. Very flexible...

[Clark in AZ]

Is the Desothane fuel proof or at least resistant? I don't believe Polytone is. Neither is the Stewart's.