Overlap a little short ended up dry. Leave it alone?

C

Chris Martin

Promoted Users
Hello SPI friends,

This morning it was nice an cool and I sprayed my second wing. Were the first one was perfect, I made a boo boo on the second one.

On the second coat and at the very end of the job (literally the last pass) I came up a little short on the length wise overlap (if that makes sense) and I couldn't see my mistake (had a saw horse holding the wing that blocked my view and failed to see I ended up a little short on that last pass). The dry spot is about fist size and on the aft edge of the wing. Sadly it is on the top of the wing which is the most visible side. I should have looked better before walking away. Fatigue (didn't sleep well thinking about the painting) or inexperience I guess.

The spot seems sufficiently covered that is not transparent but would have to see it in the sun when I can move the wing in 4 days.

It really is not that bad (just makes me upset because almost got it right) and I think the thing to do is to leave it alone but just wondering if there is a magical solution to fix it. Probably too thin to sand and polish. I'm definitely not sanding the whole thing and spraying it again. And I think I know enough that spot spraying (its single stage) it is probably a bad idea but just wondering.

Well, almost had it perfect but had to happen. But it's probably passable. Oh well.

Chris
 
You could spray some more and use a little blending solvent to burn in the edge. It’s not best practice, respraying the whole wind is best practice but you said you didn’t want to do that. Instructions are in the blending solvent instructions. I’m sure Barry could walk you through it too.

Don
 
Thanks Don. I'll see what he says.

The reasons I don't think I should repaint is because it's not a show car and most people will not be as picky when looking at it, but I will! (and I made a lot of effort to make it look as nice as I could). And the paint is a wee orange peely so not even sure if it will be that noticeable.

I would imagine that fixing a spot would best be done ASAP so that the paint is chemically not fully cured. But I don't have blending solvent. Would have to order Monday.

Again, not even sure if worth it. But doesn't hurt to ask and learn. And if it is not something were it is much better to do right away I will wait the four days before I can handle it and put it outside to see how bad it looks.

I for sure will make sure I don't make such a silly mistake with the rest of this project.

Chris
 
I would call Barry now. Maybe you can do it without blending solvent this soon after spraying. Maybe one of the pros will offer better advice than me.
 
You are right Elwood. To your point, my wife actually walked to the booth this morning and she could not find the boo boo. Then I pointed to it and she could still not see it

So that settles that. And I think I would do more damage by trying to fix it. However, still curious to know if you can spot fix a dry spot. Just for education.

And I’m still upset with myself. Stupid preventable mistake if I had paid attention to that last pass. Call it inexperience.

Attached is a picture of the first wing assembled and ready to fly. That one came out perfect. And a picture of the second one (not so perfect). I have to say, this SPI SS is shiny!!! Maybe too much

Chris
 

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For all the trials and tribulations you had it came out rather nice. Too Shiney? Really? Looks great from the pics.
 
I think so too. I got the fuselage to go which is going to be the hardest one. I think I have gained enough experience at this point to tackle that one.

The comment about glossy is just being sarcastic. It is very nice. Just impressed about the look of this paint. A nice deep gloss. Now, it is true that a surface that is too glossy on a low wing airplane like this one can be a little bit of an issue with the sun reflections. But I don't care. I like it.

Chris
 
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