FMS 1500 mm P-47D repaint

[fieldofdreamsflyer]

Just be careful when repainting these new FMS planes. They use a new foam called epo52 . Its not the same as there older FMS planes. What nice about the new foam its lighter . The spray paint that I would buy from Home depot worked great on the old foam. When I used the same paint on the new foam it didnt like it .

[OV10]

Just be careful when repainting these new FMS planes. They use a new foam called epo52 . Its not the same as there older FMS planes. What nice about the new foam its lighter . The spray paint that I would buy from Home depot worked great on the old foam. When I used the same paint on the new foam it didnt like it .

What was the type(water/oil based, acrylic/enamel/latex) of spray paint and how didn't the foam like it??

[davegee]

I used a spray acrylic primer called SEM, commonly used for automotive pieces. I had already painted on about 5-6 coats of Minwax polycrylic and did a light sanding. I sprayed about 1/2 of one side of the fuse as a test, being pretty certain I wouldn't have problems. But I did. It went "popcorn" within a few minutes of spraying that one coat. Perhaps I sprayed too thick, I might try a mist spray coat on a test piece to see if that might have made a difference. I have a lot of experience with plastics, metal, fiberglass with this primer/surfacer. Never had any issues with it before on those surfaces. Perhaps foam is not one of those uses.

[Aspirin]

Dave,
Is this the stuff?

https://www.semproducts.com/blog/26-how-to-select-the-best-primer-for-plastic

This product caused issues with the FMS foam?

FODF,
Ouch! good to learn about the new foam EPO52. Sorry you had to do it the hard way.
Thanks for the heads up.

All the best,
Konrad

[davegee]

Yes, Konrad. That is the stuff. Excellent on all other uses on different materials, but I was surprised and dismayed that it affected the foam so much. And that is with 6 layers of Minwax on top of the foam! I used a different spray primer on the wings and tail, and they had no issues at all. The surface of them looks very smooth like metal.

[davegee]

Did test flight #2 today out at Chatfield State Park at our flying field. I had my friend fly one more test for me after it got all painted while I observed. It was still pretty much in trim, although this time I had the bombs on the wings so that required a very minor trimming. But I think it is ready for me to fly now, maybe tomorrow if the weather is good. Took a few pics out at the field. It flies very nicely!

[Aspirin]

Chatfield, That was the playground of my youth. One of the best flying fields around! How did the Jug hold up to the cold? LG hold up fine? Batteries able to discharge fast enough? Finger staying flexible?:rolleyes:

All the best,
Konrad

[davegee]

Yes, Konrad, it was actually almost 58 degrees here today. And after temps being below zero just a few days ago, it felt like Miami! (lol). No problem flying the plane, runways were plowed today by some of our members. Still wet in spots, but totally adequate for flying. I think Chatfield is one of the best rc fields in the country. We get a lot of visitors from all over the USA, and that's what they tell us.

[davegee]

Got my hands on the sticks today, two successful flights, so that makes a total of 4 flights on this bird. Still feeling it out a bit, but it flies nice, takes off and lands pretty well, although I am working on refining that. I have or had the 1700mm FMS P-47D, Corsair, and P-51D planes so this is fairly similar to those, just a bit smaller and lighter. I think this is a good plane.