Scott's RV-14 Build

Engine Delivery/Painting Cockpit Items

Spent Tuesday building a mobile paint booth out of PVC pipe, chicken wire, used drop cloths and an old box fan. I have many cockpit items that need painting. Seats, various shrouds, covers, access panels and the rollbar. After the ordeal of painting the cockpit, I'm trying to make the painting process easier, cleaner and safer. A box fan and AC filter will hopefully create a downdraft through the chicken wire drawing in and trapping overspray. The pieces are much smaller and easier accessed then in the cockpit. I can hold the spray gun at the proper distance and angle which was very tough moving in the confines of the cockpit. The critical item is getting the rollbar painted. Once painted it can be installed permanently and I can move on to the rear glass. Another big piece of the puzzle was having my engine delivered. I splurged on a Thunderbolt IO-390-EPX-119 painted red with chrome rocker covers and dual P-Mags. Not cheap. I was fortunate to lock in the cheaper pre-Covid pricing. I'm dying to see it but will leave it boxed up and protected till I need it which won't be for several months yet. After pondering my cluttered garage for a while I was able to rearrange some things and find a spot for it. Much time was spent today paint prepping all the parts by thoroughly scuffing with a red scotch bright pad then cleaning with air, acetone and alcohol for maximum paint adhesion.

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