Finished masking for turquoise stripes on the fuselage.
Time: 4 hours.
Author: Leonard Westermeyer
Blue Paint
After preparation the dark blue paint was applied to the empennage, fuselage, wings, cowl and wheel pants.
Time: 8 hours.
Blue Paint Masking
I marked the border between white and blue paint by marking the vertical position every 10 inches on the fuselage, every 4 inches on the wings and empennage and every 2 inches on the wheel pants. These marks were connected using a stiff wire to create a smooth curve with an erasable marking pen. This line was then used to locate the 1/2” flexible vinyl masking tape.
Time: 6 hours.
Fuselage White Paint
Continued preparing, priming and painting white paint on the fuselage, cowling, wheel fairings and pants. Had to cut and polish most of the paint because of defects in the spraying setup. Also had to repaint several surfaces because cutting was too aggressive. Conservative estimate of total time used between September and December 2021.
Time: 80 hours.
Left Wing Paint
Prepared left wing, primed and painted 2 coats of white.
Time: 4 hours.
Wing Paint Corrections
Repaired runs on flaps and ailerons. Polished corrections on paint of right wing.
Time: 4 hours.
Protect Screws from Paint
Used adhesive backed 1/4” circular stickers to protect screw heads from paint.
Time: 4 hours.
Wing Paint Preparation
Used 4” PVC pipe to suspend the wings for painting. Permits rotation to improve application angle. Used sander to prepare surface with 400 grit sanding disks.
Time: 4 hours.
Empennage Paint
Primed and painted white color on elevator and horizontal stabilizer.
Time: 4 hours.
Empennage Paint Preparation
Prepared elevator and horizontal stabilizer for painting.
Time: 4 hours.
Leonard's RV-7A Build 