I've designed graphics for one of those sporty little experimental airplanes. (remember John Denver? )
I'm sure some of you have some experience with airplane graphics and pro/cons of different vinyls.
My question is...what kind of vinyl is best for doing these? I assume HP would do it, but will it? Or should we recommend paint mask and spray it instead?
Thanx in advance!
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Don:
Check with your local 3M dealer...3M have a film that is specifically formulated for application to planes...tiny perforations to allow for changes in cabin pressure or something...Might only be necessary for certain types of planes... Would check for you myself but don't have the time right now (sorry).
Posted by Danny Busselle (Member # 3746) on :
If it is Temporary Vinyl will do. Permanent Paint is a MUST. Heat Cold Flexibility ,Adhesion all play a part. FAA Rules Demand Paint, On Passenger air craft. All the Experimental That I Have done out at Mohave Desert was Done With a Catalyze Paint.Or A Hardener If a drop of FUEL get on it in vinyl its gone. This will help you Don I have Done to many. Pain in Butt Climing around wings and where you can put your FEET. Mask Paint. Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Don..I have done it both ways...Vinyl and paint/mask.
On ultralights I have used HP vinyl and had no problems. On larger/multi passenger planes the rules demand paint for all but the smallest of decals.
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
Don, I have been doing aircraft for 16 years since I moved to Toowoomba. Being a pilot and parachutist since I was 20, the first place I "hit" for signwritting work was the local airport! First I hand painted and then I got a plotter 12 years ago.
Since then I have used a combination of enamel paints, with and without a 2-pack clear depending on proximity to engine oils and fuel, or Cal2 HP Vinyl.
The vinyl has held up well. Secret is preperation of the surface and tedious heat gun application over rivets. And WOW!!! are there some rivets in an aircraft Fortunately they are the almost flush type. Another hassle with vinyl is the multiple curves you get in a small aircraft body. Sometimes you have to "distort" graphics to make them look right. Finding a "datum" line along an aircraft is also sometimes a challenge.
One of my favourite lady customers owns 14 vintage and ex military aircraft, most in flying condition. I get paid in cash and "kind" Get to ride in and sometimes even fly some of them. There's a pic on my web site ... www.jonsigns.cjb.net of a nose art job of a dragon I did both sides on a chinese fighter. It's 1-shot with a clear over it. Rest of insignia was mask and spray with Vinyl for the small stuff "no step" etc.
I also have done vinyl on her Hawker "Sea Fury" ... one of the fastest piston engine aircraft ever built ... no problems.
But over all, I would say the best method on large graphic is to supply and apply vinyl masks for the guys who paint the aircraft. They know what they are doing.
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Don... I have used HP for striping on small experimental fiberglas planes (200mph) with no problems. You have to clean,clean,clean to get all the silicones off the area you're doing, and I had to round the sharp points that faced forward, but otherwise everything went normally. My biggest problem was cutting the stripes 20-some feet long with my friction feed plotter. I ended up cutting by hand, and wishing I had an old 4-b laying around for stuff like that.
Posted by Jerry Mathel (Member # 526) on :
Don
I've cut a lot of spraymasks for local aircraft refinishers. One thing you should be aware of however is that any marking or numbers installed on an aircraft have to be signed off by an FAA licenced airframe mechanic, and the installation recorded in the aircraft's maintainence log.
They are really particular about the size and letterstyle of registration markings.
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Back in 1988 in Sacramento Ca. we worked with the Air Force, they were having trouble getting 3m vinyl to stay on the f-16's.
They even switched to the 3m perforated vinyl with little difference, we showed them the Rapid Tac application, took the plane from 140 degree surfase temp on the tarmak, up to 30 thousand feet (somewhere seriously below freezing), and the vinyl was fine.
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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If it is Temporary Vinyl will do. Permanent Paint is a MUST. Heat Cold Flexibility ,Adhesion all play a part. FAA Rules Demand Paint, On Passenger air craft. All the Experimental That I Have done out at Mohave Desert was Done With a Catalyze Paint.Or A Hardener If a drop of FUEL get on it in vinyl its gone. This will help you Don I have Done to many. Pain in Butt Climing around wings and where you can put your FEET. Mask Paint. ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Fortunately they are the almost flush type. Another hassle with vinyl is the multiple curves you get in a small aircraft body. Sometimes you have to "distort" graphics to make them look right. Finding a "datum" line along an aircraft is also sometimes a challenge.![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)