Corrosion protection is a topic of much debate...and causes confusion among new builders. To cut the chase here is what i decided upon:
- Clean parts with Alumiprep (basically a phosphoric acid wash) using a Scotchbrite pad (available at any supermarket). Do not let the part dry with the cleaner on the metal.
- Wash parts off with lots of water to while still wet from the Alumiprep.
- Let the part dry in sun or dry with clean (clean!) cloth.
- At this point you can Alodine if you wish...i alodined most small parts but did not bother with the skins (too much work in the hot Florida sun)
- Spray with green zinc chromate primer (aviation primer...not marine..there is a difference...i called the manufacturer).
- The parts that were exposed i added a grey enamel paint over the top. Inside parts I left the attractive green zinc chromate.
- The End.
Note that you can go to www.matronics.com and search the RV-List archives for all the gory details on priming. There are products such as Dupont Veriprime that some people are using.....but the manufacturer requires that this have a top coat...so more weight, work,etc....
If you think about what you are trying to accomplish with corrosion protection it is that you don't want water coming between two parts causing a galvanic corrosion...or water sitting on a metal surface for a long period of time.
With this in mind pay attention to the areas that this would happen. Also watch out for any aluminum/steel contact areas. I used zinc chromate covered by a layer of enamel paint in these area to prevent galvanic corrosion.
My plane should be corrosion free for at least 30years or so.
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