Fuel Proofing

[alastai kean]

I have recently built P51 from plans
I painted it in four different colours
Silver Green white & Black I used Acrylic Laquer over the paint
I took the model to the field to test my ASP engine I run the engine for a tank of fuel
ran it rich as it was a new engine, cleaned the model , took it home and hung it on its shelf
I returned to the model two weeks later and when i picked it up the side my exhaust was on
was sticky and the paint was now soft.
What have i not done correctly?
Any help would be appreciated
Its a nice looking model I hope this can be rectified
Thanks Guys

[Bob Thompson1894]

Acrylic is not fuel proof enough for glow fuel. Only repair would be to strip it back and repaint that part, and fuel proof the area with Tufcote or similar. A tube to divert the hot gases would help, too.

[alastai kean]

Thankyou I will give that a try
I have flattened and recaoted with acrylic just to stop it eating into it
Will i be able to apply the tufcoat aoverr the lacquer
Thanks

[paul needham]

Remember to give it a good clean all over before relackering, not sure what is best to clean with, I use meths, anybody found anything better ?

[Phil Clark]

I'm 99.9% sure Tufkote is no longer made......it's certainly not listed on the Deluxe Materials site anymore. (The new version is Aerokote)

I have had many a similar conversation with customers over recent years and it appears Aerokote is not what TufKote used to be, nor is it as fuel proof to glo fuel. Not wishing to be too blatant, but the only 'clear' that I have fond to be 100% against all fuel types (glo, petrol, diesel, Kerosene etc....) is Klass Kote epoxy. The clear can be applied with either the matt, satin or gloss catalyst and to this day, it's the only product I've used that once fully cured can be wiped down with it's own solvent with no effect to the surface what so ever.

Phil

[Bob Thompson1894]

Seems you are right Phil. (been a while since I built a glow model!) I believe it was carcinogenic. Aerocote it not anywhere near as good.

[alastai kean]

Thanks Phil you are correct about the Tufkote found this out this morning after a visit to my local shop, where he recommended contacting yourself to see if you had anything for sale from Fighter Aces
Hope you have
Lesson learned start
with all the same type of paint

[Steve Rickett 2333]

Yes! The ONLY true fuel proof paint that I have found is Klass Kote.

You can use it as a clear top coat in your case....you may suffer a little over prolonged exposure but it'll be the best you can do.

As you say the very best is to paint the whole model in Klass Kote...that way it'll even be able to resist a spillage of thinners or acetone!!!

Sure it's expensive....but it does what it says on the tin!!

[Phil Clark]

Thanks Phil you are correct about the Tufkote found this out this morning after a visit to my local shop, where he recommended contacting yourself to see if you had anything for sale from Fighter Aces
Hope you have
Lesson learned start
with all the same type of paint

Hi Alastair

Sticking to one matched paint systems start to finish is by far the safest option.......you can mix and match with acrylic, cellulose, enamel or water based colours + a different clear as a proofer, but there are various 'rules' you must stick to so as not to get a reaction between different 'types' of paint. Once you know these, life becomes much easier, but if you want a 100% guaranteed, no hassle paint that can be used & abused without fear of it coming off, KK is about the best there is.

Feel free to PM me here or drop me an e-mail via the contacts section on the Fighteraces website if I can be of any further assistance.

Phil

[Stuart Solomon]

Go to any car paint dealer and get 2K clear, comes in various degrees of gloss and is proof against any fuel. Same make up as the old Tuffkote. Cheaper than buying the model stuff, sorry Phil. Solly.

[Phil Clark]

Most of these are Isocyanate based though are they not Stuart?.......NASTY STUFF

[Bob Thompson1894]

It was originally Furniglass coating for furniture. I wonder how many cabinet makers have died from cancers related to it?

[Stuart Solomon]

Only those who are daft enough to not wear a charcoal filter mask .

[Bob Thompson1894]

I first came across it many years ago Stu. Never heard of masks of any kind in those days....lol