Jabiru J450 Constructors Manual
Paint>Masking
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
197 of 343
Paint>Masking
General: we recommend and use regular automotive masking tape and brown masking paper.
We do
not
recommend the use of newspaper for masking due to its porous/absorbent nature.
We recommend and use “
Fine Line
” brand edging tape (photo below left) to define the edges
of windscreen and windows then follow up with normal 1” wide tape and brown paper to fill.
The windscreen, door and side windows will all need to be masked very carefully, paying
particular attention to the shape of the masked area, which should closely match the shape of
the underlying glass fibre structure. Use the “
Fine Line
” tape and mask slightly (~5mm)
inside of the structure line and then use a folded piece of 240-grit paper and sand right up to
the tape to provide a good key for the paint to adhere to. Take your time with this – you will
see the shape of your windscreen and windows every time that you fly so make them even and
pleasing to the eye. The photo above right shows a side window fully masked – note the blue
“
Fine Line
” tape defining the edge and the regular masking tape and paper infill.
Do not rush the masking stage, but rather take your time and do it carefully: care at this stage
will save you a lot of time and grief later – overspray is
not
easy to remove, particularly with
2-pack paint, so mask up very carefully. Overspray will sneak though the smallest gaps.
Mask all control surface hinges on both the control surface and on the adjoining structure.
Mask the VHF antenna and static tube.
Mask inside the door openings so that the
door opening will be painted but overspray
will not get inside the cabin and foul the
inside of the windows.
Mask the engine and engine bay back to the
outside edge of the firewall – wrap the entire
engine and engine mounts in masking paper
and seal off at the firewall.
Mask the main wheels and brakes.
Mask the suspension rubbers on the noseleg.
Masked and undercoated J170 fuselage