Lancair International Inc., Represented by Neico Aviation Inc., Copyright 2008 Redmond, OR 97756
Chapter 1
Page 1.15
REV. 2nd Ed./08-15-06
Introduction to the Lancair ES FastBuild Kit
ES
rolling surface. Common paint rollers work okay but we made a solid aluminum roller that
works even better. Wallpaper rollers are also good for this application.
Rubber squeegees
The auto parts store should carry plastic Bondo™ smoothing paddles. There should be three of
four different sizes in a package. These work well for removing excess epoxy and air out of
layups, applying and smoothing out micro, and any number of other items. The paddles clean up
easily and they should last the entire project.
Sandpaper and sanding blocks
Purchase several sanding blocks and a lot of 40-grit sandpaper. Nearly every time you apply
epoxy or BID tapes to a piece, you will have to rough it up with 40-grit first. Get this size for
your belt sander and your sanding blocks. Get a couple of sheets of other grits but nothing
rougher than 40. We suggest 80 and 120-grit and even finner for finishing.
3M Production Paper Sheets are the best we've seen for preparing fiberglass and carbon fiber.
The are 2-3/4" x 17-1/2" and are meant for longboard sanders. If cut in half, they fit perfectly
into most rubber hand sanding blocks. 3M calls this sandpaper "The Green Corps" and the paper
is green. Auto body supply and auto paint stores should carry this item.
Cardboard
We recommend using cardboard for rib or web templates. Create cardboard templates to use as a
pattern for prepreg.
Cotton flox
Cotton flox is finely chopped cotton fibers which appear nearly as fine as micro balloons. The
difference is that flox is structurally stronger than micro when combined with epoxy.
Epoxy
During aircraft assembly two types of epoxy are used:
• Structural paste adhesive – used to structurally bond molded parts together. We use Hysol
9360.
• Laminating resin – used to make fiberglass layups and is also mixed with flox or micro.
Jeffco 3102 is our laminating resin of choice.
These epoxies are not interchangeable. The instructions in this manual will specify which epoxy
to use. Always follow the instructions. Make sure you use Lancair approved products. Most
epoxies have a manufacturer's recommended shelf life of typically one year. In some cases this
is quite conservative. However, the manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed.
Instant glue
Instant glue is included in your kit and is handy for many of the steps described in this manual.
You can use it to temporarily tack almost any of the parts together. Use only a drop or two for
any of the steps in this manual. You can use it to glue a piano hinge in place and for measuring
where Clecos would get in the way. We keep this in stock.
Instant glue accelerator
This is the ultimate stuff for impatient people. This makes instant glue act even faster. A quick
spray of this accelerator and the glue is set, right now. We keep this in stock.
Other Useful Supplies
• Rubber gloves
• Sawhorses
2/02-2008
