Robinison 22HP Manual
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Step 44 Preparing and painting the kit version.
This section is written to cover painting and detailing of fiberglass components using in Century’s scale helicopter kits.
Some included references may describe components of different kits, not exclusive to this instruction manual.
Flexibility
A wonderful attribute of fiberglass is in its flexibility. Century takes care and pride in craftsmanship that goes into every
fuselage. However, fiberglass parts will migrate while inside the shipping box. When two mating components are brought
together and they do not align or mate, the culprit is a warped part. Many become upset and wish to lay blame but
dealing with this is very simple when explained a simple procedure. Using a heat gun set at the high setting at a distance
of 1-2 feet away, evenly heat the warped part until the outside surface is hot to the touch and the part has become
pliable (flexible). Using adhesive tape, mate the two fiberglass parts together and let both parts sit until both parts have
reached room temperature. Remove the tape and now both parts are stable and match one another. In some instances,
depending on the location of the warp, the part may need to be held in an overextended position to achieve the proper
shape when the part is finished.
Working with Fiberglass
Difficult to work with, we disagree. Fiberglass is easier to repair than you think. Using today’s CA type of adhesives, a
severe crack in a fuselage can be simply fixed and the repaired section is much stronger than in its original state. Add
touchup paint and no one would ever know I had been damaged. There is a limit to this type of thinking where purchas-
ing the replacement fiberglass part is simply cheaper and less work than performing major reconstructive surgery.
The Paint Job.
There is no magic to a good paint job, the true secret is time, patience and common sense. A beginner who thinks that
they can throw paint onto a fuselage Friday night before flying on Sunday is dreaming, the helicopter would be flyable
but even that is a stretch. The average beginner will spend the better part of a month to apply a good clean paint job.
Preparing the fuselage for painting.
After opening the fuselage, examine all the fiberglass components to see where work needs to be done to allow a simple
"bring up" of the fuselage. "Bring up" describes the necessary steps to complete all the jobs in order to start priming the
fiberglass parts. Typical work that is done at this stage is rough sanding on seams and jointed components, filling of
surface imperfections, adding panel lines and rivets, cutting required holes and preparation for priming.
1. Start by thoroughly washing all fiberglass parts in mild detergent and water, this will remove any residue remaining
from the molding process. Next wipe down all the parts with Acetone (from the hardware store). The Acetone will
remove all traces of oil or grease that will affect the adhesion of two fiberglass parts or between the paint and the
fiberglass. Now using steel wool or an abrasive pad commonly used for scrubbing dishes, scuff all surfaces that will be
joined or receiving paint. What is important to note here is that we are breaking through the topmost resin surface and
creating the best surface for adhesive or primer to adhere to. The prepared finish will have very fine score marks usually
seen when the part is held to the light at a slight angle.
2. This is the time to rough sand any accessories or small parts, using the 320 grip sandpaper, that will be assembled
and attached at different positions on the fuselage. These can be marking lights, engine exhausts, scale fuel tanks,
horizontal and vertical stabilizers, guns, antenna or any scale details being bonded to the fuselage. These accessories
should be test assembled to make sure that all parts are prepared, and you will be able to see any problems that may
arise in trying to paint these parts. Some thought should be put into how to hold the part as it is being painted. Go ahead
and bond these parts at this time using the slow CA glue or regular 5-30 minute Epoxy to bond two fiberglass compo-
nents together or Stabilit, a specially formulated adhesive for this purpose and excellent for fillets. Epoxy is good to
bond unlike substances like wood or metal to themselves or other parts.
