Yesterday I picked up the 3 instrument panel sections and the mapbox door from the powdercoat shop. Then barely started the assembly and attachment of the mapbox to the rightmost section before the day was over.
The instrument panel sections look GREAT! A medium gray powdercoat followed by a flat powdercoat. NO glare! Kinda like what I ended up with.
Today, drilled the hole in the mapbox door for the CAMLOC fastener. Could not insert the fastener thru the 1/4" hole in the mapbox door. Had to use a small triangular file to cut two grooves in the mapbox door to allow the pins on the CAMLOC fastener to get thru.
Then tried to fit the CAMLOC receptacle. IT WOULD NOT WORK! Because the powdercoat finish is quite thick, the grip length of the CAMLOC supplied (2600-4W) was TOO short. Ordered a 5W and lockwasher from Wicks Aircraft. Its grip length is a bit longer. It should work, now I have to figure out how to remove the CAMLOC washer from the 4W! Maybe have to use God's tool, the DREMEL.
Then tried to trial fit all of the panel sections. They DID NOT FIT! Because the tolerances are so tight, the powdercoat thickness interfered. Had to sand the powdercoat off the edges of the 3 panel sections where they abutt each other. It sanded so well, touchup is not required. After sanding all of them fit very well.
LESSONS LEARNED from my 1st powdercoat experience:
Tell the powdercoat shop to paint ONE side. MARK the back side DO NOT PAINT!!
Tell the powdercoat shop to apply the thinnest layers possible.
Also finished the fuel tank window area by applying the clearcoat.
The 1st shop I contacted wanted $150 to powdercoat the 4 sections plus both sets of the hinges. Reflex Fitness Products, INC. in Milan, IL did it for less than $50-60 plus shipping. 309-756-1050. www.reflexfitness.com They did a very good job. They can ship!
Tell Mike I told ya to call!!
Time Yesterday and Today - 4 hours
