Brush Finished Wings

[Archer39J]

While fabricating some parts I find I really like the look of the scotchbrite brushed aluminum. I was thinking my wings would be some type of metallic silver and instead of priming and painting the entire wing I'm wondering if I couldn't just brush the alclad. I know there are plenty of polished planes out there, and there are significant maintenance considerations with that approach, but I haven't been able to find any information about brushing aluminum. Any thoughts on this approach?

ETA: Water intrusion is one concern I'd have, all the lap joints and rivet heads, primer and paint are pretty effective sealers. I would think some kind of clear coat could be in order?

[Chris In Milwaukee]

From the folks who have polished airplanes, myself included, you’ll kick yourself for clear coating over bare aluminum. It would not stay shiny under there. Airstream campers had this problem.

Anything that you do with bare aluminum is going to require fairly continuous upkeep. I think a nice DA finish on an aluminum wing would look cool as heck. But I’m questioning whether you could keep it cool looking over time.

A polished surface will get better the more often it’s polished. So if I were doing a bare metal Airplane, that’s the route I’d take.

[svyolo]

I love the look of polished aluminum airplanes, but I have heard it described as a "disease" or affliction.

[Archer39J]

I understand the problem with clear coating polished AL is that it doesn't adhere well to the super slick surface. This wouldn't be an issue with a brushed finish, neither would dulling I would think. Perhaps I should do some samples and see how they weather?

[JimParker256]

Someone (Kerry Fores??) built a gorgeous Sonex that he kept polished to a mirror finish, and named it "Metal Illness"... A very appropriate name!

[Archer39J]

I don't know if I'm missing something, but I'm not looking to polish the aluminum to a mirror finish? Just leaving the satin look of a scotchbrite pad.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

No, you’re not missing anything. We’re just talking about alternative finishes. Here’s another thing to consider. Scuffing with ScotchBrite or similar removes material. So you need to consider that over time, even if you’re just lightly scuffing the surface. Do it enough over time, you might remove too much material to be safe. Maybe a bit extreme, but just thinking out loud. Polishing doesn’t remove material, it just pushes it around.

[Archer39J]

Ah, my bad. That's something to consider too for sure. Ideally I could just do it once and let it be. Might make up some coupons and leave them out to weather, I certainly have enough time.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

But you know, it can’t hurt to do it once and see how you like it. If you don’t, then you’re already prepped for primer! 😊

[Archer39J]

Yeah that was my thinking too

[Bcone1381]

Watch the EAA Hint for Homebuilders linked below. I've wondered using ACF-50 or CorrosionX as a cleaner might be the solution that you seek. This video has made me re-evaluate painting the wings, using it as a cleaner on a regular basis as a protectant/cleaner. What I don't know is if the corrosionX will act as a contaminate for paint if one chooses to paint at a later date.

goo.gl/rzHCTf

[Glenn Patterson]

I would think that the scuffed aluminum would turn a dull grey and would not be able to hold its original natural metal color. Best just to keep it shiny & waxed if it is bare metal. A clear coat urethane would need surface prep that would discolor the aluminum. The nice thing about a tough paint is that it is relatively maintenance free. We waxed our painted surfaces and it is easy to clean.

If the aluminum is kept shiny and a person gives up on trying to make it shiny then it is easy to remove the wax & prep it for paint. If the aluminum is scuffed to look like a brushed nickel and waxed then that is a rough surface that is contaminated. Trying to clean up the roughed up contaminated metal for paint to properly bond may be a challenge if one decided to go to paint.

[whee]

Watch the EAA Hint for Homebuilders linked below. I've wondered using ACF-50 or CorrosionX as a cleaner might be the solution that you seek. This video has made me re-evaluate painting the wings, using it as a cleaner on a regular basis as a protectant/cleaner. What I don't know is if the corrosionX will act as a contaminate for paint if one chooses to paint at a later date.

goo.gl/rzHCTf

It will. If you try to paint bare aluminum after treating it with ACF50 or CorrosionX you almost certainly will have areas of flaking paint. This typically occurs at the lap joints because the anti-corrosion goo oozes out of the joints forever.

[Archer39J]

I would think that the scuffed aluminum would turn a dull grey and would not be able to hold its original natural metal color. Best just to keep it shiny & waxed if it is bare metal. A clear coat urethane would need surface prep that would discolor the aluminum. The nice thing about a tough paint is that it is relatively maintenance free. We waxed our painted surfaces and it is easy to clean.

If the aluminum is kept shiny and a person gives up on trying to make it shiny then it is easy to remove the wax & prep it for paint. If the aluminum is scuffed to look like a brushed nickel and waxed then that is a rough surface that is contaminated. Trying to clean up the roughed up contaminated metal for paint to properly bond may be a challenge if one decided to go to paint.

If I were to make a sample is there a rattle can product I could use. I take it they don't make self-etching clear coats? I know very little about paint it that's not obvious

[Battson]

There are flying Bearhawks which are a mixture of silver fabric and painted wings, photos are around. They would help you decide whether or not that look is for you.

[Archer39J]

There are flying Bearhawks which are a mixture of silver fabric and painted wings, photos are around. They would help you decide whether or not that look is for you.

I've seen these, that's actually the opposite of what I'm going for here.

[Battson]

I've seen these, that's actually the opposite of what I'm going for here.

There are others around with a painted body in colour with silver metal wings, is that what you have in mind?