A Novel Fuel Proofing Idea

[Andy Stephenson]

This guy on RCG has an interesting idea for fuel-proofing paint...

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4716997-How-Too-Make-Paint-Fuelproof

[Don Fry]

If you want to colour epoxy resins, there are gel coat colour pots. Mix with resin, to produce what colour you want. Loads on Google, colour additives for epoxy resins.

 

gel coat is the outside colour face of a (boat hull or whatever), and designed to not effect the chemical stability of epoxy resins.  Be aware, specify epoxy. Polyester or vinyl ester resin colours are not compatible with epoxy. 

[Engine Doctor]

Humrol enamel or cellulose paints also work. Pre mix the epoxy and then add the paint to colour Obviously only use enough to colour it a . 

Worked ok for me over the years . Just make sure to mix epoxy correctly.  It amazing over the years how many models ive bought in or repaired for people that have rubber like epoxy due ti inncorrect mixing.

[EGB 953]

Would you thin the epoxy as well?

[J D 8 - Moderator]

My oldest model was built in 1972 as a free flight then spent many years as an attic queen until fifteen or so years ago RC was fitted with a throttled PAW 1.5 in place of the old DC Saber. Couple of years ago  I decided the oil encrusted nose and engine needed a sort out/clean up.

 I was pleasantly surprised to find the Matador's wood work still in good order and solid underneath the layer of two part car filler I had used as proofer.😁

[Don Fry]

1 hour ago, EGB 953 said:

Would you thin the epoxy as well?

You can thin as well, note it affects colour density. I thin using propan2ol (isopropanol). Other thinners exist, but I don’t bother with stuff not on the recommended lists. 
in fairness, if I’m doing experimental paint jobs, (this thread is becoming interesting, I’ve got an all sheeted hack, glassed, awaiting finishing), and I’ll mix some samples, and apply on a test piece.

[Engine Doctor]

18 hours ago, Don Fry said:

You can thin as well, note it affects colour density. I thin using propan2ol (isopropanol). Other thinners exist, but I don’t bother with stuff not on the recommended lists. 
in fairness, if I’m doing experimental paint jobs, (this thread is becoming interesting, I’ve got an all sheeted hack, glassed, awaiting finishing), and I’ll mix some samples, and apply on a test piece.

Hi Don As you say other thinners exist for epoxy . I Cleaned up some mixing dishes  and tools after using epoxy using cellulose thinners some years ago . I put the dish to onside  intending to dispose of it in an old container but forgot a day or so later the cellulose thinner had evaporated and left was a thick section of epoxy resin set up hard .

it also works on polyester resins if they need thinning. Southern Model craft also sold methanol to thin epoxy that worked well . Since then Ive also used methylated spirit . It seems most solvents that are miscible with the mixed epoxy will work . What the long term effect of thinning epoxy is I dont know but its held up on all the stuff Ive kept over the years .

As for using it to make an epoxy finishing paint I have no idea and just mixed paint with epoxy to make joins in already covered parts look better .

[Don Fry]

No arguments, I steer  clear of meths, it varies from one supplier to another and have had suboptimal results. But if your bottle works,………..