Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Great looking booth ! I tried going that route, except I used a HF portable garage outside in the driveway. Sealed it all off and installed filters and an exhaust fan. The problem I ran into was having enough light (even in the summer sun) and room to move ! The other limiting factor was the fresh air breathing system and the hood they supplied. The hood was very restrictive (vision wise) and having to move around 2 hoses ( one for the gun and one for the fresh air system ) it was difficult to move around and not drag the hoses across the parts to be painted in the enclosed space. Even with the large size of the "portable garage" it really wasn't large enough for the big pieces (wings) and the fus. really would not fit. So to make this epic journey a little shorter, I decided to scrap the "portable garage" and tarp over the driveway (protect from over spray) and paint out in Mother Nature. Even outside I covered up the body and used a mask type respirator while spraying the Isocynate paint. This was a much better idea (spraying out in the open)...expecially for the fuselage. Painted in the Morning or late afternoon with little or no wind and only captured 3 or 4 bugs ( I know that's hard to believe ). The little critters wet sanded right out !
Your biggest friends during the painting will be Mr. Light and Mr. Space. [;)] You probably already have this on your list, but remember to turn off all pilot lights and other sources of ingition when painting inside. [:p]

RB

RB makes a good point. The "two hose" situation gets to be a challenge in its own right. I got the point where I would be conscious of right turns vs left turns. Too many of either and you end up with a coiled hose and or two twisted hoses. Before I became aware of the this on occasion my breather hose got kinked and I was left with no O2 ... that will get your attention!

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

One 3lb Transmitter Magnesyn Remote Indicating Compass removed, being a shrimp has it's privileges. Now I can continue stripping the remaining paint!

Chuck

Image Insert:


Put File Caption Here

_________________
Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

That Cannon plug is worth at least $25.00 ! [:p]

I dont know what you guys are using for a fresh air breathing device. But, mine has a standard male quick coupler that connects directly to the hose from my compressor. I made up a tee with a short piece of hose with a female quick coupler (to spray gun) and other outlet directly to the ventilator.

_________________
Derek Fritschle
N27DW
618-839-1522
OLY

Don't throw away that Magnesyn Compass. That compass system is ( I believe ) a war bird item (P-51/F-4U, etc). Might be able to get a few bucks for it or a least a steak dinner ! [;)] Is that gizmo AC powered by an inverter ?

RB

Your breathing aparatus should not be hooked to a shop compressor due to contaminates in the system.

_________________
Brian

I made one similar to this:

http://www.sonerai.net/CMS/index.php?op ... 6&Itemid=1

Worked pretty good. I recommend NEW hose and I bought a full mask off Ebay for $5.

I found several plastic reducing bushings that press fit together for a neater hookup to the fan. I, also, added some blue/white filter material.

Rich,

There's not an inverter in close proximity of this unit. I will be pulling the cable today and will let you know whats at the other end....peddling squirrels possibly[:D].

Chuck

_________________
Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

Brian is correct. Unless your shop compressor is rated to deliver air that is clean enough to breath, it will most likely require special filters to remove oil, dirt and bacteria.

RB

I guess I should have mentioned the unit is a sata vision. It incorporates a regulator and filter that are secured to a belt that goes around your waist.

_________________
Derek Fritschle
N27DW
618-839-1522
OLY

I guess as long as you can place some type of blower ( I've read about hair dryers being used ) away from the paint area and get a clean air source, just about anything is game. $5.00 for a full face mask is indeed a bargain ! [;)]

RB

I built a fresh air system using a squirrel cage fan, bought 50' 1" flex tube (similar to vaccum cleaner hose)from the hose and rubber supply, bought a full face mask at SnF. Attached the hose to my belt,located the blower outside.
Have anyone thought about what 120 psi, 8 atmosheres, produces in the way of toxins. One time Bob and I welded a broken leg on a compressor, pumped up to 60 psi, shut the compressor off and the pressure continued to rise, the "gas" in the tank was on fire from the weld.

When I painted my T-18 I used my shop vac. You can get some nice new/clean hose of your choice, a new/clean filter, adapt the hose to the "blower" outlet of the vac, with duct tape or whatever, and (like others have said) attach the hose to your belt or body for strain relief. It worked perfectly.

Bill - do you think that what was on fire was residual oil in the tank from the compressor? I never weld on a closed, non-vented & cleaned tank. I don't think it is the pressure creating "toxins", but the heat of welding.I may be misinterpreting what you're describing. It is true that spontaneous combustion can be instigated by high pressure.

John Evens N71JE
Arvada, CO

_________________
John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

The point was/is that there is enough junk in a compressor to catch fire. You really don't want to breathe it.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL