Polishing Your Airplane? Tell Us of All Your Procedures, Tricks, Tips and Photos - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-29T05:33:34Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/polishing-your-airplane-tell-us-of-all-your-procedures-trick-tips?commentId=2606393%3AComment%3A623810&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI am using Zephyr Airway buff…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-03:2606393:Comment:8630432022-03-03T18:52:28.404ZPeter Eibergerhttps://zenith.aero/profile/PeterEiberger
<p>I am using Zephyr Airway buffing wheels to "cut in" the rivet lines, longerons and any tight areas near an edge, then going back through with the Nuvite and a wool compounding pad for the open areas. </p>
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<p>The Zephyr Airway wheels polish on the edge of the wheel, and they polish the rivet areas better than the wool pads that get torn up by the rivets. On the Cruzer, the thin strip between the door and the rear window with two lines of rivets is a pretty tough piece to do with a…</p>
<p>I am using Zephyr Airway buffing wheels to "cut in" the rivet lines, longerons and any tight areas near an edge, then going back through with the Nuvite and a wool compounding pad for the open areas. </p>
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<p>The Zephyr Airway wheels polish on the edge of the wheel, and they polish the rivet areas better than the wool pads that get torn up by the rivets. On the Cruzer, the thin strip between the door and the rear window with two lines of rivets is a pretty tough piece to do with a wool pad and Nuvite. The Zephyr is also really good in tight corners or along an edge (like the window openings).</p>
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<p>The Nuvite does a better job of the open areas of skin between rivet lines (no stiffeners underneath) as it works a larger area with less pressure. </p>
<p></p> I have been using the Nuvite…tag:zenith.aero,2018-04-12:2606393:Comment:6238102018-04-12T20:50:15.990ZGary Welchhttps://zenith.aero/profile/GaryWelch
<p>I have been using the Nuvite system with the final polishing done with a cyclo polisher. </p>
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<p>Last weekend was the first time I had to leave my plane out in the rain. It hated the thought because it had a beautiful shine on it and I imagined the rain would water-spot the heck out of it. It ended up raining for two days. </p>
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<p>When I got out to the airport to look at the plane I was shocked. There wasn't a spot on it! No water marks or streaks at all. It looked exactly…</p>
<p>I have been using the Nuvite system with the final polishing done with a cyclo polisher. </p>
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<p>Last weekend was the first time I had to leave my plane out in the rain. It hated the thought because it had a beautiful shine on it and I imagined the rain would water-spot the heck out of it. It ended up raining for two days. </p>
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<p>When I got out to the airport to look at the plane I was shocked. There wasn't a spot on it! No water marks or streaks at all. It looked exactly the same as before the rain, though it probably had a light coating of dust.</p>
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<p>This really surprised me because I have heard a number of comments about rain causing water spotting on polished planes.</p>
<p> </p> Here's what mine looked like…tag:zenith.aero,2018-04-12:2606393:Comment:6236332018-04-12T15:29:30.228ZPatrick Hoythttps://zenith.aero/profile/PatrickHoyt
<p>Here's what mine looked like after 2+ years without polishing. I was suprised how well it held up.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.zenith.aero/photo/20180406-162151" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.zenith.aero/photo/20180406-162151" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Under the Dirt</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.zenith.aero/photo/20180406-162621?context=user" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Top Rear Skin…</a></p>
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<p>Here's what mine looked like after 2+ years without polishing. I was suprised how well it held up.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.zenith.aero/photo/20180406-162151" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.zenith.aero/photo/20180406-162151" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Under the Dirt</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.zenith.aero/photo/20180406-162621?context=user" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top Rear Skin</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.zenith.aero/photo/20180406-162642?context=user" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tail</a></p>
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<p>I used Nuvite F9, and then Nuvite C just on the areas I wanted to stand out. Last time I polished it was when I lived in MN, and I've been living in TX for 2 years now...</p>
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<p>- Pat</p>
<p></p> I too using Nuvite. Worked l…tag:zenith.aero,2017-12-08:2606393:Comment:6020022017-12-08T16:11:34.383ZByers Colemanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/ByersColeman
<p>I too using Nuvite. Worked like a champ. Also cleaned up microfiber towels lickey split.</p>
<p>Did rinse out<span style="font-size: 13px;"> pads in hot water and dish soap first and through rinse in clean water after soaking over nite.</span></p>
<p>I too using Nuvite. Worked like a champ. Also cleaned up microfiber towels lickey split.</p>
<p>Did rinse out<span style="font-size: 13px;"> pads in hot water and dish soap first and through rinse in clean water after soaking over nite.</span></p> Good idea there. I have a po…tag:zenith.aero,2017-12-07:2606393:Comment:6018762017-12-07T13:15:14.715ZPatrick Hoythttps://zenith.aero/profile/PatrickHoyt
<p>Good idea there. I have a polished airplane, and a lot of people say "we could tell it was you right away". It gets tons of attention.</p>
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<p>If I were to do it again, I'd polish everything that isn't in line-of-sight of the cabin, and paint the leading edges of things like cowls & wings a bright color, and paint stuff black that is prone to reflecting in your eyes (like the area around the rivet line on the top spar cap of a 601).</p>
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<p>Patrick…</p>
<p>Good idea there. I have a polished airplane, and a lot of people say "we could tell it was you right away". It gets tons of attention.</p>
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<p>If I were to do it again, I'd polish everything that isn't in line-of-sight of the cabin, and paint the leading edges of things like cowls & wings a bright color, and paint stuff black that is prone to reflecting in your eyes (like the area around the rivet line on the top spar cap of a 601).</p>
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<p>Patrick Hoyt</p>
<p>N63PZ</p>
<p></p> What kind of polish are you u…tag:zenith.aero,2017-12-07:2606393:Comment:6016742017-12-07T06:45:59.923ZGary Welchhttps://zenith.aero/profile/GaryWelch
<p>What kind of polish are you using? I used Nuvite so I'm wondering if the Oxi will work for me.</p>
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<p>TIA</p>
<p>What kind of polish are you using? I used Nuvite so I'm wondering if the Oxi will work for me.</p>
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<p>TIA</p> I am going for a hybrid appro…tag:zenith.aero,2017-12-06:2606393:Comment:6018602017-12-06T23:00:45.185ZJohn M Greinerhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnMGreiner
<p>I am going for a hybrid approach, but I picked some challenging parts.</p>
<p>I am going to accent my plane with polished pieces, ie chrome look.</p>
<p>The leading edge slats - probably a nightmare to do compared to most areas.</p>
<p>All flight controls, Elevator, Rudder, and Flaperons.</p>
<p>The idea is it will have chrome accents that complement the white, blue and black paint scheme, but more importantly, will give reflective properties for other traffic as I fly around, hopefully just…</p>
<p>I am going for a hybrid approach, but I picked some challenging parts.</p>
<p>I am going to accent my plane with polished pieces, ie chrome look.</p>
<p>The leading edge slats - probably a nightmare to do compared to most areas.</p>
<p>All flight controls, Elevator, Rudder, and Flaperons.</p>
<p>The idea is it will have chrome accents that complement the white, blue and black paint scheme, but more importantly, will give reflective properties for other traffic as I fly around, hopefully just drawing their attention, not blinding them.</p> I decided to polish my 650 so…tag:zenith.aero,2017-12-06:2606393:Comment:6016572017-12-06T22:09:06.157ZByers Colemanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/ByersColeman
<p>I decided to polish my 650 so took a short break from metal work to polish assemblies as I go. Will attempt to polish wing skins before assembly.</p>
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<p>Found effortless way to clean compounding pads. Put in bucket. Cover with hot water, add two tablespoons of Oxi Clean powder,. Swish around, let stand overnight. Effortless!</p>
<p>I decided to polish my 650 so took a short break from metal work to polish assemblies as I go. Will attempt to polish wing skins before assembly.</p>
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<p>Found effortless way to clean compounding pads. Put in bucket. Cover with hot water, add two tablespoons of Oxi Clean powder,. Swish around, let stand overnight. Effortless!</p> tag:zenith.aero,2017-10-02:2606393:Comment:5904532017-10-02T10:45:05.359ZByers Colemanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/ByersColeman
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<p></p> Everything Gary says above is…tag:zenith.aero,2017-08-29:2606393:Comment:5858632017-08-29T14:41:20.361ZCarl Ortonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/CarlOrton
<p>Everything Gary says above is true. Especially the part about experimenting. Sometimes I'd use too little polish in an effort to get it to clear-off sooner, only to be disappointed. I had great results with the S grade of NuVite, but I have a Cyclo polisher.</p>
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<p>There's an old saying that everyone wants a polished plane, but no one has more than one! I built a Sonex and polished the entire airframe. It's a real pain to maintain it - so much so that I frequently let it drop far…</p>
<p>Everything Gary says above is true. Especially the part about experimenting. Sometimes I'd use too little polish in an effort to get it to clear-off sooner, only to be disappointed. I had great results with the S grade of NuVite, but I have a Cyclo polisher.</p>
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<p>There's an old saying that everyone wants a polished plane, but no one has more than one! I built a Sonex and polished the entire airframe. It's a real pain to maintain it - so much so that I frequently let it drop far below show-quality. Yet when it shines, hooo baby it SHINES! Of course, in sunny climes you could feel yourself starting to burn from the reflected sun.</p>
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<p>I'm at the very early stages of building a Cruzer (as in, I only have the plans, but intend to order the kit). It will be painted.</p>
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