Cockpit Painting - Part 2

What dose the picture at the side say - it has to be painted to proceed.

Rudder Pedal

As the only upholstery in a Tucano is paint therefore it's important that the painting be undertaken at the correct point to allow assembly to proceed. If left to late it requires masking and removal of installed hardware so with the side panels finished and work piling up it was decided that it's time.

The real choice was the color. My initial thoughts were to use Wayttyl SLS primer in the pale grey coated with acrylic gloss. This in fact was the combination that was used on the sticks with good results but the RS Warbird cockpit with RAF camouflage scheme just kept screaming "pick me!" and I had to listen.

The die was cast.

RS Warbirds custom cockpit

A number products were tried but the only color that was close was from Wattyl in a Epoxy Single Pack Enamel. It was decided "Machinery Grey" was the correct color and four [4] tins were purchased. 

All the cockpit walls were already in the etch primer it was expected to cover well. The primer was lightly rubbed with fine sanding pads, scouring pads, wiped with wax & grease remover then dried with a clean cloth. The spray paint was placed in the sun for about an hour to warm up, then the painting began at the firewall and stopped at the baggage compartment bulkhead. A drop sheet was applied over the top of the cockpit and the area allowed to dry until tack free, about eight [8] hours. Once the cover was removed a smooth high gloss was revealed. This paint requires 24 hours or longer to dry and in any thicker areas it may take a week or more.

With the paint dry, assembly of the rudder pedals and other hardware can now proceed. The downside is all new brackets, panels have to be fully painted before installation with the associated drying time. 

Panel
Grey was quite a rebel color when used 20 years ago so is black the new grey?  With the a "Spitano" theme black fit's, so a satin black finish for the panel and top side cockpit frame is appropriate.