the new year

[Gil Kinzie]

Hi, in response to a wake up call from Johan, I thought I would tell what I have been up to on my 15.  
I have been stripping it for refinishing. Ugg what a process.  I don't believe mine has ever been stripped and it has crazing in the gel all the way into the resin layer next to the gel.  I have the tailfeathers done and in filler primer and the top of the left wing almost ready for primer.  I am using Prestec's polyester system of filler primer and top coat.  I am currently estimating a 500 hour project and hope to have energy enough to install the center tow hook.

Johan suggusted I shoot pictures and I will try to do that as digital cameras come available.

more later,
Happy New Year
Gil 15# 15133

[Terry Fagg]

Pardon my ignorance but is gel coat crazing a major 15 problem?  The 15 i used to fly was pretty bad even when it was less than 10 yrs old. I have seen a lot of discussion on this matter.

[Gil Kinzie]

I have heard that crazing is very common on the 15's.  That the material used  at the time had a pretty short life span.  The crazing in mine is very deep and taking quite a bit of elbow grease to get it off without getting into the glass.  It has also been painted over with polyester filler and urathane.  I believe this made it worse over time.  The crazing is almost completely cosmetic, and older planes need sweetening anyway  so don't let it scare you away too bad.