5/17/2006
Busy night. I installed the nutplates for attaching the aft cabin side covers to the floors and the nutplates for attaching the flap blocks/ I partially riveted the right rear seat hinge to the outside floor. I then vacuumed the inside and then clecoed the aft floors in place. Then I bolted down the flap blocks. I then marked centerlines on the arm rests, clamped them into position and then drilled and clecoed them to the skins.
Whew. A lot of work. I have fallen into a routine where I do my "thinking" for the day at work during lunch and then my "doing" after dinner. My thinks I will be starting with dimpling arm rests tomorrow.
I am almost out of Alodine. I have used it thorough the project but I am coming to the conclusion that the only thing I am accomplishing with it is creating a health risk. I believe Alodine has chromium which is a carcinogen.
Since I am already etching everything and then coating it with an epoxy primer, what purpose could Alodine serve? It is claimed to promote better paint adhesion. My non-expert opinion is that the phosphoric acid etch is more than adequate. I have also heard that it increases the conductivity of whatever it is applied to. 2024 already makes a good enough Faraday cage. I don't need a superconductor for the ground path for the landing lights, position lights, etc.
Besides, I can't get good results with Alodine without complete immersion. I am not about to set up a permanent trough with many gallons of a known carcinogen. The trough would have to be huge if it were to be used for skins. I can't get good results by just applying Alodine to the surfaces with a squirt bottle or a rag. I don't get the rich golden color. Mine looks like splotches.
I might be way off base but I have decided I am not going to mess with it anymore.