Sport Pilot Talk

Certificated aircraft needs the landing gear repainted due to superficial rust, can they be powder coated?
PC is tougher, lasts longer etc., legal?

Thanks, Dan

914Driver wrote:Certificated aircraft needs the landing gear repainted due to superficial rust, can they be powder coated?
PC is tougher, lasts longer etc., legal?

Thanks, Dan

First it will depend on the structure of the gear. Tube structures that have had the interior of the tubing treated can be a problem during the coating process. You will find there are many different opinions on powder coating. The biggest concern is corrosion or crack that can develop that remain hidden by the coating. Prep is also very important. I recently have done some research on the subject for a project my son is doing. If it is a steel part you will want to have it blasted, coated with a zinc rich base, followed by your top coat color choice. This means 2 coats of material. Make sure that if there are any saddles that the gear sit in that the added material thickness will not cause any problem.