Corrosion on floats

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tazin river
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Corrosion on floats

Post by tazin river »

Hello folks

Pulled the plane out of the lake for the winter. Looks like there is a bit of corrosion on the floats. What is the best way to scrape it off ? Very light sand paper? What sort of anti corrosion stuff should I apply on the floats after?

Cheers
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photofly
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Re: Corrosion on floats

Post by photofly »

The usual treatment for aircraft structures is to remove the corrosion with nylon Scotch-brite pads. Don’t use sandpaper. Then alumiprep (now called BONDERITE C-IC 33) and Alodine 1201 (now called BONDERITE M-CR 1201). M-CR 1101 is clear coloured after application instead of yellow/gold.

Make sure to use gloves and keep it away from your skin - it’s a chemical chromate (VI) process and as Wikipedia points out, “While chromium metal and Cr(III) ions are not considered toxic, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is toxic and carcinogenic.”

You could instead use M-CR 1132 which comes in a no-rinse pen applicator. Keep that off your skin too.

I don’t know if there are any environmental concerns with Chromate (VI) in applications where it’s put into water though.
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Piston Power
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Re: Corrosion on floats

Post by Piston Power »

Hello,

The Wipline service manual provides the following information...

"Light corrosion may be removed by light hand sanding or chromic acid. Moderate and severe corrosion (blistering, flaking, pitting) may be removed by heavy sanding or grinding, and applying chromic acid. No more than 1/3rd the thickness of the skin material should be removed before complete replacement or reinforcement of an area is necessary. After removing the corroded area, restore area to original finish (prime and enamel). BORESHIELD T9, Corrosion X or ACF-50 may also be applied to stop corrosion. Refer to manufacturer's instructions for application instructions."

If you have Edo, PK, or other brand floats they may have their own service instructions, but I would imagine they wouldn't be much different than what is printed above.

Hope it helps and best of luck.
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cramer604
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Re: Corrosion on floats

Post by cramer604 »

:lol:
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