Deons CH 750 Project (Was Conrads)

[cross_wind]

This is the photo from the build manual - mine looks better!

[Scotsman]

Hi Conrad, nice to see the progress you are making. What are you spraying with, how much does it cost and where do you get it from? I need to spray interior pretty much now. Any suggestions appreciated.

[cross_wind]

I am using Plascon APU 107 Acryline Etch Primer, diluted with 2K thinners at about 30%. Most panelbeathers will sell you this, but I buy my painting supplies from Jo's Automotive in Benoni (R 550 for 5 liters). You also need Acrylic Solvent (R 240 for 5 liters) and 3M Scouring Pads (R 190 per box). A great tip that works well for me is to scour the aluminium with the 3M pad and MEK (wet). General thinners also works well. If you want to call them 011 421 8911.

[cross_wind]

Almost forgot - when I started spraying, I didn't know you need to turn down the pressure on your compressor (I was painting at about 6 bar) - blows the parts off the table and uses way too much paint. I find that 2 bar is ideal.

[cross_wind]

Elevator finished and tucked away for final assembly!

[cross_wind]

My nice clean workshop is a mess again - started building the wing.

[cross_wind]

My nice clean workshop is a mess again - started building the wing.

[cross_wind]

These freaking brackets take forever and I have to make 8 of them!

[cross_wind]

Bracket close-up.

[maxmart0]

Your progress is looking good! My chances of keeping up with your project are starting to look slim Are the photoguides you are following from the Zenith builders page, or did you get them with the kit? Maybe I'm missing something, but there seems to be a huge amount of important info missing from the photo guides on the updates page. Im finding you can follow the build sequence on a particular part to the letter, and maybe they tell you to remove the cleco's then drill and rivet. Then in a far later stage of build, you see the same parts they referred to earlier unriveted. ??? All good tho, coz I dont think Ive had so much constructive fun in years

[Scotsman]

Thanks for the advice Conrad...will check it out.

[cross_wind]

Your progress is looking good! My chances of keeping up with your project are starting to look slim Are the photoguides you are following from the Zenith builders page, or did you get them with the kit? Maybe I'm missing something, but there seems to be a huge amount of important info missing from the photo guides on the updates page. Im finding you can follow the build sequence on a particular part to the letter, and maybe they tell you to remove the cleco's then drill and rivet. Then in a far later stage of build, you see the same parts they referred to earlier unriveted. ??? All good tho, coz I dont think Ive had so much constructive fun in years

I had the same experience. I find that reading the whole section before I start helps me plan ahead (and watching the video). There are contradictions everywhere i.e. the photo guide will show the rib flanges pointing outboard and the plans inboard, the video shows the elevator nose skin being installed under the trailing skin and the manual over. I guess you just have to follow Zeniths instructions - follow the plans! Phil is off to the Zenith factory this week for 8 days and will be passing on these type of comments to Sebastian. From discussions with other 750/701 builders, it seems the manual for the 701 is way better than the 750 manual - the 750 is new and they are updating it and the kit as they go. My suggestion to Zenith is to redo the photos on a 750 they are actually building. They seem to cleco together parts for illustration purposes only. It would also be nice to have 2 manuals - one for the guys who are planning on priming and one for the guys who are not. Another arrrgggg moment is when I made up 8 brackets for the wing nose ribs following the manuals specific instruction to measure the drill holes from the left of the L bracket - they forgot that that is only for the left hand wing and the holes need to be measured from the right of the bracket for the right hand wing - so tonight I have to make 4 more brackets.

Be that as it may, I am still loving the build.

[Tumbleweed]

If you're not done spraying yet, finish off with a coat of Acryline clear for an amazing gloss wet look.

[Air Hog]

Come on Conrad, keep us posted.

[cross_wind]

Will post update tonight. I have to sit and resize some photos. I should finish the wing skeleton tonight!