Aluminum/Magnesium Etching Product, PreKote

Bartman

Bartman

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Hi all,

Have been trying to get the parts for my project's tailwheel cleaned up and primed so they can be put away while I move on to the next stuff. Stewart Systems makes a very easy to use aluminum etcher (EkoEtch) but the tailwheel halves are magnesium so EkoEtch won't work on them. Found PreKote on the aircraft spruce site and ordered a quart. It's easy enough to use, seems to lather up as advertised and the magnesium looked nice and clean. It's used with an "aluminum oxide abrasive pad" which those of us in the Stewart Systems ecosphere know as red scotchbrite pads, so they're on hand and work well.

An important detail, after etching don't paint with an etching primer.

Here's the link
 
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You are a good restorer. My tailwheels are lucky to get a coat of rattle can gray once a decade.

I have now graduated to the API tailwheel on the Cubs. Not yet ready to try it on the Dec. it comes plated and polished - just make a friction washer for it and bolt it on for under $300. The etchant and Stewarts paintprobably costs a significant fraction of that.

Are you saying that the Scott 3200 is magnesium? Fork too?
 
Bob Turner said:
You are a good restorer. My tailwheels are lucky to get a coat of rattle can gray once a decade.

I have now graduated to the API tailwheel on the Cubs. Not yet ready to try it on the Dec. it comes plated and polished - just make a friction washer for it and bolt it on for under $300. The etchant and Stewarts paintprobably costs a significant fraction of that.

Are you saying that the Scott 3200 is magnesium? Fork too?
Click to expand...

the fork and the base are aluminum, the wheel halves are magnesium although there is an aluminum wheel assembly available also.
 
Good to know. I keep spares with tires attached - they get pretty gnarly after a flat tire, especially if you try to taxi clear of the runway/taxiway.
 
Anyone using an API tailwheel on their 7AC? The Champ I bought had one that worked great but when the annual came up, the AI's at my airport told me that the API tailwheels were not authorized for the Champ. I changed to a Scott.
 
We are using them on Cubs with a logbook entry. Tailwheels have no TSO. See the definition of minor alteration.

One thing I have found necessary - I place a reinforced plastic washer at the bottom of the kingpin to add damping. That way the nut can be used to alter the friction just enough to prevent shimmy. These things work great.

I also change the axle so a C-150 towbar fits.

May someday try it on the Decathlon.
 
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