Painting CF

[jfluegel]

Is there anything special you have to do to paint carbon fiber? I want to paint my tail fin and horizontal stabilizer to make them easier to see.

[rcflyerheli]

I think the main thing is to wet sand with 400 grit to break the glossy surface so the paint can adhere. The CF is encapsulated in an epoxy resin, so painting is not any different than fiberglass.

After the gloss is sanded, spray a coat of primer for the paint you are using, and sand it until it is mostly gone, then shoot your color, and clear coat if desired.

[SQRT(-2)]

Getting a bright color over black takes some skill and work. If you don't mind being quick and dirty, you can take this shortcut. I just take a piece of that monocote trimsheet (the stuff plane guys use to put stripes and such on their planes) Cut a piece bigger than the fin. Stick the fin to the sticky side and trim with a hobby knife. Repeat on the other side and put a dot of CA on the corners.