9/8/98 AC 43.
13-1B
CHAPTER 1. WOOD STRUCTURE
SECTION 5. FINISHING WOOD STRUCTURES
1-64. GENERAL. Any repair to spars, ribs, 1-66. PRECAUTIONS.
skin surfaces, or other structural parts of the
airframe involves finishing as the final step of a. When making repairs, avoid exces-
the job. The surface finish is the final line of sive contamination of surfaces with adhesive
defense to prevent the destructive effects of squeeze-out at joints and on all surfaces. Ex-
moisture entry into the structure. The time and cess adhesive should always be removed be-
effort spent during the preparatory phase of the fore applying finish. Because many paints and
refinishing process will be reflected in the ap- adhesives are incompatible, even a slight
pearance and longevity of the finished surface. amount of adhesive underneath the finish may
Adherence to the instructions issued by the cause premature deterioration of the finish.
finish manufacturer is necessary to obtain the
appearance desired and protective characteris- b. Soiling substances, such as oil and
tics for the product used. The primary objec- grease, should be removed as completely as
tive of interior finishes is to afford protection possible. Naphtha may be used to remove sur-
of the wood against serious change in moisture face deposits of oil and grease; however,
content when exposed to damp air or to water thinned residue may penetrate into any unpro-
that gains entrance to closed spaces by conden- tected wood. In areas where minor amounts of
sation or by penetration of rain, mist, or fog. oil or grease have penetrated the wood surface,
Coatings, on contact areas between wood and removal may be accomplished by use of an ab-
metal protect the metal against corrosion from sorbent type of cleaner such as gunsmith's
moisture in the wood. The primary objectives whiting or a clothing spot lifter such as K2r.
of the exterior finish are to protect the wood Marks that are made by grease pencils or lum-
against weathering, provide a suitable appear- ber crayons containing wax are harmful and
ance, and present a smooth surface in flight. should be removed, but marks made by ordi-
nary soft graphite pencils and nonoily stamp
1-65. ACCEPTABLE FINISHES. Any pad inks may be safely finished over. All dust,
varnish conforming to Federal Specification dirt, and other solid particles should be
TT-V-109, as amended, or other coating ap- removed.
proved by the airframe manufacturer or the
FAA is acceptable. Exterior surfaces must be c. Sawdust, shavings, and chips must be
further protected from the effects of abrasion, removed from enclosed spaces before they are
weather, and sunlight. A number of systems sealed off by replacement of skin. A vacuum
for exterior finishing have STC approval and cleaner is useful for such cleaning.
are manufactured under a PMA. (See Chap-
ter 2, Fabric Covering.) Low viscosity epoxy d. Since most adhesives will not bond
adhesive (meeting the requirements of para- satisfactorily to sealers, it is necessary to avoid
graph 1-4 for that purpose) may be used as an applying sealer over the areas where adhesive
internal surface finish when subsequent bond- will be applied. Mark off areas to receive ad-
ing is necessary. hesive, and allow an additional 1/4 inch on
each side of the adhesive area to provide for
Par 1-64 Page 1-35
CHAPTER 1. WOOD STRUCTURE
AC 43.13-1B SECTION 5. FINISHING WOOD STRUCTURES 9/8/98
misalignment when mating the parts. It is abrasion, weather, and sunlight. (See chap-
preferable to leave some unsealed areas rather ter 2.) Tests have shown that the interior tem-
than risk weakening the joint by accidental perature of wooden aircraft structures can
overlap of the sealer into the bonded areas. reach 185 F when the aircraft is finished in a
Wherever possible, apply sealer to the margins dark color and parked outdoors on a hot, still
after the adhesive has cured. As an example, day. Exposure to prolonged high temperature
the lower skin of a wing bay would be in- is detrimental to wood, adhesives, and finishes.
stalled first, leaving access from above to ap- Wood loses approximately 25 percent of its
ply sealer. All low spots (where moisture strength at 125 F. For this reason, the me-
would collect) are well sealed. The top skin chanic should consider temperature effects
would be installed last, so that the only un- when selecting finish colors or looking for ar-
sealed margins would be on upper surfaces eas of likely deterioration. The lowest tem-
where moisture is least likely to collect. peratures are found when the aircraft is fin-
ished in white or very light colors, while
e. An alternative to the previous para- darker colors produce higher temperatures. A
graph is to use an approved epoxy coating and general trend toward higher temperatures may
compatible epoxy adhesive. Apply the coat- be seen when exterior colors are yellow, pink,
ing, allowing 1/4 inch margins as in the previ- light blue, aluminum, purple, blue, light green,
ous paragraph. After the coating has cured, orange, tan, red, green, brown, and black. A
apply epoxy adhesive to joint surfaces, and lighter shade of a particular color helps to re-
overlap the adhesive onto the sealer. Close duce temperatures.
joint and clamp. The epoxy adhesive will
bond satisfactorily to the coating and ensure a 1-69. FINISHING OF END GRAIN SUR-
complete coverage of the wood surfaces. Use FACES. End grain portions of wooden mem-
only approved and compatible adhesives and bers are much more absorbent than side grain.
coatings for this method. Because of this extreme vulnerability to mois-
ture entry, it is necessary to take extra precau-
1-67. FINISHING OF INTERIOR SUR- tions to seal end grain.
FACES. Finish repaired ribs, spars, interior of
plywood skin, and other internal members, in- a. Apply at least one thinned coat of ac-
cluding areas of contact between metal and ceptable sealer to ensure maximum penetra-
wood, by applying one thinned coat (for pene- tion, and then follow with as many full
tration into wood grain) of varnish or other ac- strength coats as necessary to achieve a
ceptable finish, followed by two full coats. smooth, glossy coating. Depending on the
Protect built-up box spars and similar closed type wood to be finished, two to four full coats
structures on the interior in the same way. will be required. A final coat of aluminized
Where better protection is required, as on the varnish may be applied to end grain surfaces.
surfaces of wheel wells and the bottoms of If the surfaces are to be finished with dope or
hulls below the floor boards, an additional coat lacquer, a dope-proof sealer, similar to Federal
of aluminized sealer consisting of 12 to Specification TT-V-109, or epoxy sealer
16 ounces of aluminum paste per gallon of should be used.
sealer, may be applied.
b. Exposed end grain includes such sur-
1-68. FINISHING OF EXTERIOR SUR- faces as spar butts, skin edges, areas around
FACES. Exterior surfaces require more pro- vent holes, inspection holes, fittings, and ex-
tection than interior areas due to the effects of posed scarfed or tapered surfaces.
Page 1-36 Par 1-66
CHAPTER 1. WOOD STRUCTURE
9/8/98 AC 43.13-1B
SECTION 5. FINISHING WOOD STRUCTURES
1-70. FINISHING WITH FABRIC OR proper penetration, and at least one spray coat
TAPE. A number of systems for exterior fin- of clear dope. The dried spray coat may be
ishing have STC approval and are manufac- sanded with fine sandpaper to obtain a
tured under a PMA. Follow the product manu- smoother finish. Complete the refinishing of
facturer's instructions for the system used. the surface by application of a topcoat as re-
quired to match the adjacent area.
a. If the finish surrounding the repair is
a traditional dope system, seal the wood grain 1-71. SEALING OF BOLT HOLES. Bolt
with a suitable solvent resistant one-part var- holes in wooden structure provide a vulnerable
nish, commonly described as dope proof, or entry point for moisture. Variations in mois-
a two-part epoxy varnish. Follow with two ture content around bolt holes can lead to de-
coats of clear dope, and allow sufficient drying cay or splitting. In addition, excessive mois-
time between coats. ture at bolt holes promotes corrosion of the
bolts. Sealing of the wood surfaces in bolt
b. Apply a third coat of clear dope and holes can be accomplished by application of
lay a piece of pinked-edge airplane cloth into varnish or other acceptable sealer into the open
the wet film. All air bubbles should be worked hole. The sealer must be allowed to dry or
out by brushing to ensure maximum adhesion. cure thoroughly prior to bolt installation.
When dry, apply one brush coat, to ensure
1-79. [RESERVED.]
1-72.
Par 1-70 Page 1-37 (and 1-38)
