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Post by buzz on Sept 6, 2019 5:49:18 GMT
Just curious if anyone has had issues with bubbling paint? I have found bubbling paint on the bottom of the wing at both fuel sumps and on the top both sides where the fuel caps and the fuel level sending probes are located. I should clarify that its not right around the fuel caps but around the perimeter of the oval plate that has the fuel cap in the middle. Bubbles are at or near the rivets. Clearly there is an issue with fuel migrating past any sealing that was done. Oddly enough its worse on top where it is mostly vapor vs the bottom where it is liquid that is in contact with the tank. Anybody have this happen? Any ideas about what can be done to remedy the situation.
Thanks
Buzz |
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Post by Cluemeister on Sept 6, 2019 10:07:28 GMT
Would love to see pictures Buzz.
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Post by buzz on Sept 6, 2019 14:27:33 GMT
Yes pics to come.
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Post by Flocker on Sept 8, 2019 19:50:43 GMT
Never seen this. How old is your plane?
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Post by buzz on Sept 8, 2019 20:10:55 GMT
Never seen this. How old is your plane?    
Its a 2015 P2008. It is not real easy to see but the bubbles are there. Also all the tops of the rivets have a yellow discoloration. The bubbling is more extensive then you can see here. There are other areas adjacent to these oval plates on the wing skin where it isn't bubbled but you can see and feel the rough areas where the paint is being attacked and will probably bubble in time. Ideas? Anybody Bueller?
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Post by buzz on Sept 13, 2019 21:44:29 GMT
Update. I have been e-mailing with Josh at Tecnam US about this issue. I provided the above pics. His first impression is that the seals around the rivets and attachment points have failed. He asked if I had any indication of clogged vents to the fuel tanks. The idea being that clogged lines could cause overpressure in the tanks leading to migration out the sealed areas. He gave me some indications which none have been seen and I provided my list of observations as to why I do not think the vents are clogged. I will however check tomorrow. He has created a maintenance ticket and is forwarding all information to Capua for ideas/opinions/research. Doesn't sound like this has been seen before.....wonderful.
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Post by Flocker on Sept 14, 2019 9:40:41 GMT
Disconcerting to say the least and clearly fuel related. I'm curious as to what kind of sealing is done in these areas and why it could fail. Perhaps it was not sealed correctly in the first place...? Can you get a pic of the inside/underneath?
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Post by Glenn on Sept 15, 2019 13:30:21 GMT
Buzz,
What fuel do you use?
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Post by buzz on Sept 15, 2019 15:17:53 GMT
100LL
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robin
New Member
Posts: 2 
Home Airport: Goodwood
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Post by robin on Oct 15, 2019 10:04:29 GMT
It looks like I have a similar problem on my 2015 P2010. I’m on holiday at the moment but I have just had my Tecnam cleaned and polished and all over the top of the wings have quite a few examples of bubbling paint. The consensus is that the primer paint was not applied correctly. I will visit a paint shop next week to see how to fix it.
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TiPi
New Member
Posts: 28
Home Airport: YATN
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Post by TiPi on Oct 16, 2019 10:14:53 GMT
I have a similar problem on my P92, just around the filler neck. I haven't busted the bubbles yet but will do that when I'm ready to touch-up the wingtip repair (hangar rash). Being around the filler neck on mine, I'm nearly sure it is fuel related (premium unleaded an occasionally avgas). my P92 is 2010 manufacture but painted a couple of times (upppssses).
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Post by buzz on Oct 17, 2019 2:06:27 GMT
It looks like I have a similar problem on my 2015 P2010. I’m on holiday at the moment but I have just had my Tecnam cleaned and polished and all over the top of the wings have quite a few examples of bubbling paint. The consensus is that the primer paint was not applied correctly. I will visit a paint shop next week to see how to fix it. Hey Robin can you get some pics and post them? Would like to see what it looks like. |
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Post by buzz on Oct 17, 2019 2:07:11 GMT
I have a similar problem on my P92, just around the filler neck. I haven't busted the bubbles yet but will do that when I'm ready to touch-up the wingtip repair (hangar rash). Being around the filler neck on mine, I'm nearly sure it is fuel related (premium unleaded an occasionally avgas). my P92 is 2010 manufacture but painted a couple of times (upppssses). Can you post some pics? |
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Post by buzz on Oct 21, 2019 6:27:50 GMT
Just an update on the bubbling paint. I have been in contact with Josh at Tecnam US. He forwarded my issue to Italy. They replied back that they will cover 3 hours of labor and new rivets and provided info as to where I can get paint. That's good and I appreciate this but I was surprised that the factory wasn't more concerned about what was going on. You would think that they would be concerned about their construction practices and or quality control so that they can make changes so that this doesn't happen in the future. They asked no questions, did not ask for additional photos, or ask me to follow up with them. Anyway I took my son out to look at the issue yesterday and get his opinion. He is an A&P. All along I was sure that this was a fuel migration issue. He however brought up the idea that it could be a paint/preparation issue. If you look at the attached photo you can see what it looks like after we opened up a bubble. The good thing was we found no blue 100ll stain. However we were surprised to find bare metal under the paint. I think if the metal had been properly prepared we would be seeing some evidence of this. In addition we boroscoped one of the tanks but not really sure how much sealant we should expect to see on the bottom of the rivets.
I am really concerned about the original fix as specified by Tecnam....to drill out all affected rivets and replace. Worried that the situation could be made worse. And now that we have opened up this bubble I am not sure its a failed sealant/fuel issue. Its possible I would need to pull off all the inspection plates and the fuel sumps under the wing. This obviously would require way more than 3 hours of labor. In addition to these bubbles on the inspection plates I also have some rough areas of paint that aren't bubbles adjacent to the plates and sumps (on wing skin) that are hard and not bubbles....corrosion maybe? I really don't know what to think at this point. Maybe crappy prep before paint? My son has suggested that I take high quality photos of the affected areas on a regular basis and compare to see if there is a progression over more time. I tend to think this would be a good approach as right now there does not appear to be a flying safety issue.
Would appreciate any thoughts or ideas that you guys have.
Thanks |
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Post by buzz on Oct 21, 2019 18:37:55 GMT
Got a message back from Josh. He says that Tecnam does not use a primer or base coat on areas that receive paint, but rather they use a anti corrosion treatment. This is to save weight. Apparently this is the same with all Tecnams.
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