STD Libelle Restoration Reccomendations

On Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 11:31:43 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Hello All,

I recently bought a Standard Libelle and would like some guidance/recommendations/ideas/etc if you guys would be so kind. Below is basically a list of things I would like some help with and the overall status of the glider as it sits.

1) Recommendations for epoxy, primer, and polyurethane topcoat brands. I see a lot of recommendations for a PPG Durathane but I haven't found a source for buying the real stuff. I plan on sanding down to the first hint of green glass and building the glider up.
2) Any of you libelle owners have a spare canopy or a mold laying around? Or any other libelle parts...
3) Panel wise, the glider already has a mechanical and total energy vario.. I have space for 2 more gauges, but don't plan on adding any of the fancy stuff unless I find a spectacular deal. Might remake the panel as it is a little scrappy as it is.
4) Any ideas?

Anything is appreciated. I am new to the airplane ownership club.


Happy landings,

Congrats on your new ship. I'm on my second Std Libelle project.
First- seriously consider refinishing. This is a big job and many are abandoned out of fatigue and frustration. About 1/2 a day into the project the standard comment is "there must be an easier way to do this". There isn't. It takes a lot of hours. We've done this a bunch of times and take about 400 hours to do a refinish.
If the finish is not badly cracked and crazed, consider sanding and polishing the existing finish to extend the useful life. My 201 is 48 years old and the wings are still very good with no cracking. The original Scwaballack finish held up really well. It is also a bitch to sand off.
If you do bite off refinish, do in stages. Fuselage or wings first, then the balance.
Most refinishers use PPG Concept acrylic urethane. There are other options, but this is the most commonly used.
Look at Richard's blog on the topic. It is very informative.
Good luck
UH