$450 buff and wax at region two (mifflin)

During the region two contest in Mifflin next week I advertising a buff and wax job to professional standards during a rain day, rest day, or over the course of a few evenings. I am skilled and knowledgeable in sailplane maintenance. If you are interested, please contact me in either a private message or email me directly at brayera (at) gmail.com

Thank you!

-ND

Having attempted this myself, I'm sure that this is a good value at $450, but being out of your area and thinking about doing this myself again this year, I'm wondering how much time a professional would allocate to buffing and waxing a painted glass glider (no gel coat damage)? I just waxed the wings last summer by hand and I got discouraged because it took me so long. If I knew how long it would take you, I might not feel so inept spending so much time (or I would feel really inept and seek professional help.)

On Monday, May 12, 2014 3:47:32 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
Having attempted this myself, I'm sure that this is a good value at $450, but being out of your area and thinking about doing this myself again this year, I'm wondering how much time a professional would allocate to buffing and waxing a painted glass glider (no gel coat damage)? I just waxed the wings last summer by hand and I got discouraged because it took me so long. If I knew how long it would take you, I might not feel so inept spending so much time (or I would feel really inept and seek professional help.)

Few people that don't do this regularly have the tools needed to do it in an effective amount of time. a reasonable answer to your question is that it very much depends on condition coming in. Most favorable, skilled person, correct tools, and good starting condition, could be as little as 2 hrs/wing. It goes up from there. It can go to 10 times that for a bad starting point.
It is tiring, boring, and discouraging, but the results can be nice.
UH

On Monday, May 12, 2014 4:17:24 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Monday, May 12, 2014 3:47:32 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:

Having attempted this myself, I'm sure that this is a good value at $450, but being out of your area and thinking about doing this myself again this year, I'm wondering how much time a professional would allocate to buffing and waxing a painted glass glider (no gel coat damage)? I just waxed the wings last summer by hand and I got discouraged because it took me so long. If I knew how long it would take you, I might not feel so inept spending so much time (or I would feel really inept and seek professional help.)



Few people that don't do this regularly have the tools needed to do it in an effective amount of time. a reasonable answer to your question is that it very much depends on condition coming in. Most favorable, skilled person, correct tools, and good starting condition, could be as little as 2 hrs/wing. It goes up from there. It can go to 10 times that for a bad starting point.

It is tiring, boring, and discouraging, but the results can be nice.

UH

that's because you're not pumping jackson browne through your headphone hank

if you want it to go fast i recommend listening to rush.

but he's correct. It's alot more work than most people think, especially true if done right.

Andy,

I sent a "reply to author" message to you, but apparently you didn't get it. Could you please drop me a line at jcarlyle at verizon dot net ? Thanks!

-John, Q3

I was going to respond the same way Andy :-) I find that the playlist has a direct impact on both speed and quality. Right now, I'm finding some up-tempo alt-rock can work wonders. Killers, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, and some throwbacks like Breeders, Camper Van Beethoven, and even some Ramones and Cheap Trick work great. Figure between 10 and 15 tracks per wing per side depending on starting condition.

In all seriousness... I first learned from a combination of Bruce Conrad (who worked several years at SH) and Richard Kellerman (his local disciple). Having worked in a machine shop before was a help, but it's definitely not something I'd try without first watching, then being watched, by someone who knows. A shredded trailing edge or aileron makes $450 look positively cheap.

P3


On Monday, May 12, 2014 4:35:28 PM UTC-4, Andrew Brayer wrote:
On Monday, May 12, 2014 4:17:24 PM UTC-4, wrote:

On Monday, May 12, 2014 3:47:32 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:



Having attempted this myself, I'm sure that this is a good value at $450, but being out of your area and thinking about doing this myself again this year, I'm wondering how much time a professional would allocate to buffing and waxing a painted glass glider (no gel coat damage)? I just waxed the wings last summer by hand and I got discouraged because it took me so long. If I knew how long it would take you, I might not feel so inept spending so much time (or I would feel really inept and seek professional help.)







Few people that don't do this regularly have the tools needed to do it in an effective amount of time. a reasonable answer to your question is that it very much depends on condition coming in. Most favorable, skilled person, correct tools, and good starting condition, could be as little as 2 hrs/wing. It goes up from there. It can go to 10 times that for a bad starting point.



It is tiring, boring, and discouraging, but the results can be nice.



UH



that's because you're not pumping jackson browne through your headphone hank



if you want it to go fast i recommend listening to rush.



but he's correct. It's alot more work than most people think, especially true if done right.

On Monday, May 12, 2014 4:49:39 PM UTC-4, Papa3 wrote:
A shredded trailing edge or aileron makes $450 look positively cheap.

Just so. The previous owner of my glider buffed the paint right off the trailing edge of the elevator. As far as UV protection, I'm pretty safe if I stay with new microfiber rags and elbow grease, but that will not repair the overall scratched surface that I bought. It seems rather easy to mess up. I think I will take it to a pro next winter to restore the surface... sailboat people have told me that it would not be too hard to bring back.

On Monday, May 12, 2014 6:08:01 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Monday, May 12, 2014 4:49:39 PM UTC-4, Papa3 wrote:

A shredded trailing edge or aileron makes $450 look positively cheap.



Just so. The previous owner of my glider buffed the paint right off the trailing edge of the elevator. As far as UV protection, I'm pretty safe if I stay with new microfiber rags and elbow grease, but that will not repair the overall scratched surface that I bought. It seems rather easy to mess up. I think I will take it to a pro next winter to restore the surface... sailboat people have told me that it would not be too hard to bring back.

Give the sailboat guys a shot and report back.
UH

On Monday, May 12, 2014 7:19:05 PM UTC-4, wrote:

Give the sailboat guys a shot and report back.

One sailboat guy is the president of both the glider club and the yacht club. I think that he might be tired of bailing out foundering DIY projects at the airport though. My hangar mate is a nautical architect and former sailboat racer.

On Monday, May 12, 2014 3:30:53 PM UTC-4, Andrew Brayer wrote:
During the region two contest in Mifflin next week I advertising a buff and wax job to professional standards during a rain day, rest day, or over the course of a few evenings. I am skilled and knowledgeable in sailplane maintenance. If you are interested, please contact me in either a private message or email me directly at brayera (at) gmail.com



Thank you!



-ND

jeezes