Top Flite TOPA0400 - Manual (Page 52)

PAINTING
After the model is covered, use fuelproof model
paint, 30-minute epoxy thinned with alcohol or
finishing resin to coat areas that may be exposed to
raw fuel or exhaust residue such as the firewall, wing
saddle and openings in the wing for the retracts.
We recommended Top Flite LustreKote fuelproof
paint for painting all ABS plastic parts. At least one
coat of LustreKote primer is highly recommended
to fill in small scratches left from sanding as well
as small pin holes in the filler. Wet sand between
coats with 400-grit sandpaper and apply a second
coat of primer if necessary.
Before painting the canopy, use a scissors or
hobby knife to trim along the molded cut lines.
True the edges with your bar sander and 220-grit
sandpaper. Use 400-grit sandpaper to scuff the
frame portion of the canopy so the paint will stick. We
recommend painting the canopy frame with Pactra
Formula-U or Chevron Perfect Paint. Use masking
tape or frisket film to cover the portion of the canopy
that is not to be painted. If you are not sure that the
paint is compatible with the clear canopy, test the
paint on a leftover piece of canopy material and allow
it to dry overnight.
For painting the pilot, we have discovered that
acrylic water base paints such as the types found
at craft stores work great. The acrylic paints look
realistic on the pilots because they are flat. Best of
all, they clean up with water.
We covered the cockpit floor (if a cockpit kit will not
be installed) sides and backrest with 600-grit
sandpaper glued in place with aliphatic resin glue.
APPLY DECALS
❏
1. Study the plan and the photos on the box to
decide where to place the decals.
❏
2. Thoroughly clean your airplane before
applying decals.
❏
3. Cut out the individual decals and apply them
in the locations shown on the plan.
HINT: To apply decals accurately, use a marker to
put small reference marks on the aircraft outside
the edge of the decal. Peel the decal backing off.
For larger decals, spray the aircraft and the glue
side of the decal with a mixture of soap and water.
Carefully “float” the decal into position. Use a
damp paper towel to squeegee the liquid out from
under the decal, working from the middle outward.
Remove the marks with isopropyl alcohol.
FINAL HOOKUPS AND CHECKS
INSTALL THE HINGES
❏
1. Starting with the elevators and stab, cut the
covering from the hinge holes.
❏
2. Roughen the elevator torque rod wires with
sandpaper. Clean the torque rod wires with alcohol
and a paper towel to remove any oil residue.
❏
3. Apply petroleum jelly to the hinge joints to
prevent epoxy from gluing the hinge joints. Glue
the torque rod wires and hinges in the elevators
and stab with 30-minute epoxy.
❏
4. Install the ailerons with their hinges. Repeat
the gluing technique described previously and
allow the epoxy to cure.
❏
5. Install the rudder with its hinges. Repeat the
gluing technique described previously and allow
the epoxy to cure.
INSTALL THE HARDWARE
❏
1. Reinstall the fuel tank with foam padding (not
included) as follows: Insert two 12" pieces of fuel
tubing (not included) through the firewall. Connect
one of the fuel tubes to the fuel pick-up fitting and
the other to the overflow or pressure fitting. Insert the
fuel tank into the fuel tank compartment. Connect
the fuel tubing from the fuel pick-up fitting to the fuel
fill valve. Route the overflow line out the bottom of
the cowl.
❏
2. Reinstall the landing gear. Apply thread lock
to the engine mounting bolts before mounting the
engine to the firewall.
❏
3. Connect the fuel tubing from the fuel fill valve
to the carburetor. Connect the pressure line to the
muffler if using a glow engine.
❏
4. Reinstall the tail wheel and main wheels.
❏
5. Reinstall the control horns, servos and
pushrods. Make sure to slide a silicone retainer
over each metal clevis.
❏
6. Plug the servos into the receiver. Wrap the
receiver in foam padding and insert it behind the
elevator and rudder servos. Secure it in place with
a couple of leftover 1/4" square sticks glued to the
fuse sides.
❏
7. Install the receiver switch and connect the
receiver battery. Wrap the receiver battery in foam.
Secure the battery in the fuselage.
❏
8. Switch the radio system on and adjust the
servos to neutral. Hook up the pull-pull system for
the tail wheel. The tail wheel servo and the rudder
servo can be connected using a Y-harness.
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