Im picking up my 182 this week with my new aerocets and got to thinking about corrosion proofing the aircraft for float operations. I've read a few threads on the site and see that " corrion x" that aircraft spruce sells appears to be suitable. Can anyone comment on this? Is this the way to go?

Also, what rig should I get for applying it? How much will I use in one application?

Last question - when applying it, do I worry about getting in on the auto pilot servo that is in the tail or anything else back there, or do I just coat everything?

Garth

Garth, you dog, getting to fly floats so early, who would have ever guessed. Enjoy the trip to the float pond. I assume you will go out with Larry at PR to run through the paces, he is a nice guy. Anyway, I can't answer either of your questions, but my 185 had been treated before I purchased it. The one caution might be the stuff seeps through the cracks (it is supposed too), it will be evidenced through the seems of the plane for a long time. Though I did not have any issues, I was concerned that it might filter through and onto the headliner, if it did, it did not come all the way through. Just something to consider, or you might want to ask about to avoid that problem.

Steve

Garth; You are so far away from salt water AND you have those hot plastic floats that corrosion shouldn't be that much of a factor. Curious whether or not during the conversion of the 182 any "factory" corrosion proofing was installed?? Good luck,

steve wrote: I assume you will go out with Larry at PR to run through the paces, he is a nice guy.


Just something to consider, or you might want to ask about to avoid that problem.

Steve

I was going to be asking Jeff about that this week to see if someone was going to go up with me, especially to start in the small pond for take off. I've been a little nurvouse about that, but got out of there with my maule, so I assume the 182 will get off quicket than the maule wit that 0-520 out front.

I will ask Jeff on the corrosion x questions as well. I believe they offer it there, so maybe I'll get them to do it.

FloatFlyer wrote:Garth; You are so far away from salt water AND you have those hot plastic floats that corrosion shouldn't be that much of a factor. Curious whether or not during the conversion of the 182 any "factory" corrosion proofing was installed?? Good luck,

Hi ford,

I'm not super concerned, but figure it cannot hurt. I don't think there has been any factory corrosion proofing installed.

Garth

Garth, when I picked my 182 up I flew out with 2 full size adults and a crosswind and about 60 gallons. It was a non-issue. It was my first time on floats in a 182 and I had the mechanic Toby ride along for pointers. My 182 techique is 0 flaps until on step, then tap the lever to 20, and immediately roll in a little nose up trim maybe two rolls, about 5 seconds after tapping lever you're in the air, bleed to 10 then 0. The lake has about a 30 degree dog leg in it and as I recall I forced it to stay on the water until after I made the step turn. The wind favored taking off from the end where they put the plane in, so would change if you had to come out from the other end. Try to get a picture of the grin on your face when you see how fast its on step and in the air for the first time!

Although I can't say for sure, seems to me when I took off out of there this past October, I was off the water before that 30 degree turn in the lake. I'm sure Toby will be coming with me on take off

What prop did you have on the plane then?

Garth

I am not on floats, but I do live with a lot of precipitation and the coastal climate. We really like the ACF-50. Application is with a little pressure tank that holds about a quart of liquid that hooks to an air compressor. The one we have is sold by Corrosion-X, I think we got it from Spruce. Application is a matter of opening all the inspection covers, wing tips, fairings...everything that will come off or open and fog the hell out of it every couple of years. Really get after the tail, even shoot it inside between the skins...you know the little diamond shaped holes on the trailing edges that leave the nice scars on your forehead. It is fine under the panel as well, labeled OK for electronics. Takes about 3/4 to 1 gallon for a Cessna.

The stuff stops any corrosion that is already there and keeps anything new from showing up. Also really lubes up all the cables and pulleys. It is awesome.

I had the 401 mac 3 blade, 80 inch. If I recall I had to pull the power back to stay on the water until I rounded the corner, then blasted off. I didn't want to be turning in the air close to the water in that crosswind. I think I had a slight tailwind until I got through the dogleg. I'll always choose a lift off into the wind if possible, even if that means keeping it on the water longer and turning a corner to get more on the nose. I've scared myself a couple times lifting off in crosswinds in narrow lakes.

Is acf-50 and corrion x the same stuff but just made by different manufacturers?

gear wrote:Is acf-50 and corrion x the same stuff but just made by different manufacturers?

I believe the net result should be the same with either product.