doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com factory vs nonfactory case colors

PA 24 ( I suppose that is synonymous with the Piper designation for a Piper 24 Comanche, nice airplane I flew a 260 B for a number of years myself). In discussions with Dr. Oscar Gaddy the subject of case colors fading came up. His explanation made perfect sense. Case colors are the result of attaching carbon molecules to the base metal through the application of heat. There are only three possible ways to dislodge these carbon molecules, friction, chemical action or sublimation and since carbon cannot under room temperatures pass from a solid state to a gaseous state, chemical action (oxidation/rust) loosens the bonds between the carbon molecules and changes the color but friction is the only possible way to destroy (remove) the case coloring.

Yes, Piper Comanche....PA-24.........




Note that in Ken's post the SAA'S were faded on the display side exposed to the UV....!.....As per the Colt Factory People........

Regarding the UV, I guess to each his own, whatever floats yer boat.......personally I don't leave mine exposed to any UV for long periods, so I do agree with the Colt factory on that one. Lot's of other knowledgeable people have also commented over the years that UV will fade case colors........I'll have to hang with that group..........

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TwiceBarrel--UV destroys airplanes also, especially polymers and electronics.....I restored this one from the rear nav lights to the spinner, 3 blade is a McCauley, had this PA24 for over 26 years. Super airplanes IMO..........



POWDER COATED MAGNESIUM WHEEL HALVES...LONG BAKE OUT FOR THE MAGNESIUM OUT-GASING @ temp, PRIOR TO ADDING THE POWDER COAT--"It is the only coating I know of that adheres to magnesium and stays put, everything else peels off with moisture".....
Was difficult for sure.....but it's been on there over 22 years......through all kinds of weather.....IFR/VFR

ZERO-ZERO ON OIL LEAKS on this one........


Best,

Nice lookin ride, Doug.

I also had those very same conversations with Oscar. He was an engineer by training so speculation was not something he did. Oscar did his own testing using full spectrum UV light over an extended period of time and saw NO evidence that UV degraded the colors from color cased steel. As TwiceBarrel stated the colors are a mechanical property not a chemical property. I am also in doubt as to whether standard flourescent bulbs emits much if any UV light. If they do I've spent a lot of extra money to by full spectrum bulbs for a finish drying cabinet which also carry a warning not to look at them for any length of time because of danger to your eyesight.

Hey I could be wrong, and I often am, but until there is some very sound fact based data to the contrary I'll go with abrasion and corrosion rather than UV as a reason for the colors to disappear.

Two nice examples of original Fox colors--
Deleted

Craig

The Foxes have colors that are mesmerizingly beautiful

These would be non-original case colors provided by Oscar Gaddy.

PA24 UV is also hard on the ladies but not nearly so disruptive as time and gravity.

Nice plane. Closest you can come to a civilian production assembly line single engine fighter for speed and handling. Beats the heck out of a Bonanza or any of the Cessna's. How is yours powered to handle the three bladed prop?

Doug,

Fluorescent bulbs do emit UV. I have done quite a bit of photographic printing using different methods. They include cyanotype, platinum / platinum, POP, gum, etc. The basic technique is the same. The paper is hand coated and allowed to dry. It is placed in a "light box" with negative between the paper and the light source. The paper is then developed. Normally, 6 tubes are used and the paper is exposed for 3-10 minutes. Some will go the extra step and purchase UV tubes, but they are not necessary. CFL will work as well. It all depends on how much exposure time you are willing to deal with.



http://www.bostick-sullivan.com/cart/home.php?cat=17

I remember Oscar talking about his experiments with UV. As you stated, under normal conditions, it has no impact on case colors. The carbon is bonded to the steel at the atomic level. If you recall Oscar's SEM (scanning electron microscope) pictures the colors are only a few atoms deep.

Pete

Lefever E grade 35,XXX serial number range. Not 100% but does has nice surviving case colors.