FDS Shell Black or Raw Aluminum

[Ed]

Hi Everyone,

Getting close to ordering FDS Shell. I'm wondering why fellow builders are choosing the black powder coated version over the raw aluminum. Is there a technical advantage to the painted model?  Glare from monitors, projectors perhaps? 

[Bob Reed]

Hi Everyone,

Getting close to ordering FDS Shell. I'm wondering why fellow builders are choosing the black powder coated version over the raw aluminum. Is there a technical advantage to the painted model?  Glare from monitors, projectors perhaps?

You are correct, the flat black does not reflect.

[Ed]

Good morning Bob. Thanks for that. I kind of figured it was a reflection issue.

[jackpilot]

ED
I have the alu one and no real issue:
Flat black is better but more expensive

[Ed]

Hi Jack,

Thats good to hear. Flat back is a lot more expensive. I can paint it myself without too many issues if need be, but old man winter is just around the corner and I would love to have shell and liners set up for xmas

Thanks again Jack,

[blueskydriver]

Hi Ed,

IMHO, buy it from FDS pre-painted over painting it yourself. There is just too much involved to paint them and even if you can do it quick, there is still the time spent doing it along with a place to paint everything. Plus, you say with winter coming it would impact when/where you could paint, nor would you be done by Christmas. Whereas, if you placed your order now (to include them being pre-painted black) you'll likely receive them before and thereby, have a much happier holiday altogether...just putting them together.

Yes, FDS painting them is just a little bit more expensive, but it is so worth it once you take them out of the box and can bolt everything together right then...nothing worse then getting a new toy, yet it has to stay in the box until you get the batteries or in your potential case, until you can paint it. 

John

[Ed]

Hi John,

Decisions Decisions .   Well, I want to order asap but I'm waiting to sell my camper. I believe and hope that tomorrow the person who is coming to look at it, will drive away with it and leave me the funds to buy the shell and liners. I definitely wont have time to paint it myself before the snow flies. The base was my last summer project for 17. I guess I shouldn't be counting my chickens before they've hatched, but I feel it's close. Waiting for a call as I write this reply. I agree, it's nice to play with the toy the moment it arrives and time is such a premium. The years I've already spent building, and still aways to go I looked at my log the other day...  over 800 hours with the 737 sim..  kids think I'm crazy lol.

[mickc]

Another thing to consider as that the FDS shell will be powdercoated, not painted.
This is much tougher and more durable than paint, and obviously not something you can do at home.
Sure you could get it powdercoated by a 3rd party but will no doubt be more expensive than getting it done by FDS themselves

[blueskydriver]

Hi Ed,

Oh, I do know how you feel! I had to wait until all my RC airplanes and the two trailers that were setup for them sold. Luckily, a good majority went to one buyer and the rest between two others, but I had too put everything else (sims) on hold until the funds came in...

In the mean time of waiting for your camper too be sold, I suggest you contact FDS and let them know what your plans are and with you being from Canada, that will make it alot easier. Not that it's any problem for, but for others that live outside your country they have shipping companies, brokers and customs to deal with before you receive your items. However, in your case, you will not need all of this and you will also save that expense. The cost savings there alone is enough to justify having it powder coated black by them.

Plus, as Mick says, you will not get the same quality with spray painting and paying anyone else to do it will not be the same, where FDS is all setup to take care of it for you. So, just give Pete call and believe me, he is an awesome guy too speak with on the phone, as well as purchase your simulator items. Never once did I have any problems and if anything, he would let me know of any vital things I would've forgot during some of my past orders.

Lastly, it will be great when you do get your new FDS items and start posting pics...I am sure we will all see your new found happiness...

John

[Bob Reed]

Hi John,

Decisions Decisions .   Well, I want to order asap but I'm waiting to sell my camper. I believe and hope that tomorrow the person who is coming to look at it, will drive away with it and leave me the funds to buy the shell and liners. I definitely wont have time to paint it myself before the snow flies. The base was my last summer project for 17. I guess I shouldn't be counting my chickens before they've hatched, but I feel it's close. Waiting for a call as I write this reply. I agree, it's nice to play with the toy the moment it arrives and time is such a premium. The years I've already spent building, and still aways to go I looked at my log the other day...  over 800 hours with the 737 sim..  kids think I'm crazy lol.

lol Um... News flash, you are crazy! You spend most of your free time sitting in a make believe airplane pretending to fly places... Yes WE are all crazy!!

[blueskydriver]

Totally agree with Bob and the important thing is admitting it...LOL! Heck, I knew it at age 8 when a neighbor kid and I used old wood doors and scrap wood for our make believe car, yep car! All the other kids and parents said we were a couple of crazy kids. Even more so because we shaped it like a car and it had seats, a steering wheel, toy radio and even a trunk. Good thing it had no wheels and sat directly on the ground in his backyard; otherwise, we would've broke a whole lot of laws.

Funny thing is when I pretended to drive I was a police officer chasing bad guys and when the other kid pretend drove he always wanted too be the bad guy! What's even funnier, when we got old enough to drive a real car, I drove off and joined the military, and the other kid turned into a real bad guy and was driven to prison.

Moral to the story, be careful to what you pretend to do or be when you're a kid or an adult, you might get what you pretended too be in one form or another...and when they say your crazy, just nod and smile, nod and smile!

John

[Ed]

Hi All.

MickC - Totally agree on the powder coating being tougher and more durable. True, I could not do that at home with my Wagner spray gun.

Bob,  ok..  I admit it, I'm sim crazy lol I love the building, I love the flying..hey' it's a 'Hobby'. That's why I have 5  60 inch TV's standing by in my basement..right?  Right.   Son says  'too much airplane dad..  too much airplane"  I say.."well..everyone needs a hobby". There are those amongst us who struggle to understand

John, again thanks for sharing your experiences. I enjoy reading your posts. Very informative and interesting. Pretending eh...   so I may end up as the Captain of a 738 then..?  Hope it happens soon, I'm getting pretty close to retirement now .  heheh

I have been in contact by email with Peter and basically he's waiting on me to give the go ahead. I agree, FDS is a standup company and I have no doubt they will help me out to the best of their ability. Today is the big day. The viewing will happen in a few hours. So, fingers crossed I will be contacting Peter shortly thereafter. Soo...  with a smile and a nod, I will sign off for the moment

I'm pretty much leaning towards the black Powdercoat model now.

Thanks everyone for your inputs.

[Nlgravity]

I know we all get a kick out of admitting we are crazy. But i have a new take on it:

I have an extremely stressful job. In order to keep your sanity and extend your shelf life, it is very important to be able to escape the real world and go into a
place where you feel comfortable, stressed, frustrated, happy but all due to different reasons.

So i started building the sim after work and at first it was extremely frustrating yet relaxing. My shrink and I came to the conclusion that my sim is the most effective medication to cope with a high octane career path that i love.

I know of many other individuals that turn to drinking or drugs to help cope with the pressure. I just make a cofee and go into my sim.

So next time you think you are crazy, OCD, weird, etc.... just think of it this way: this is your perfectly healthy way to meditate and keep a healthy balance between work and life.

[Ed]

+1  Love what you just posted Nigravity. 100 % agree with you.

[Ed]

Hi everyone,

I've put in an order for the Black Powder Coated Nose section and liners. As usual, dealing with Peter and FDS was a great experience. Can't say enough about this company. And of course, exciting times for me:)

[Trevor Hale]

Good stuff Ed. Glad you had a great experience. The Shell will be something you will be happy with.

[Ed]

Thanks Trevor. Will post a pic or two when set up. 

Ed

[simlady/ Karen]

I know we all get a kick out of admitting we are crazy. But i have a new take on it:

I have an extremely stressful job. In order to keep your sanity and extend your shelf life, it is very important to be able to escape the real world and go into a
place where you feel comfortable, stressed, frustrated, happy but all due to different reasons.

So i started building the sim after work and at first it was extremely frustrating yet relaxing. My shrink and I came to the conclusion that my sim is the most effective medication to cope with a high octane career path that i love.

I know of many other individuals that turn to drinking or drugs to help cope with the pressure. I just make a cofee and go into my sim.

So next time you think you are crazy, OCD, weird, etc.... just think of it this way: this is your perfectly healthy way to meditate and keep a healthy balance between work and life.

I totally agree with you. Over the years, I thought that Sim building was kind of a crazy hobby but as Blueskydriver got more into it, i loved it... I can help out and we spend quality time together, even if it's me soldering wires or putting a panel together for him. I know it keeps him home and not getting into trouble. 

It's expensive but at least we're spending money on something that we can touch and play with...

[MistyBlue]

I have the alu one and no real issue

Jack, I have been debating coating/painting mine.  How are you dealing with fingerprints and such?  Handling the aluminum leaves behind prints and smudges resulting in some dulling if not taken care of.  Do you use a polish or regularly wipe it down to keep it looking good?

[jackpilot]

I am not the best  to answer that as I do not really care about the outside, dusting it once in a while is fine with me
If I do something it will be a vinyl wrap for the front part below the windshield.

[bernard S]

finger use white viniger   smells but causes no damage