paint adds zilch, nada, nothing. Smooth means a lot, but you
can't get smooth by painting. It takes sanding of the paint (or gel coat)
until the divits and lumps do not exceed .003 +_ inches in a 2 inch arc.
For most power type planes, lumps and bumps don't mean anything
behind about 20 or 30 percent chord in any case.


In article , "Morgans"
wrote:

"Derek Anderson" wrote in message
...
We are currently test flying an all fiber-glass experimental plane in an
unpainted state and wondered if any of you have done the same and
experienced as much as a 10% increase in air speed and improved climb rate
after painting your planes.
I know most of you are happy to wait until your pride and joy is painted
but
we opted to test fly in the raw. The manufacturer who has a similar plane
is
achieving around 10 knots better speed for the same revolutions, at 4,600
rpm on a Subaru conversion with a 2:1 reduction he gets 100 knots and we
are
only just getting 90. The only difference in configuration is the addition
of front wheel fairing and three leg fairings plus nice shiny paint. Our
climb rate is also very low compared to predictions. It will be several
months before it is painted and back in the air so am asking the group.
Replies appreciated. Derek

Sounds like 8 knots for the farings and wheel pants, and 2 knots for the
paint, would be closer.