Gami gas has arrived...

Does a Cirrus have composite tanks? They have been running 100UL in one for about 10 years. Resins are the same as used in fiberglass
Older Cirri have composite tanks (composite wet wings). This is part of why they are so apt to burn after a crash - Metal bends, composites splinter.

Newer Cirri - last 10 years or so IIRC - have an aluminum tank inside the composite wing.

Any idea what year the one they're using is?
 
Looks like apple juice; I would have thought they would have required a color to be added, as they do blue for LL.

It is dyed. It would be clear otherwise.
 
It is dyed. It would be clear otherwise.
If the color is as intended, looks like this could be confused for JetA more easily than 100LL.

Since they aren’t making 80 leaded anymore, maybe make UL 100 red.
 
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Red's not available anymore. The IRS took it.
I suspect the yellow is to make it apparent when it is mixed with the 100LL blue to make a greenish blend. Originally, G100UL was supposed to be green.
 
Resins are the same as used in fiberglass
There are many different resins that can be used with fiberglass, with varying chemical compatibility. This became an issue when ethanol started to be added to auto fuel... boats (and some airplanes) with tanks made with vinylester resin had serious problems, while tanks made with epoxy resin were OK. There may well be a similar (but different) problem with G100 (or any other 100LL replacement).

Just like any other fuel system component... some may be compatible with one chemical, some with another... but other than teflon and some other fluoropolymers, just about nothing is compatible with everything, other than metal and glass.
 
Just like any other fuel system component... some may be compatible with one chemical, some with another... but other than teflon and some other fluoropolymers, just about nothing is compatible with everything, other than metal and glass.
Even metals have problems. Higher percentage ethanol blends will destroy aluminum.
 
I hope they get this sorted out. I would like to see the possibility of synthetic aviation oil (again). We can have that if the fuel is unleaded.
 
I really want GAMI G100UL to work! But this not encouraging...

I'm holding judgement until we get more information. What was the condition of the planes before fuel was used? Peeling paint, etc., has been occurring with leaded fuel for a long time. Is it caused by GAMI, or just correlated with its use?
 
Gami already put out a video of their own test after complaints.

Applaud wanting to address this quickly. But that bench top test isn't appropriate at this time. Need to replicate - if possible - the field experience. What planes were involved in the complaints? Age of paint that was involved? Bring in paint experts / airplane painters who can offer advice on the wide range of paint on aircraft, and specifically get information on the paint on the airplanes in the field that are being examined.

For example, the above video is a test on 20 year old paint. What other paint chemistry has been used in the past? Single Stage paint from the 60's, 70's, etc.?

Maybe they already have - but would be great if they explained why they picked a 20 year old painted part for the test.
 
Applaud wanting to address this quickly. But that bench top test isn't appropriate at this time. Need to replicate - if possible - the field experience. What planes were involved in the complaints? Age of paint that was involved? Bring in paint experts / airplane painters who can offer advice on the wide range of paint on aircraft, and specifically get information on the paint on the airplanes in the field that are being examined.

For example, the above video is a test on 20 year old paint. What other paint chemistry has been used in the past? Single Stage paint from the 60's, 70's, etc.?

Maybe they already have - but would be great if they explained why they picked a 20 year old painted part for the test.
I don't think most airplane painters are experts in paint chemistry. But Gami did solicit ideas or methods to test. So if you've got an idea, send it there way.

I believe they chose a 20 yr old bonanza part as they had it available. It wasn't brand new and was a bit beat up. It wasn't pristine. And an adequate representation for the fleet.

The AOPA Baron had bladder leaks but no paint stripping issues.
 
Given how effective a paint stripper G100UL seems to be, I wonder what it does if you get a little on your hands or clothes.
 
I don't think most airplane painters are experts in paint chemistry.
Don't need to be. But their knowledge of what paint exists in the real world is invaluable. They could guide GAMI to test XYZ single stage what not found in Cessna's in 1966-1977, with XYZ primer...... etc. Or 1990-2020 Pipers used this paint.

The more you can bring in the real world into testing, the better.
 
Gami was testing this fuel in a Cirrus for the last 12 years. Was also tested at ERAU. Presumably the same paint and seals that are now an issue.

Id be shocked if that bonanza louvre was anything but a single stage. I can't imagine 2- stage was ever popular. Imron single stage was probably the go to for years. Why add more work and more weight. It's been around forever. Jet-Glo now might be the go to.

"In 1972, DuPont introduced Imron polyurethane enamel, characterizing it as "the wet look that lasts" because of its gloss, chemical resistance and durability"

Id be more interested in finding out what that paint was the a&p tested. He admitted he didn't even know.
 
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G100UL 100% stains paint in a non-removable way, at least on my plane painted in 2018 with Sherman Williams aviation paints (I forget which process it was and my invoice just shows 'custom paint').

Here is a pic of a drip from a on my plane. I've tried every cleaner I have in my hangar (various Wash-Wax-All products, Simple Green Aircraft, Dawn Power Wash, Plexus, etc) but none have touched it, or any of the other stains.

Even though the ops guys do a pretty good job of avoiding spills and cleaning up any that do happen, each of my fuel caps have some brown spots around them from missed spills.

2024-12-22 15.05.50.jpg
 
G100UL 100% stains paint in a non-removable way, at least on my plane painted in 2018 with Sherman Williams aviation paints (I forget which process it was and my invoice just shows 'custom paint').

Here is a pic of a drip from a on my plane. I've tried every cleaner I have in my hangar (various Wash-Wax-All products, Simple Green Aircraft, Dawn Power Wash, Plexus, etc) but none have touched it, or any of the other stains.

Even though the ops guys do a pretty good job of avoiding spills and cleaning up any that do happen, each of my fuel caps have some brown spots around them from missed spills.

View attachment 137436
Have you tried a solvent, like acetone, 100ll, or more g100ul?
 
I believe they chose a 20 yr old bonanza part as they had it available. It wasn't brand new and was a bit beat up. It wasn't pristine. And an adequate representation for the fleet.
"Adequate" for a tiny part of the fleet, maybe.

Imron, Ranthane, butyrate dope, poly-tone, enamel, epoxy, Oratex, Stewart system, zinc chromate primer, spar varnish, etc., etc...
 
One of the solvents suggested above might work.

I have Imron paint from 1989. I can use brake cleaner or carb cleaner to remove 100LL blue. Be careful with it if you try it on your paint.
 
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