Future fodder for foolishness: bug splatter-shedding paint improves fuel economy!

[Fat Charlie]

If the improvement is measurable it's worth pursuing, and no single paint company is going to see as much of a benifit as the end users.

Besides, NASA (and DARPA and other ends of the gubmint) have a long and productive history of performing or funding pure research that industry won't do because it simply won't show a profit in the next quarter or two. Tax money can be a very good thing.

[Piotrsko]

Couple years ago there was this big thing about baby powder applied to ths leading edge of your wing to prevent flow seperation or some such.

I see that has come back around.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I should not even read this thread and make my blood pressure spike, but then I guess you could call it a stroke test.

Testing 1,2,3. Come in, Old Mechanic!

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by elhigh

Attempting such in the truck would necessitate paint that could shed bits of piston and crankshaft.

Thanks for the chuckle.

[aerohead]

In a press release tomorrow,NASA will say that they're going to reinstate DDT,kill all the world's flying insects,then they can reduce bug gut splattering 100%,and protect their pretty little laminar airfoils.

[Fat Charlie]

I thought the bees were a test run of that fuel efficiency program.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

I thought the bees were a test run of that fuel efficiency program.

Nah, that was the DOA!

[slowmover]

Airlines are already a near casualty. Government subsidies, bankruptcies to defraud employees, and killing off any high speed rail all in light of intractable fuel costs means the writings on the wall.

The only thing left in most businesses is government subsidization. Profit guarantee. Look at Elon Musk. That's his entire story. Our tax money at work building useless vehicles. Same people who thought Steve jobs a genius also elevate this guy. Both are/were good at storytelling, and that's about it.

I'm told that in France it is only the poor who fly. The TGV is faster, more luxurious and without the indignities. Seems that train is the place for this coating.

But we spend our money on wrong design war weapons, 1000 or more overseas military installations, and make parasites like Musk wealthy.

As to bugs, yeah, wax and RainX work, but a short bottle of DAWN and ones own squeegee make fast work of clearing the glass (says this old truck driver).