I have been flying an A36 for 10 years. Recently I sold it and am considering an SR22. I really like what I see so far but I have no experience with composites. Some people tell me to “be careful” because “if a composite plane gets to too hot it becomes soft and loses shape”. I have looked at the SR22 POH and it talks about the paint used on the plane keeping the composite materials under 150 F. Does anyone know what happens if the paint wears off (such as might occur during lots of IFR flight) and then the plane sits on a hot Southwesten ramp where the temperature might exceed 150 F in the summer? Also has anyone had any problems with the paint wearing off and exposing the leading edges? If so what is done for this?
I talked with the folks at Lancair at Oshkosh last week and they had “tape” on one of their planes to protect the leading edges. Is this normal?
And last, does anyone have any info or references as to the wearability of composite material over time in general?