Best canopy method poll

[ronschreck]

Twelve years and 2150 hours on rivets before it cracked on a 75-degree day. New canopy installed with Sikaflex. I'll let you know how that turns out.

[jsharkey]

Riveted tip-up canopy built per plans and no crack after 10 years.

I did all the canopy work during a hot and humid New England summer, made sure it fitted well with no forcing needed, drilled oversized holes per the plans and used the special bits recommended to avoid any micro cracks that could grow into future cracks under thermal and mechanical load cycling.

Now I have probably gone and jinxed it

Jim Sharkey

[cropdusterdave]

I live in North Dakota where the temps can swing 130 degrees between winter and summer. I chose to go with the sikaflex bond for that reason. No problems so far. And no, I don't even think about flying when it's -30.

[SgtZim]

Thanks all! I hope we can keep gathering datapoints on this -

Of those responding:

11% of those using Sikaflex got cracks
19% of those using rivets got cracks.

Still a fairly small sample, but very useful. The comments are helpful too, thanks!

[444TX]

RV8. Proseal and screws. 15 years, 1500 hours, -20 F. to 110 F. NO CRACKS

[jj13]

Originally Posted by SgtZim

Thanks all! I hope we can keep gathering datapoints on this -

Of those responding:

11% of those using Sikaflex got cracks
19% of those using rivets got cracks.

Still a fairly small sample, but very useful. The comments are helpful too, thanks!

I believe it's 5% for Sikaflex since Olyolson and Cjammes mistakenly clicked on Silaflex cracked. See posts 9 & 11.

[Noah]

I did both.

Tip up canopy was Sikaflexed, no cracks, 1150 hours in 8 years.

Area over baggage compartment (RV7) was srewed as per plans. Cracked the first winter, crack emanated from a screw and propagated 3 inches or so. I've seen several other RVs that had a crack in exactly the same place, leading me to conclude that this crack might be less builder related and more internal stress related. Wish I had sikaflexed my rear canopy.

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by Noah

I did both.

Tip up canopy was Sikaflexed, no cracks, 1150 hours in 8 years.

Area over baggage compartment (RV7) was riveted. Cracked the first winter, crack emanated from a rivet 3 inches or so. I've seen several other RVs that had a crack in exactly the same place, leading me to conclude that this crack might be less builder related and more internal stress related. Wish I had sikaflexed my rear canopy.

What type of rivets did you use?

The plans recommend screws in the roll bar and screws/washers/nuts around the aft perimeter.

[Janekom]

Wish I could vote seven times
Built seven different RVs using Sika only. Not one crack yet

[wirejock]

Not in service. Maybe four months.
Personally, I believe cracks propagate from stress risers and polishing edges and holes helps prevent but I'm no Engineer nor did I stay at Holiday Inn. Check my blog for a write up on Sika.