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08-04-2020, 07:39 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 40
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Sikaflex Spacers
Preparing to glue canopy to frame (RV4) using Sikaflex. I’ve read most of the threads I could find on the subject but I’m still unsure of how to go about using spacers.
I’ve seen mention of using garden hose and removing it after Sika has set up.
Anyone have any photos of this, or any, method of spacing?
Thanks, Tom
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08-04-2020, 07:54 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LSGY
Posts: 3,198
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spacers
There are several good methods that will work. I used garden hose but newer methods using rubber washers or even dabs of sika that have dried seem even better. Main thing is to leave a bit of a gap, and clamp the canopy in the right place. Then you can go in to glue it in place, and come back with a 2nd pass and make it beautiful. If you use small rubber spacers you don't need to remove them. Obviously something like rubber hose will need to be removed.
While you have the canopy off, be sure to smooth and polish all the edges to relieve any stresses that might eventually cause a crack.
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08-04-2020, 08:46 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Newport, RI
Posts: 705
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Spacers
I used round 1/8” screening bead that I bought at the local hardware store. Can cut them and leave them in.
__________________
Al Girard, Newport, RI
N339AG
RV-9
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08-04-2020, 09:19 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Green Bay, WI (GRB)
Posts: 479
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O Rings work great
__________________
Don Pansier
Green Bay, WI (GRB)
RV-7 N450DP
W9LYX
Antennas for Experimental Aircraft
www.deltapopaviation.com
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08-04-2020, 09:48 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
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Stresses
I used a minimum along the fore and aft bow as the natural curve required. My feeling is every clamp on the canopy is two stress points. One either side. I used spacers where needed but I clamped the sides using a section of angle each side. The fore and aft bow areas were allowed to fall into a natural bend. One hand clamp fore and one aft were all I used to cure.
__________________
Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
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08-04-2020, 10:44 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lebanon, TN
Posts: 275
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Tile spacers from the aviation aisle at Lowe’s worked for me. You can cut these and get four spacers per piece. Space them, super glue them to the frame then when you lay out the Sikaflex bead and clamp the canopy or windscreen in place, you’ll never see them.
__________________
Karl Richcreek
RV-8
N151TK "La Otra Chica"
Flying as of August 14, 2015
TN26
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08-04-2020, 10:47 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,119
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Clarify
Just to clarify, I am doing the final trim now.
It seems to be, the outside edge of the plexiglass is to be even with the outside edge of the fore-aft bows.
This means the plexiglass is not spaced away where the aft hoops and the forward hoop are welded to the for-aft bow, Correct?
So the only 1/8" spacing (gap) would be at the top. And somewhere down the sides of the front and aft hoops, the spacing will need to be reduced?
Correct?
Thanks for the feedback.
__________________
John S
WARNING! Information presented in this post is my opinion. All users of info have sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for their use.
Dues paid 2020, worth every penny
RV9A- Status:
Tail 98% done
Wings 98% done
Fuselage Kit 98% done
Finishing Kit 35% canopy done for now
Electrical 5% in work
Firewall Forward 5% in work
www.pilotjohnsrv9.blogspot.com
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08-04-2020, 11:00 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Worland, Wyoming
Posts: 1,365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PilotjohnS
Just to clarify, I am doing the final trim now.
It seems to be, the outside edge of the plexiglass is to be even with the outside edge of the fore-aft bows.
This means the plexiglass is not spaced away where the aft hoops and the forward hoop are welded to the for-aft bow, Correct?
So the only 1/8" spacing (gap) would be at the top. And somewhere down the sides of the front and aft hoops, the spacing will need to be reduced?
Correct?
Thanks for the feedback.
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Yes this is correct. I think people also get too hung up on the spacing. Keep in mind the tubes you are gluing to are round so there will always be some pretty good thickness in your beads, it just won't be directly above the apex of the curved tubes in some spots.
__________________
Jereme Carne
PPL
RV-7A Emp. done
Wings done
Fuselage done
Finish kit almost done
Exempt but gladly paying!
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08-04-2020, 11:12 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lebanon, TN
Posts: 275
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Can't speak for the -4 or -9 canopy. Here's a picture of how the spacers work on an -8 canopy. For Sikaflex 295, if I remember correctly, the entire seam has to be spaced. That information is backed up by their installation guide. Here's an excerpt straight from Sika:
BOND LINE THICKNESS
After it has set, the adhesive remains flexible. However, if too thinly applied, the adhesive may shear due to the changes in dimension caused by differences in thermal coefficient of expansion between the glazing and the superstructure and also the natural flexing between the glazing and the window frame in the varying sea conditions. Sika’s dimensioning guide provided adjacent to the appropriate procedures determines the depth of spacers required to be placed within the adhesive to keep the distance equal to or greater than the minimum depth required to ensure the reliability and longevity of the adhesive and the bond.
In theory, this provides a flexible bond between the canopy and the frame and if properly fit, should eliminate any stress points.
__________________
Karl Richcreek
RV-8
N151TK "La Otra Chica"
Flying as of August 14, 2015
TN26
Last edited by Carlos151 : 08-04-2020 at 11:16 AM.
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08-04-2020, 12:46 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: LL10, Naperville, IL.
Posts: 68
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I used small pieces of basswood (about 3/16" square) superglued to the front bow when fitting the windshield on my slider. Was easy to sand them thinner as needed to get a flush fit to the canopy.
Stewart Willoughby, 6 painting
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