Door Seals: Traditional or Aftermarket?

[RudiGreyling]

Originally Posted by Andylaw

Rudi - I have just installed the Mcmaster Carr seals and as far as I am concerned they are far superior to the Vans stock seals. You are welcome to come and look!!

Andy Lawrence
RV 10 South Africa

Fantastic, I want too come have a look!

[Danny7]

has anyone used inflatable seals? they are common in the Lancair planes.

[Deems Davis]

Originally Posted by Danny7

has anyone used inflatable seals? they are common in the Lancair planes.

I had inflatable seals on a Baron, and the McMaster Carr seals, properly installed,are every bit as tight as the pneumatic seals without the cost/maintenance.
I was reluctant to go with these, but having done it. w/ 120 hrs I wouldn't even consider doing anything else.

[TSwezey]

I didn't really like the looks of Vans seal at first but we have never had any problems with them.

[yooper]

We're going for a combination of Pink and Green diagrams. Namely, not trimming the door frame edge (like Green), but using a one piece modern foam seal (like Pink). Ours will be attached to the door itself.

Aircraftdoorseals.com sold us their standard door seal and after we requested it, some additional material that is a little thinner, for tighter spots.

We'll let you know how it goes when we fly in June . . .

Tim D-T
40025

[Ron B.]

Just about finished , (final time , that feels good) with our doors. They are painted inside and out, the McMaster carr seals are on but not glued. We have Sean's third latch installed (less split pin) in the pilot's door . We still have the plastic catch to mount on the co-pilot's door-sil but it is also mounted for the final time also. The doors are still stiff to close, but make a very tight seal ( at least for now). We are really pleased with the outcome of our door install. The gap all around is fairly uniform, the door is flush with the cabin. They were a lot of work but should be worth it.
Thanks to those that pointed out and providing the part # for the door seal, and to Sean for what looks to be a perfict solution for closing the doors and keeping them closed.
Speaking of keeping the doors closed, how would one escape from an inverted RV-10 (on the ground obviously)? Would you expect to be able to kick out (weld-on and a very thin layer of glass holding them in) the windows?
Ron

[ddnebert]

I ordered the McMaster Carr seal that has a clip and a side mounted rubber tube, as recommended by others in the forum. I cut it all to size and pushed it on all around the door on the cabin top lip, but in the case of both doors, it seems to push the doors almost 1/4" above the pin latch positions, so that the doors will not close.

Any suggestions based on similar experiences?

Doug.

[Pat Stewart]

Last weekend I glued on the vans door seals. Sunday night I took them back off and ordered the MC seal. The vans seal was not good. The MC seals showed up and I have installed them. Fantastic fit and finish, I also really like how the pinch welt closes out the cabin edge. This should be the seal vans uses.

My new problem: Vans seal would not allow my doors to even come close to closing. The MC seals are very close but I am still about 1/8" from closing the doors. I spent a lot of time getting my doors fit and finish perfect. Looks like I will be doing that again. Anyone else have this problem.

Pat

[RONSIM]

when you get your project to your Florida location. The aluminum, the fiberglass and the tires will absorb our wonderful humidity and grow about 10%!

Ron

[Pat Stewart]

Pretty hot and humid here in lower Alabama (LA) as well. These doors have turned out to be the most difiicult part of the project.

Pat