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Canopy seals before or after first flight / paint?

Brett H

Active Member
My intention is to have the exterior painted after the first flight and completing the flight testing.

Based on this, should the canopy seals be installed before or after flying and painting?

Likewise, should the installation of the wing root seals also be delayed?

Thanks.

Brett H
Columbus, Indiana
 
Definitely wait until after painting for the wing root gaskets and side seals aft of the canopy pivot points.. Don’t know how one could do a good job painting with them installed. I flew mine 20 hrs before painting.
 
Thanks for the responses.

To make sure I understand your response about flying without the canopy seals, you are referring to the thick foam seals between canopy frame / fuselage AND the the other seals (i.e. under the forward fiberglass, under the sides of the canopy frame and behind the rear roll bar). Correct?

Thanks.

Brett H
 
I pre painted my canopy frame before assembly and tinted my epoxy to match my interior colors so the only canopy gaskets I waited to install after paint were ones on the sides behind the pivot points.
 
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