Material to cover canopy during construction

[219PB]

I am getting my canopy down from the mezzanine in my shop to install on the RV-6a. My kit is an orphan that has been through 3 owners and several moves. I am thinking about removing all of the protective plastic covering prior to installing so that I can fully inspect for any damage. I would hate to complete the installation, remove the protective covering and then find that I have some damage. It would be bad enough to have to purchase a new canopy but have to reinstall would really suck!

I have a couple of questions:

1. Has anyone removed their protective covering and found damage that was not apparent before removal?

2. If I remove, what is the recommended material to protect the canopy during the installation? I am worried about using material that might be detrimental to the plexiglass. I have a roll of the blue plastic that is used to cover aluminum sheets.

[rightrudder]

Hey Paul,

No damage to my canopy whatsoever beneath the plastic.

During assembly, I peeled some of the plastic back for making cuts, etc. and wanted to recover it. So i found some clear plastic film at Lowe's that has a very light adhesive, used for protecting carpet during open houses, etc. Found it in the painting section.

[airguy]

Don't use paper-backed tape on the exposed plexiglass for long (masking tape, painters tape, etc).

I had quite a bit of the blue painters tape on mine, it sat for most of 2 years and the adhesive dries out over time, it becomes very difficult to remove.

[longranger]

I used to hear of a product called "Spraylat". All I see at Spruce now is this: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...?clickkey=9996

[PilotjohnS]

When I was a kid hanging out at the glider airport in Rosamond, ca, there was a fiberglass glider repair shop. He would brush on a latex like substance on the canopy while the gliders were in the shop. I liked it because it was soft and thick and would absorb an impact if something light struck the canopy.

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by longranger

I used to hear of a product called "Spraylat". All I see at Spruce now is this: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...?clickkey=9996

I've seen an expert applying this to his canopy hi CJ! It worked very good.
I used regular packing stretch plastic after I made my big cut and installed the canopy. It stayed for about three months. Easy to apply on convex not so on concave

[219PB]

Thanks for everyone's replies. One step at a time.

[RV3bpilot]

Why not try some stretch wrap. The original protective plastic seemed to come off easy so why not re-apply the same type of material.
I left my protective plastic on until I was done with just about everything.

[wirejock]

Maybe call Jeff Rogers, Airplane Plastics. He makes the canopies.
Very friendly and helpful when I was ordering my finish kit. Sent me samples and described the merits of each.
937-669-2677