Painted Canopy

[glenn654]

Does anyone have any pictures of RV w/ the top the the canopy painted?
If so, please post or tell me how I can see them.
Thinking of a look like some SX-300s I've seen.


Glenn Wilkinson

[Michael White]

Originally Posted by glenn654

Does anyone have any pictures of RV w/ the top the the canopy painted?
If so, please post or tell me how I can see them.
Thinking of a look like some SX-300s I've seen.


Glenn Wilkinson

Glenn,
Here are a couple of pictures I took at LOE 2005, of Mel and Ann Asbury coming in. Hope this helps you out.






Best,

[WingsOnWheels]

I have been in Mel's RV-6 and the painted canopy does not obstruct forward or side vision at all. Unless you strech your neck, vision upward it very good. I can image it is very nice on a sunny day...

[glenn654]

Thanks Moose, that's just what I had in mind.
If anyone has any others I'd like to see those too.
Looks like a good mod.

Glenn Wilkinson
RV-4
N654RV @ MLJ

Hey Mel,
If you are here, Did you paint the inside or outside of the plexi?

[N130WN]

I've thought about doing this using vinyl "window perf".

See through to some degree and less permanent. Anyone else?

[erich weaver]

Not sure, but your "window perf" may have some form of adhesive on it that is fine for glass, but not good for plexi. As an alternative, consider a tinted static cling windo shade. It can be cut to size and applied with a squeegy and an alcohol/water solution and a few drops of a clear or white liquid soap. Works great and dirt cheap.

erich

[L.Adamson]

I wouldn't do it! I'd much rather use a collapsible shade that's available for RV's. I have one. There are just too many times where a full canopy has it's benefits. All depends on time of year, the sun, etc. Personally, I prefer the open canopy in the pattern. I don't want to feel like I'm landing a Cessna where the runway may briefly disappear. I've also flown over high mountain areas at -6 degrees F., where the "see around & over" canopy acted like a comfortable greenhouse, while affording a much better view. Permanent style hardtop..........no way!

L.Adamson

[sprucemoose]

What Larry said!

With all due respect to Mel and others who have done this, I think it is a bad idea. It is very permanent solution to a very temporary problem. The Koger sun shade is very popular and will accomplish the same thing, but is easily retractable during the 50-80% of the time when it is not needed or even desireable.

[ShadesOfGray]

It's funny to me how much more civilized the airplane looks with the painted canopy. It looks more like an airliner and less like an aerobatic plaything.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by ShadesOfGray

It's funny to me how much more civilized the airplane looks with the painted canopy. It looks more like an airliner and less like an aerobatic plaything.

It does at that! I'd almost expect to see two more people sitting in the back!

L.Adamson