How would you fix this fairing??

MrNomad · #1 06-04-2010, 01:35 PM

Please look at the photo of the gap between the fairing and the vert stab on our 6A. Our first thought is to apply heat to close the gap but before we attempt this & potentially cook the part, we thought we'd ask for ideas and help.

If you'd prefer to call, please call Barry at 520-797-0265 between 8am and 6pm PST. Everyday is Sat when u r retired.

Thanks.

Brantel · #2 06-04-2010, 01:43 PM

Does it fit tighter down lower? If so can you cut some of it down?

MrNomad · #3 06-04-2010, 01:48 PM

Thanks for the quick reply Brian.

No, it is uniformly spread out from the vert stab.

Our thoughts are to heat it at the center of the curve which should cause the plexi to align with the stab.

How would u solve this?

Barry

Brantel · #4 06-04-2010, 01:52 PM

I did heat mine some to bring it in line. Not sure how bad yours is from the pic. Heat seems to work on small gaps not sure about big ones.

You can just tape off the stab and slather in some flox to fill the gap. Or lay up some glass and squish it all together then sand it back to shape. (This is what I would do)

If it is too bad, you can just cut it off and lay it up again. Several examples of this around.

Some people cut the fronts that over hang the HS off and this lets the whole thing slide further aft. Then they lay up new parts for the front.

JonJay · #5 06-04-2010, 03:02 PM

I tried heat, no luck, sliced mine down the middle, reglassed, filled, filed, sanded, redid, retried, spent 40 or so hours on it,...then ordered one from Fairings Etc. and it fit nearly perfect.

mike newall · #6 06-04-2010, 04:23 PM

Check the photo..................

That is one of theirs

We have similar problems but will warm and stretch or wait until after paint and then silicone

Fairings etc do make good stuff.

MrNomad · #7 06-04-2010, 05:15 PM

Mike is correct. Our unit comes from Bob at Fairings Etc.

One solution I am considering is to grind away material horizontally on the inside along the curve thereby weakening the CURVE which is forcing the upper edge away from the vert stab. Next, I will cut a slit allowing the "flap" to lean towards the vert stab.

Put the fairing on the airplane, tape it into position, glass the weakened joint on the outside, let it harden, remove, glass it on the inside, then grind away the glass on the outside.

Sounds like tummy tuck surgery. This pic has the lines we will work from.
Many thanks. Barry

osxuser · #8 06-04-2010, 05:20 PM

I'd slice it in a way that makes it lay how you want it to lay at the top. Even tape it to the vertical if you have to (I use aluminum tape, works pretty well for that). Then reglass the places you cut it. Pretty general, since I can't tell perfectly from the pics where the problem is exactly. From the look of it you might want to cut it in line with the longitudinal axis of the airplane to make it work.

I think I'll end up doing all my own fairing work when I get there... the fit work makes a custom fairing easy...

MrNomad · #9 06-04-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osxuser

I'd slice it in a way that makes it lay how you want it to lay at the top. Even tape it to the vertical if you have to (I use aluminum tape, works pretty well for that). Then reglass the places you cut it.

AGREED! Of all of the tapes we've experimented with, aluminum tape offers the greatest utility. Instead of slicing the fairing it all the way thru however, I will experiment with grinding away just enough at the joint to allow the wayward portion to lean in towards the VS. Once in place, I will glass it so that it remains that way.

Thank you!