Scott DellAngelo
Well Known Member
Man I am sick of the canopy. After hours and hours and hours of fitting I decided I had done enough and it was time to drill. Everything was fairly tight with just a tad of space in the front 8" or so in the center (1/32" or less gap). I figured I would (still will?) put some aluminum tabs to hold down similar to what I have seen on Checkoway and others websites. Well I taped the snot out of it and drilled it Tuesday night. Upon removing all the tape, the front area basically sits down, but as the canopy curves around it is no longer contacting the skin on either side (i'm guessing almost a 1/4"). I can only figure that as I clecoed the canopy and it was getting tight with the side rails it started bending the whole thing in and forcing that bend from no longer contacting. I bet I am not the first to do this so hopefully someone has some advice.
Now the question is what should I do?
I am thinking to still maybe use a couple aluminum tabs across the very front to hold it, and then use epoxy with microballons (no clue what I am really saying here as I haven't really ever played with fiberglass, epoxy, any of that stuff before) to fill the gap. Then the usual fiberglass to blend from skin to canopy. Also if I do this should I be trying to actually "glue" the canopy to skin or should I be just filling the gap without bonding the two pieces together?
It's disheartening to seemingly have messed this up. Took yesterday off from working and went flying instead since we actually had good weather for once and recharge the building batteries.
Thanks,
Scott
#90598 Canopy
N598SD reserved
Now the question is what should I do?
I am thinking to still maybe use a couple aluminum tabs across the very front to hold it, and then use epoxy with microballons (no clue what I am really saying here as I haven't really ever played with fiberglass, epoxy, any of that stuff before) to fill the gap. Then the usual fiberglass to blend from skin to canopy. Also if I do this should I be trying to actually "glue" the canopy to skin or should I be just filling the gap without bonding the two pieces together?
It's disheartening to seemingly have messed this up. Took yesterday off from working and went flying instead since we actually had good weather for once and recharge the building batteries.
Thanks,
Scott
#90598 Canopy
N598SD reserved