Window to cowl gap repair.

[searv6]

Hey, I have this unsightly and pretty leaky gap between the cowl and the window.

The previous owner filled it with some black goop but it inevitably drys up and cracks off due to vibration.

The real answer would be to create a new cowl and bond it properly to the window.


But what could be an interim solution?
What's the proper goop? Can I then put an 2 inches of vinyl wrap to protect it from UV and keep it together for a bit longer? Bad idea?

 

[JonJay]

This is your windscreen fairing that gets laid up on the front fuselage and windscreen.
It has delaminated. I would do some probing and see how deep it is delaminated. There should be mechanical fasteners, tabs, that help secure the windscreen under the layup but if it is deeply delaminated, it needs a repair.
Sikaflex is a good flexible adhesive that could be injected into the gap. It requires a primer but that could be “swabbed”’ in.
Sika is relatively easy to remove when you’re ready to do a full repair, if you need to, but you might get away with it as a more permanent solution. Mask off the windscreen about 1/8”-1/4” above the fairing ao you can form a nice filet.
I would try this as your fairing doesn’t look to bad and the Sika will make it look much better and secure.

 

[searv6]

This is your windscreen fairing that gets laid up on the front fuselage and windscreen.
It has delaminated. I would do some probing and see how deep it is delaminated. There should be mechanical fasteners, tabs, that help secure the windscreen under the layup but if it is deeply delaminated, it needs a repair.
Sikaflex is a good flexible adhesive that could be injected into the gap. It requires a primer but that could be “swabbed”’ in.
Sika is relatively easy to remove when you’re ready to do a full repair, if you need to, but you might get away with it as a more permanent solution. Mask off the windscreen about 1/8”-1/4” above the fairing ao you can form a nice filet.
I would try this as your fairing doesn’t look to bad and the Sika will make it look much better and secure.

Thanks, I'm going to pick some easier fiberglass projects before I tackle this window Cowl so a temporary fix is just what I was looking for.

Sikaflex 209d and 295? I have used 295 before but never a primer before hand.

 

[JonJay]

Thanks, I'm going to pick some easier fiberglass projects before I tackle this window Cowl so a temporary fix is just what I was looking for.

Sikaflex 209d and 295? I have used 295 before but never a primer before hand.

Not sure. Perhaps somebody else knows or others could recommend a different adhesive/sealant. I used it under my metal windscreen fairings but that was 20 years ago!
You might have to research a bit.

 

[0302lj]

Hey, I have this unsightly and pretty leaky gap between the cowl and the window.

The previous owner filled it with some black goop but it inevitably drys up and cracks off due to vibration.

The real answer would be to create a new cowl and bond it properly to the window.


But what could be an interim solution?
What's the proper goop? Can I then put an 2 inches of vinyl wrap to protect it from UV and keep it together for a bit longer? Bad idea?

Read this

Easy Slider: Part 2 - KITPLANES

Preparing a fiberglass canopy skirt and windshield fairing for prime time.

www.kitplanes.com