Bubblehead
Well Known Member
My 450 hr 7 year old -8 came complete with some delaminations of the inside surface of the lower cowling. I just changed to a AWI 4-into-1 exhaust and want to reapir these areas and then protect the lower cowl from heat. I've read some other threads on the forum about reflective tape, etc., but I'm more concerned about the F/G repair.
I didn't build this plane, but I have a lot of experience with Epoxy and glass, having built most of the airframe on a Long-EZ. (That's another story for another time) I started repairing the cowl last night by cutting away the bubbled up fabric and then using a sanding disk to feather back the edges to where the skin is still bonded to the honey comb core.
I then lightly sanded the entire interior surface and wiped it down with thinner, which I will follow up with alcohol. This morning I mixed up some Aeropoxy and dabbed it in various places to test compatibility with the existing skin and core.
My question has to do with the new layup over the core. I think core usually is laminated with prepreg and vacuum bagged and I won't be able to do that here. I think they also use some thickened epoxy rolled on the core before the skin is put into place.
Can anyone offer some suggestions for good technique dealing with the honey comb core?
I didn't build this plane, but I have a lot of experience with Epoxy and glass, having built most of the airframe on a Long-EZ. (That's another story for another time) I started repairing the cowl last night by cutting away the bubbled up fabric and then using a sanding disk to feather back the edges to where the skin is still bonded to the honey comb core.
I then lightly sanded the entire interior surface and wiped it down with thinner, which I will follow up with alcohol. This morning I mixed up some Aeropoxy and dabbed it in various places to test compatibility with the existing skin and core.
My question has to do with the new layup over the core. I think core usually is laminated with prepreg and vacuum bagged and I won't be able to do that here. I think they also use some thickened epoxy rolled on the core before the skin is put into place.
Can anyone offer some suggestions for good technique dealing with the honey comb core?