Ok, after much research (thanks Mickey and Mike) and deliberation, the decision was made to glue the canopy on my -8 as opposed to riveting.
Following Sikaflex's instructions, all went well until the next morning when I decided to test the strength of the glue. Gently pulling on a corner of the canopy, it easily separated from the frame.....and I mean easily. This cannot be good.
More research, more questions, and more phone calls to the tech guys at Sikaflex (who were great , by the way) and we concluded that the canopy rail needed to be sanded, cleaned & primed before gluing. On a side note, I might mention the fact that the instructions clearly say to apply to painted surfaces without sanding and priming.
Anyway, I thought I would pass on this little bit of information to anyone contemplating the glue route (which by the way, is much easier). Common sense told me to buff up the powdercoating, but being a good soldier, I followed directions.
The canopy now? All is well. Easily cut thru the bead of glue, cleaned everything up, then reapplied....so far so good. (i.e., no cracks yet)
FWIW
Hwood
Following Sikaflex's instructions, all went well until the next morning when I decided to test the strength of the glue. Gently pulling on a corner of the canopy, it easily separated from the frame.....and I mean easily. This cannot be good.
More research, more questions, and more phone calls to the tech guys at Sikaflex (who were great , by the way) and we concluded that the canopy rail needed to be sanded, cleaned & primed before gluing. On a side note, I might mention the fact that the instructions clearly say to apply to painted surfaces without sanding and priming.
Anyway, I thought I would pass on this little bit of information to anyone contemplating the glue route (which by the way, is much easier). Common sense told me to buff up the powdercoating, but being a good soldier, I followed directions.
The canopy now? All is well. Easily cut thru the bead of glue, cleaned everything up, then reapplied....so far so good. (i.e., no cracks yet)
FWIW
Hwood