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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Greg L Bahrman on July 28, 2007, 07:00:53 PM
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I don't know what happened, maybe the heat here in So. Ca. especially in the garage. Canopy looked fine when it was finished. I went in the garage the other day and it was distorted all to heck. So I removed it and will replace it with another. DANG IT !! The new one is a little shorter than the original so I have to fill the old groove where it was and re-do it.
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You wont want to hear this but if it was me, I would just carve a wood one sense it's black anyway.
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Greg, did you spray paint the canopy after installation?
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Dick,
No.....Actually I sprayed the inside black before installation. Except I taped the edges where it was glued to the fuse. There was nothing on the outside.
Robert,
That's a good idea I never thought of that.
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Greg, It's a bummer about the canopy. I woder if moisture in a sealed area like that might expand and distort it when it heats up. How about putting a pilot in the new one?
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Greg, It's a bummer about the canopy. I woder if moisture in a sealed area like that might expand and distort it when it heats up. How about putting a pilot in the new one?
...who will, do what? Absorb said trapped moisture? Hold the canopy against distortion? Ummmm, if all else fails, eject through it? Inquiring minds want to know the mechanics of this solution. (Appropriate HappyFace here)
--Ray
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Well Ray, There is humidity inside the plane ( I'm sure you've seen canopies fog up at the circle). Since the canopy is an open space, sealed plus painted black, it can get pretty hot in there. The expanding air could possibly distort the canopy if it builds up enough pressure.
When I have a canopy that fogs I drill a 1/32 hole in it somewhere to let the gasses escape.
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Well, I meant, what does the pilot have to do with it? Just the way you put that reply together tickled me, as if the pilot was part of the solution. I could picture a little guy with a Windex bottle and a paper towel, scrubbing away on the inside of the canopy. No answer necessary, just goofing around.
--Ray
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I got the canopy painted on the inside and the old groove filled (Super-Fil) where I had to dremel around the old canopy to remove it. Carbon mat over the wood area. Maybe sand it tomorrow and fit the new one in place.
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Well Ray, There is humidity inside the plane ( I'm sure you've seen canopies fog up at the circle). Since the canopy is an open space, sealed plus painted black, it can get pretty hot in there. The expanding air could possibly distort the canopy if it builds up enough pressure.
When I have a canopy that fogs I drill a 1/32 hole in it somewhere to let the gasses escape.
AMEN AND AMEN...RIGHT ON! Frank...EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ALLOW FOR VENTING...ESPECIALLY ON A NEW FINISH AS IT TAKES TIME-TIME-TIME. The air temp increases...SO DOES THE GASSIN' OFF OF THINNERS ETC! When all that pressure builds up inside that small bubble---------AMAZINGLY UGLY THINGEEES CAN HAPPEN!!!
Ben Madsen (an amazingly gifted scale model builder, and painter) gave me that tip years ago...that a hole to the outside usually is not necessary.....if some escape area in the canopy is open to the inner fuselage area....and any moisture or thinner gassing should easily find its pathway out of the fuselage at some point...n'allthatjazz :P ~^
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I finally got the new canopy mounted. Not quite done but close. I need to sand around the canopy and apply another layer of super fil to smooth out the highs and lows. Then I think we will be good to go. This new canopy is a little shorter by approx. 3/4 inch or so. Actually I think I like the looks a little better.
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Well we're getting a little closer to finishing this repair project. Boy, adding the primer coats really shows the flaws. Nothing serious just a little more work with the sandpaper.