Canopy Fairing Prep
Many competing priorities these past couple weeks. I've been in the shop multiple days but didn't have much to show for it visually. The canopy is back on the fuselage and is being prepped for its fiberglass fairing. This involved using paper templates to outline the lateral sides of the fairing and a tool created from scrap aluminum with a 2" edge for defining the forward part of the fairing. First a double layer of electrical tape is placed on the canopy 7/8" back from the leading edge. Then using the 2" edge tool and templates as a guide a second double layer of tape is put on the fuselage. This tape is sacrificial, outlines the fairing edges and prevents sanding the fiberglass through to the canopy. Once the tape is in place both aluminum and plexiglass are thoroughly scuffed with 80 grit sandpaper to provide a good purchase for the fiberglass cloth. I also started work on the rain seals that are attached to the canopy.
The completed fairing outline, taped and scuffed. Lead dive weights are placed as needed to ensure the leading edge is touching the metal along its length.
The straight edge shouldn't rock on the canopy edge when sanded correctly.
Trimming the rear rain seal where the canopy attachment screws go.
This section of plexiglass needed to be chamfered and thinned so the overlying fairing in these areas isn't too thick.
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This post is from Scott's RV-14 Build
