Day 175

Now that the SikaFlex has had a chance to cure out, we smoothed out the panel with body filler. This is done by first abrading the surface that is to have body filler applied with 80 grit sandpaper. Next, using masking tape, masking edges and areas your not wanting body filler spread. Using a putty blade a thin layer is spread over the rivets, taking special care that it is squeezed down into the rivet mandrill holes and then smoothed off. After it is cured, sanding it away smooth. We then went along the whole leading edge applying a skim coat and sanding it so that the whole leading edge is perfectly smooth. Afterwards going back with 220 grit sandpaper to knock down most of the larger scratches to minimize shrinkage in the finish later. Once the motor cowlings are fitted, we’ll then spray primer on the whole top skin to fill in the scratches and make the whole thing smooth.

To that end, we started fitting the motor cowling pieces. This is done first be matching them up and getting them to fit up together. Next week make a jig for the prop spinner that will hold the cowlings in place in the front. Then we’ll begin matching the back edge to fit the fuselage.