SikaFlex job on my Tipup Canopy!

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:25 am

I thought I should let all of you know that I finally got my website updated, showing all my work with the SikaFlex job on my tipup canopy. I have added lots of pictures and description of my efforts, starting with the final prep work here:

http://www.europa.com/~swayze/RV-7A/Fin ... 20420.html

Here are just a few highlight shots:

After a lot of prep work to get everything ready, the Sika is being applied to the canopy frame:

After the canopy is all in place, smoothing out the filets while the Sika is still soft:

Here's a shot of how it turned out, after 2 days of work, riveting, and cleanup:

Here's a closeup of the side. No more clecos! No holes in this canopy. And no hardware, mon!

How it came out on the interior:

And back on the plane:

Again, these are just a few highlight shots. There's lots more, and a lot more detail in my log pages. Click on the link above if you'd like to see more. I'm pleased with how this is turning out.

I'll have pics soon of the standard fiberglass layups and fairing I'm doing across the front.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:21 am

Bruce,

To sum it up, "WOW"!

You did a remarkanly neat job!

Sika is incredible stuff, huh?

I am thinking of using it in place of epoxy on my wingtips and cowling due to my allergy to the epoxy resin.

Nice work!

CJ

Post by **Spike** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:42 am

Man that is a sweet job! I love how those things look when they are done.

And I am really impressed that you only dirtied one finger in the process.

Spike

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:49 pm

Nice work Bruce!! You gotta be pleased with that!

Joe Parish · Post by **Joe Parish** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 2:29 pm

Very nice work Bruce. I'll be sure and reference your build log when it comes time for me to due my slider.

flywulf · Post by **flywulf** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:27 pm

I have to ask, What is Sika Flex? I have never heard of this product.

ed

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 12:30 pm

flywulf wrote:I have to ask, What is Sika Flex? I have never heard of this product.

ed

Ed, it is SERIOUS CAULK! Not to be confused with Ron Jeremy... Yah, that's different.

see this webpage for the product:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... kaflex_295

It is a single part that requires an adhesion promoter to bond with most surfaces. Adhesion promoters (primers) sold separately.

It IS STRUCTURAL and is used on military vehicles to bond glass, plexi and other panels.

There are different types of product in their line differentiated by product number for different purposes. The 295 UV is for our purposes.

I used it on the leading edge of my canopy where the plexi meets the forward deck and it leaves a toolable, gasket-like seal that is absolutely rock solid!

Does this help?

CJ

Vlad · Post by **Vlad** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:26 pm

Your canopies guys are water tight. I built my by the plans and the thing leaks like crazy. Recently flew through a torrential downpour got so much water through rear window still drying out

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:46 pm

Vlad, is yours leaking at the leading edge of the bubble?

CJ

flywulf · Post by **flywulf** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:48 pm

captain_john wrote:
flywulf wrote:I have to ask, What is Sika Flex? I have never heard of this product.

ed
Ed, it is SERIOUS CAULK! Not to be confused with Ron Jeremy... Yah, that's different.

see this webpage for the product:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... kaflex_295

It is a single part that requires an adhesion promoter to bond with most surfaces. Adhesion promoters (primers) sold separately.

It IS STRUCTURAL and is used on military vehicles to bond glass, plexi and other panels.

There are different types of product in their line differentiated by product number for different purposes. The 295 UV is for our purposes.

I used it on the leading edge of my canopy where the plexi meets the forward deck and it leaves a toolable, gasket-like seal that is absolutely rock solid!

Does this help?

CJ

YES it certainly does help.

I have a slider canopy and it brings another question to mind. Would I still need to make the fiberglass fairing for the windshield on top of the SikaFlex?

I had planned on using the 8802 sealant to seal the windows, but if this is better suited then maybe.....

Ed

Doakes · Post by **Doakes** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:35 pm

Your job really looks nice Bruce, I am sure the rest of the craft is top notch!
Dave

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:06 pm

flywulf wrote:I have a slider canopy and it brings another question to mind. Would I still need to make the fiberglass fairing for the windshield on top of the SikaFlex?

I had planned on using the 8802 sealant to seal the windows, but if this is better suited then maybe.....
Ed

Ed, I went ahead and made the standard fiberglass fairing for the front of the bubble, right over the SikaFlex. It worked great! Prior to doing it, I did some tests to make sure the epoxy resin sticks to the Sika. NO problem! I have a lot of documentation and pics on my website. Feel free to take a look.

Doakes wrote:Your job really looks nice Bruce, I am sure the rest of the craft is top notch!
Dave

Thanks, Dave! Just don't look too close!

RivetBangers.com

SikaFlex job on my Tipup Canopy!

SikaFlex job on my Tipup Canopy!

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