Back to windshield re-installation. We decided to use a "Fuel tank" sealer under the lower strip, after trying a thick piece of electrical tape like the factory used. The .030" tape we could find was useless, so it became obvious to use current day sealers. Mixed up the polytube and squeezed it out manually, as I didn't have an air gun, but it worked for what little we were doing. Clamped the strip down and it has cured out now, will certainly be watertight.
Sealer
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Lay a thin bead
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Rivets, cleco, and bolts/nuts to hold while curing
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Rear windows used rubber seal around them, cleco'd awaiting rivets
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Installing the door seals we got from the club. Used black weatherstrip adhesive and a million clamps. Has to "loosen" the door strikers on the plane at first to "train" the rubber, but they're closing now.
Take your time
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Door installed
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Visited Sparta airport in Sparta Mi yesterday, coupla nice 120/140s there. I was a build/retore judging event, and the most perferct day for flying. The Pietenpol was my favorite!
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Air Camper
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Finishing the installation. And thanks to Aerowerk for advice. Used strip caulk at the bottom on the shield, new felt at top and sides. Put a little water on the felt and it slid into the channels perfectly. A million bolts later, it's re-installed!
Thin bead on the inside
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Helper A&P Ray putting strip caulk on the outer strip
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Bolting in
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Little bit of scraping will be required to clean off excess caulk
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On to rebuilding the tail leaf spring. Rubber abrasion pads are shot, and in the wrong position as I disassemble. Getting help from fellow members on the reassy.
Tail leaf spring
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Abrasion pad not in the correct position
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Underside
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With the windshield and D-windows now installed, we're screaming toward painting of the fuselage before cold weather hits us here in Michigan. Young helper Greg and I have about 15 man hours preparing the fuse for acid etch, alodine, and epoxy prime. Will use PTI polyurethane for topcoat, they have been more than helpful and responsive to inquiries. More on them soon. Pivotal work coming up.
Back in the rotisserie for fuse prep for paint
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In prep
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Ready for etch clean and alodine. Will have a crew of 4 with gloves and protective stuff on, and we'll wet down the metal with DX533 and rinse, then DX503 alodine. Easy stuff.
Ready for etch clean!
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Etch clean and alodine complete! Thanks to Jeff Tourt for the guidance on how to do this. Used a pump-up sprayer and 4 of us to get the job done. Was the perfect evening, in the 60's and shaded, easy to keep the fuse wetted. Alodine was applied with sponges. Looks fantastic, ready for Epoxy prime now.
Protective gear!
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Application items
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Opened the doors up afterwards to rinse down the belly inside.
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The crew. A&P Ray, Young helper Greg and Wife Karen.
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On to epoxy prime. Dried the fuse inside and out ovenight, then back to masking for PTI Epoxy prime. Working against time up here in the north... paint booth has no heated make-up air. Masked the interior red that I painted previously, I'd cry big crockodile tears if overspray got inside the fuse and on that previous work, worth the time to cover interior panel work and glass. Using the PTI sandable epoxy primer, so far shot the vert stab to try it out, sprays very well, we'll see how it sands. Will prime the fuse today!
Re-masking for primer/paint
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Including the interior!
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Some "Aerodynamic Filler".
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Vert Stab in the booth for PTI epoxy prime
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