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
20130822_214953_103.jpg (91.83 KiB) Viewed 6769 times
Lay a thin bead
20130822_204211_132.jpg (68.62 KiB) Viewed 6769 times
Rivets, cleco, and bolts/nuts to hold while curing
20130822_212833_876.jpg (80.98 KiB) Viewed 6769 times
Rear windows used rubber seal around them, cleco'd awaiting rivets
20130822_214829_385.jpg (63.92 KiB) Viewed 6769 times
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
20130818_170128_139.jpg (72.39 KiB) Viewed 6768 times
Door installed
20130818_224024_920.jpg (65.89 KiB) Viewed 6768 times
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!
20130824_103257_113.jpg (79.08 KiB) Viewed 6768 times
20130824_103717_179.jpg (83.24 KiB) Viewed 6768 times
Air Camper
20130824_111824_176.jpg (115.27 KiB) Viewed 6768 times
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
20130827_194505_680.jpg (82.82 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Helper A&P Ray putting strip caulk on the outer strip
20130827_200319_151.jpg (105 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Bolting in
20130827_214211_157.jpg (80.43 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Little bit of scraping will be required to clean off excess caulk
20130827_214230_386.jpg (80.8 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
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
20130903_072548_238.jpg (120.82 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Abrasion pad not in the correct position
20130903_072628_141.jpg (75.97 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Underside
20130903_072647_124.jpg (123.76 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
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
20130905_213146_396.jpg (77.75 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
In prep
20130905_213118_124.jpg (69.52 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
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!
20130912_193553_192.jpg (71.02 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
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!
20130913_173837_795.jpg (76.9 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Application items
20130913_173907_591.jpg (113.6 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Opened the doors up afterwards to rinse down the belly inside.
20130913_194031_101.jpg (79.79 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
The crew. A&P Ray, Young helper Greg and Wife Karen.
20130913_194017_183.jpg (124.7 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
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
20130914_132548_190.jpg (79.75 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Including the interior!
20130914_132521_197.jpg (53 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Some "Aerodynamic Filler".
20130914_134145_122.jpg (51.97 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
Vert Stab in the booth for PTI epoxy prime
20130914_162708_130.jpg (50.84 KiB) Viewed 6764 times
